Dominique Rizzo | Bespoke Food Tours

Gastronomic Puglia Immersion

Immerse yourself into the Puglia culture, gastronomy and people.

ABOUT GASTRONOMIC PUGLIA TOUR

My passion for all things Italian takes you to some of the lesser travelled places such as the region of Puglia.  Experience the country, sea, and city as we take you on an exciting culinary and cultural journey of Puglia and its surrounding towns.  Situated on the South East Coast of Italy this Food and Wine adventure takes you through some of the regions iconic towns and cities enjoying some of the finest wines, slow food olive oil, cheeses, and specialty products.

Puglia is a travelers’ dream if you want to experience Italian culture and fresh, tasty, local food. Among the dishes that most strongly define the traditional Puglian cuisine is the orecchiette with broccoli rabe,  Apulia focaccia,  Fava Bean Puree and Chicory Greens just to cite a few. 

An Italian food tour is incomplete without wine and the wines of Puglia which are admired and acclaimed worldwide.  A perfect tour if you are wanting to experience a different part of Italy that boast being one of the top travel destinations and the Florence of the South. 

Aside from the beaches and gorgeous sea villages, Puglia has a rich archaeological heritage and boasts 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites: Castel del Monte, Alberobello and the Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo.  Visiting Puglia with us you will discover the real Made in Italy in all its aspects: art,  history, ancient traditions,  events, delicious food and excellent wine.  Enjoy one of the best parts of Italy: Puglia region, located in the south of Italy with its wonderful local food and wine, fascinating landscape and mild climate!

This tour is ideal if you want an unforgettable vacation living the Italian lifestyle and have always wanted to travel to Puglia, but don’t want to travel on your own or deal with all of the arrangements.  To experience as much of Puglia and this region as you can without lifting a finger is easy. Our itinerary will maximize your time so you can experience the many different cultures of this fascinating region.

HIGHLIGHTS

Visit of a local farm with organic hand-made Mozzarella and Apulian cheeses tasting

Apulian cooking class with chef

Apulian cooking class in Masseria with Extra virgin olive oil tasting

Bakery experience in Matera

Visit of a local farmhouse with tasting of Apulian typical food

Visit of a local winery with Apulian wines tasting

Gelato cooking class in typical Italian Gelateria

Pasticciotto tasting in Lecce

Guided walking Tours of Monopoli, Locorotondo, Alberobello UNESCO Site, Bari, Matera UNESCO Site, Ostuni, Lecce, Otranto and Polignano a Mare

Free time to explore, shop and relax and much more…

INCLUSIONS

Fully escorted tour, 14 days, 13 nights in the beautiful scenic surrounds of Puglia,  the Itria Valley and the food bowl of the southern region, forming the heel of Italy’s “boot,”

Specialised escorted service of Chef Dominique Rizzo, Director and Curator of Pure Food, Wine Culture Tours

Air-conditioned private transport with our own private driver and guide

All accommodation and hotel taxes in 4 Star Hotels/Masseria and Spa Resorts selected for their personalised service, amenities, locations and food

All Private, escorted visits and tastings

Meals – All breakfasts are providedlunches and dinners as per the itinerary , some morning/afternoon teas and aperitives are provided as stated– where lunches/dinners are not provided, morning activities, tastings and included lunches and dinners are of ample abundance

Beverages – All beverages with meals including wine, beer, juice, soft drink, tea and coffee are provided

All guided tours as specified in the tour are included and admission to all historical sites, galleries and museums mentioned in the itinerary are included 

All transfers by bus, car, taxi as specified in the tour itinerary are included

NOT INCLUDED

Airfares to Puglia

***** Transfers to and from Airports / Hotels/ Train station on tour start and finish date 

Everything not included in itinerary (Tour Inclusions)

General expenses – phone calls, laundry, room upgrades

Transfers outside of the tour dates, personal transport outside the tour dates, excess baggage, security and government taxes outside the tour dates

Beverages and meals outside of described “Tour Inclusions”

Room service beverages and meals when not participating in the scheduled meals

Hotel City Tax – approximately 2 euro per person per night to pay directly to hotel reception

Travel and medical Insurance

2025 GASTRONOMIC PUGLIA IMMERSION TOUR

Travelling To: Monopoli, Locorotondo,  Alberobello,  Bari, Matera,  Ostuni,  Grottaglie,  Lecce, Otranto,  Gallipoli,  Martina Franca,  Polignano a Mare

GASTRONOMIC PUGLIA TOUR -
3rd SEPTEMBER - 16th SEPTEMBER 2025
14 DAYS
$10900.00 PER PERSON (DOUBLE/TWIN ROOM)
$2000 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
SMALL GROUP 14 - 16 PEOPLE

A TASTE OF THE ITINERARY

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)

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