Gastronomic Puglia Immersion

We start our first day with a guided walking tour of Bari admiring the Old Quarter and the Signoras who still make the famous Orecchiette on the street. Lunch is a typical menu of local street food in one of our guides favourite restaurants. The afternoon and dinner is free for you to ecplore the night life of Bari when the streets come alive. Overnight in Bari. (D)

After breakfast we visit Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site best known for the Sassi di Matera, an ancient city with houses that have been excavated into the rocks and inhabited since the Stone Age. Rupestrian churches, houses, caves, and ancient streets create a unique and suggestive landscape, where Mel Gibson chose to shoot the movie, The Passion of the Christ.

The food experience today will be in a “panetteria” (bakery). We will learn about the ancient way of preparing the dough and rules of baking DOP bread using the local wheat. DOP – Denominazione d’Origine Protetta | Protected Designation of Origin. The DOP label guarantees that your favorite cheese, prosciutto, olive oil, etc., is produced, processed, and packaged in a specific geographical zone and according to tradition. Each step, from production to packaging, is regulated. You will have an opportunity to taste this local specialty and understand why this bread is one of the best in Italy!

We enjoy a fascinating walking tour through the unique and ancient Sassi di Matera and visit the Casa Grotta museum (ancient cave house) fully furnished as it was in the past. We give you the afternoon to wander Matera on your own, sit an relax in a cafe’ enjoy an apperitivo or do a spot of shopping. we return to Bari giving the evening free. (B/L) Overnight in Bari

After checking out, we head out to one of the most photographed beaches and the town famous for its hand made gelato – Polignano a Mare. A characteristic Mediterranean fishing village that stands on a rocky cliff with historic houses and terraces directly overlooking the sea. We take a guided tour through the old center of town then we cool down with a fun gelato tasting and gelato making class. You will learn easy recipes and the best techniques for obtaining authentic Italian gelato. When everything is ready you will enjoy your hand-made gelato of course and a lighty lunch typical of Puglian party food! Our afternoon is a beautiful boat tour looking back at the cliffs of Polingano a Mare. We then drive to Monopoli, a typical Mediterranean fishing village located on the Adriatic Sea. A thriving seaport in Byzantine and Norman times, although its strategic position made it the object of regular attacks by pirates. We meet in the evening for our dinner in one of the local restaurants. Overnight in Monopoli. (B/L/D)