PUGLIA & BASILICATA
Italy’s Best Kept Secret
Pricing Info
starting at
$6995
Per Person / Double Occupancy
International Air Not Included
Dates
lasts for
9 Days / 8 Nights
EXPERIENCE TRADITIONAL SOUTHERN ITALIAN LIFE
If you’ve yearned to discover the “real” Italy, uncrowded and unspoiled, where an ancient lifestyle still connects the locals to the land and to one another, then you’ve arrived at the right tour to Puglia.
You’ll experience first-hand the passion and pride the locals have in their cities and in their traditions, and you’ll be welcomed in their communities like family.
On this nine-day journey to Puglia and Basilicata, you’ll certainly explore this Southern Italian region’s most beautiful cities and experience a centuries-old lifestyle that’s built around simple, healthy food, local wine, and family.
And of course, you’ll travel in complete luxury, staying at boutique hotels that are as well-appointed as they are welcoming.
HIGHLIGHTS
LOCAL CULTURAL IMMERSION
LUXURY ACCOMMODATIONS
GROUP LIMITED TO 20 PEOPLE
ALL HOTELS AND EXCURSIONS PLUS SELECT MEALS
PRIVATE TOURS
ARTISAN CHEESEMAKING / FAMILY DINNER
VINEYARD TOUR & TASTING
OLIVE OIL VINEYARD TOUR & TASTING
LUXURY GROUND TRANSPORTATION
APULIAN COOKINGCLASS
VISIT TO NATALE'S OF LECCE
STAYS IN MATERA, ALBEROBELLO, LECCE
EXCURSIONS TO GALLIPOLI, OTRANTO, POLIGNANO A MARE, OSTUNI, ALBEROBELLO, CISTERNINO & MONOPOLI
ADRIATIC (OR IONIAN) SEA BOAT TOUR
CONCIERGE SERVICE BEFORE AND DURING TOUR
YOUR GUIDE
Sil doesn’t just love Italy, she lives it, as she holds citizenship in Italy, Brazil, and the U.S.
Food
Italy’s top Olive Oil production region, producing over 40% of all Italian Olive Oil. “Zero Kilometer”, culture, emphasizing locally grown, organic ingredients.
Wine
Here you’ll find Italy’s second largest wine producing region. Known for Primitivo red wines & Negroamaro and rosés.
Culture
Home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Matera and Alberobello. Matera is the world’s 4th oldest city, dating to prehistoric times.
SEEING IS BELIEVING
When, Silvana visited the Puglia region to be filmed for a new web series, Destinations Less Known, which inspired her to create this intinerary. Meanwhile, these videos, shared below, give you the chance to see first-hand the region you’ll visit, the culture you’ll experience, and some of the people you’ll meet. We know there are many Puglia region tours available, so we hope these videos help you to see what’s unique about traveling with us.
LECCE
We’ll begin our time in Italy in the stone-washed, romantic province of Lecce. In addition, food will take center stage, as we don’t aprons for a cooking class with locally sourced ingredients with chef Gianna at her historic cooking school.
Moreover, after a delightful lunch, we’ll explore the town square, socialize with local residents, and explore the Baroque town of Lecce, with a local guide.
Lecce is famous for its cuisine, and in particular, its gelato. That is to say there’s nowhere better in all of Lecce for gelato than the famous Natale’s. Perhaps the most difficult part of this trip will be choosing from the multitude of original flavours all hand-crafted with organic, local ingredients.
But don’t take our word for it, watch the video on the left and start planning now.
MATERA
2019 European Culture Capital. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fourth oldest continually inhabited city in the world. Inhabited since prehistoric times, by some of the first humans in Italy. In short, that’s Matera.
Watch on the left to preview what you’ll experience as you tour of one of the most photogenic, well preserved ancient cities in Italy.
Matera is famous for its Sassi, or caves, which have been inhabited for over 25,000 years. In other words, on this tour, you have the opportunity to stay in a modern luxury hotel located in the heart of this ancient area of the city.
You’ll also enjoy a very unique private dinner in an ancient cave, for instance, prepared by a local chef, that will be seven of the most special courses you’ll ever enjoy.
ALBEROBELLO & CISTERNINO
At this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll discover a way of life that dates back centuries. Famous for its cone shaped Truli homes, Alberobello is also famous for its hospitality consequently.
We’ll also visit neighboring Cisternino, a city that dates back to the Bronze Age, that’s remained off the radar of many travelers, and has retained its old world character and style.
In other words, prepare to be charmed by the area’s architecture, history, and the locals, as we were in the video on the right.
Just outside of Alberobello, we’ll pay a visit to the home of Giorgio, an award-winning local artisanal cheesemaker and salumi maker.
At his home farm and dairy, we’ll learn about what the Italians call “zero kilometer”, for example, watch Giorgio practice his cheesemaking craft, and then sample Giorgio’s creations with him in his home.
It doesn’t get more authentic than this.
OTRANTO & GALLIPOLI
THE SALENTO RIVIERA
On this day excursion, we’ll experience life on the sea, in the sun bleached picturesque towns of Otranto and Gallipoli.
Located on a narrow peninsula overlooking the junction between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. We’ll stroll through the quiet, picturesque streets of the walled town, admiring ancient mosaics and local craftsmen.
From Otranto, we’ll continue on to the island-town of Gallipoli, enjoying a local meal by azure waters as a result.
OSTRUNI & POLIGNANO A MARE
We’ll begin the day at Masseria Brancati, a centuries-old Mansion that’s famous for its olive oil, stroll through the ancient grove, once of Puglia’s oldest, learn about the traditional way of growing, milling and pressing this prized local olive oil, and enjoy a tasting of several local varieties.
After that, we continue to Ostuni, the White City, famed for its all white architecture. And to close the tour, we’ll peruse it’s picturesque streets, chat with locals, and if the spirit moves us, do a bit of shopping for local crafts.
MONOPOLI BOAT TOUR
Monopoli is Apulian Italian life at it’s best.
Today, we’ll explore this quiet port town, watch local fisherman come and go, sample the local fare, and explore the 15th century castle of Charles V.
After a local lunch, we’ll head to the center of town and board a traditional Veliero sailing ship, and tour the stunning coastline and the stunning rock formations and caves that stretch along its coast.
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Download the full Day-By-Day Itinerary
To book this tour or to learn more, please fill out the form below, and we’ll email you a copy of the full itinerary with complete hotel, transfer, and travel policy details. We’re also happy to chat by phone or email to provide further information on the tour, and to book your reservations.
By appointment only.
359 Newbury Street
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115
617-221-4242
travel@northstardestinations.com
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Copyright © North Star Destinations 2020