Puglia and Basilicata
Join me in my favourite part of Italy. Far from the madding crowd, with some of the most delicious food and wines in the country... The real Italy
DAY 1 (September 18) - arrivals, alberobello and Castello Monaci
One of Chef Michael's favourite regions of Italy
Your tour begins with Chef Michael Howell meeting you at the Bari Palese Airport (BRI) where the flights usually arrive around 11am. Once arrivals and your baggage have all been accounted for, we will board our vehicle for a short drive to Alberobello.
The city of Trullis (conical shaped houses) is unique in Italy; these houses were originally built in the 2nd century AD so that they could easily be deconstructed when the Roma tax collectors showed up from the north -thus saving the residents a heavy tax!
We have a brief walk around the town and lunch here before heading south to Le Scuderie at Castello Monaci for one night while our villa is prepared for the next day.
Castello Monaci dates from 1500. In this century the story of Castello Monaci begins, as reported in a document of Salice Salentino land register. The castle took its name form the Basilian monks who used it as a place to worship, meditate and give refuge to those who need it.
Then, the noble families chose it as their own residence: from the Martino to the Parry Graniger, up to the Provenzano di Ugento, whose last heir, Mrs. Memmo, is the present castle’s owner.
Six centuries beautifully wore by this fortification, to which history brought many a threat – the last one being during the II World War – yet keeps its charm unaltered and still hedges historic and artistic pieces
We will enjoy a private dinner in the castle on our first night together in Puglia.
Your tour begins with Chef Michael Howell meeting you at the Bari Palese Airport (BRI) where the flights usually arrive around 11am. Once arrivals and your baggage have all been accounted for, we will board our vehicle for a short drive to Alberobello.
The city of Trullis (conical shaped houses) is unique in Italy; these houses were originally built in the 2nd century AD so that they could easily be deconstructed when the Roma tax collectors showed up from the north -thus saving the residents a heavy tax!
We have a brief walk around the town and lunch here before heading south to Le Scuderie at Castello Monaci for one night while our villa is prepared for the next day.
Castello Monaci dates from 1500. In this century the story of Castello Monaci begins, as reported in a document of Salice Salentino land register. The castle took its name form the Basilian monks who used it as a place to worship, meditate and give refuge to those who need it.
Then, the noble families chose it as their own residence: from the Martino to the Parry Graniger, up to the Provenzano di Ugento, whose last heir, Mrs. Memmo, is the present castle’s owner.
Six centuries beautifully wore by this fortification, to which history brought many a threat – the last one being during the II World War – yet keeps its charm unaltered and still hedges historic and artistic pieces
We will enjoy a private dinner in the castle on our first night together in Puglia.
Castello Monaci - the estate where we spend our first night at Le Scuderie and three following nights in their villa - Casina Metrano
poolside at Le Scuderie
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Le Scuderie at Castello Monaci
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Castello Monaci
Day 2 (September 19) settle in and melt your jet lag away
After a relaxing morning over breakfast at Le Scuderie, fort those feeling adventurous, we will take a quick drive to the art city of Grottaglie where we meet a friend of Michaels, Angelo Milano, a working artist. Grottaglie is famous as a city filled with graffiti so we will do a little walking tour to view the various extraordinary pieces of rebellious urban art. Grottaglie is also a famous ceramic city so we will hit the ceramics area before lunch in a nearby family restaurant. after shopping for some provisions, we will make our way back to Castello Monaci and then move over to Casina Metrano where well settle in , enjoy some aperitivi and a light supper under the pergola . Casina Metrano is the private villa on the grounds of Castello Monaci. This elegant five bedroom villa is our home for three nights.
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day 3 (September 20)- Wine tasting and lecce walking tour
Lecce piazza
We'll head out after a leisurely morning for a 20 minute drive to a wonderful local winery Cuturi, represented my my MW friend Michael Palij and some tasty treats , then its on to Lecce
Long considered the ‘Florence of the South’, this art and architecture-resplendant, pedestrian-friendly city is well worth exploring on foot for a couple of hours. You will have a private guide to show you the gems of the city. You will visit the major historic sites, and then continue your exploration on your own for an hour to do some shopping in the many great shops or while the afternoon away with some coffee - the people watching is excellent in this university city. Then we will enjoy a tasty lunch at a traditional favourite.
We make our way back to Castello Monaci and the villa for dinner and a relaxing evening There, Chef Michael will prepare a light pasta dinner with excellent wines to accompany and close out the day.
Day 4 - (SEPTEMBER 21) GALLIPOLI and Porto Cesaro
The island city of Gallipoli
Today we visit the historic city of Gallipoli. According to a legend, the city was founded in ancient times by Idomeneus of Crete. Historically, what is known is that Gallipoli was a city of the Greater Greece, In 265 BC it sided against ancient Rome, suffering a defeat which relegated it to a Roman colony.
In the 11th century Gallipoli was conquered by the Normans and, in 1268, it was besieged by Charles I of Anjou. In 1484 the Venetians tried to occupy it, but without results. King Ferdinand 1 started the construction of the port, which in the 18th century became the largest olive oil market in the Mediterranean. After the unification of Italy (1861), Gallipoli became a regional capital. Today this city is a vibrant fishing port and beautiful tourism centre.
We'll take a morning boat ride around the azure waters that includes a picnic and the opportunity to snorkel if you desire. We'll take guided tour of the city and hit the fish parket for tonights Dinner back at the villa.
On the way home mid afternoon we wil stop at Port Cesaro (so bring your swimsuits - I'll have towels) for a swim in the ocean before returning to the Masseria for a seafood dinner.
In the 11th century Gallipoli was conquered by the Normans and, in 1268, it was besieged by Charles I of Anjou. In 1484 the Venetians tried to occupy it, but without results. King Ferdinand 1 started the construction of the port, which in the 18th century became the largest olive oil market in the Mediterranean. After the unification of Italy (1861), Gallipoli became a regional capital. Today this city is a vibrant fishing port and beautiful tourism centre.
We'll take a morning boat ride around the azure waters that includes a picnic and the opportunity to snorkel if you desire. We'll take guided tour of the city and hit the fish parket for tonights Dinner back at the villa.
On the way home mid afternoon we wil stop at Port Cesaro (so bring your swimsuits - I'll have towels) for a swim in the ocean before returning to the Masseria for a seafood dinner.
the beach at Porto Cesaro
day 5 (SEptember 22) - matera
Matera and The Sassi at sunset
We bid the Salento Plains goodbye and make our way to Basilicata and the city of Matera, one of the world’s most extraordinary World UNESCO heritage sites. 1000’s of years ago, early humans built dwellings in caves in the sides of this river gorge. They lived and grew food here, the dwellings have survived all this time (many inhabited up until the 1960's!) and Matera, a new and modern city, has grown on top of the ravine.
We will fend off our hunger with a stop for a pizza luncheon then check into our hotel Palazotto Residence and Winery for one night after which we will spend the afternoon exploring the Sassi with a local guide .
Late afternoon you can relax back at the hotel before we hit a favourite restaurant of mine for a regionally inspired dinner.
We will fend off our hunger with a stop for a pizza luncheon then check into our hotel Palazotto Residence and Winery for one night after which we will spend the afternoon exploring the Sassi with a local guide .
Late afternoon you can relax back at the hotel before we hit a favourite restaurant of mine for a regionally inspired dinner.
The massive and majestic Villa Cappelli
DAY 6 (SEPTEMBER 23) VILLA CAPPELLI
We leave Matera and head to Puglia and Villa Cappelli (above). The 12,000 sq foot villa is located just outside the small city of Terlizzi, directly on the original Appian Way, the world's first superhighway from Brindisi to Rome. This magnificent villa is our home for the next five nights. We will check into the villa, find our rooms and then enjoy a welcome cocktail or glass of local Nero Di Troia wine made by host Steven Crutchfeld and Nino. A quick dip in the pool?
After we have settled in, made our introductions and toured the villa, we will enjoy a simple dinner of outstanding Pizza and local specialties in Terlizzi, our local town about 2km from the Villa before retiring
We leave Matera and head to Puglia and Villa Cappelli (above). The 12,000 sq foot villa is located just outside the small city of Terlizzi, directly on the original Appian Way, the world's first superhighway from Brindisi to Rome. This magnificent villa is our home for the next five nights. We will check into the villa, find our rooms and then enjoy a welcome cocktail or glass of local Nero Di Troia wine made by host Steven Crutchfeld and Nino. A quick dip in the pool?
After we have settled in, made our introductions and toured the villa, we will enjoy a simple dinner of outstanding Pizza and local specialties in Terlizzi, our local town about 2km from the Villa before retiring
DAY 7 (SEPTEMBER 24) BARI
The fifth largest metropolitan area in Italy is filled with vibrancy and unique experiences.
We will drive from Terlizzi into Bari for a walking day of this 2200 year old city. Lovely shopping promenades lead us to the old city port side where we see Nonnas making orrechiette by hand (we will buy some for dinner tonight) and then visit the Duomo After some time for shopping we will drive 30 minutes to MONOPOLI for an extraordinary lunch at Grotta Palazzese.
after a leisurely lunch we will make out way back to villa cappelli for a light supper that evening
day 8 (SEPTEMBER 25)- enjoy villa cappelli
We will spend a day resting and relaxing at Villa Cappelli. Enjoy reading a book by the pool, take a stroll along the Appian Way, pick fresh figs from the nearby grove that we will incorporate into tonights dinner, or explore the Cave of Priapus on the grounds. Either ways its a little Dolce Vita in Italy day. We will likely run into Terllizzi for a shop at the markets. Michael will be cooking for the afternoon so you are welcome to come into the kitchen and learn about Italian food and wine in the process. That night its a celebratory Porchetta for dinner
day 9 (September 26) - Castel DEl monte and a Slow Food lunch
Castel Del Monte
After breakfast its off to Castel Del Monte (pictured at left), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and arguably the most beautiful castle in all of Italy. We enjoy a guided tour and take in the splendid views from this mountain top castle built in the 1400's
We then make our way to Montegrosso and Michelin starred Ristorante Antichi Sapori (pictured below). Chef Pietro Zito has been helming the stoves of this fantastic restaurant for 30 years and it is one of Michaels favourite in Italy. We will need to come with an empty stomach as we enjoy a leisurely 7 course Slow Food luncheon of La Cucina Typiche with plenty of their engaging local wines.
We return to the villa for a light supper that evening
We then make our way to Montegrosso and Michelin starred Ristorante Antichi Sapori (pictured below). Chef Pietro Zito has been helming the stoves of this fantastic restaurant for 30 years and it is one of Michaels favourite in Italy. We will need to come with an empty stomach as we enjoy a leisurely 7 course Slow Food luncheon of La Cucina Typiche with plenty of their engaging local wines.
We return to the villa for a light supper that evening
The Dining Room at Antichi Sapori, Montegrosso
day 10 (SEPTEMBER 27) - Torrevento winery and The smallest street in ItalyOn our last full day in Puglia we will enjoy a leisurely morning and get some prep done for our final meal that night - a PORCHETTA dinner. But first we will head to Torrevento Winery about 30 minutes away for a wine tasting and lunch, and then make our way to the city of Andria for a walk in this charming gritty city including the narrowest street in Italy. Finally, it's back to Villa Cappelli for a last night of revelry
DAY 11 - SEPTEMBER 28 - DEPARTURES
TRY TO ARRANGE YOUR FLIGHTS FROM BARI AFTER 12-NOON |
DAY 11 - DEPARTURES We make our way to Bari Airport for 11 am for flights home or elsewhere COST: US$4995/PPDO single supplement $US 500 11 days/10 nights all inclusive Meals, wines and beverages, tips, travel and accommodations Please check out some of our other tours for return visits to Italy in the future |
