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 20) - arrivals, alberobello and masseria scaledda
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 as well as purchase some wines for our villa, before heading south to Masseria Scaledda our home for four nights (below)
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 as well as purchase some wines for our villa, before heading south to Masseria Scaledda our home for four nights (below)
Masseria Scaledda - our villa for the first four nights
Day 2 (September 21) settle in and melt your jet lag away
Masseria Scaledda , is a fortified farmhouse in Salento, with a sea view, whose origins can be dated back to around 1172 initially as a "defense tower" (built by the Benedictines of Aversa) then restructured and enlarged in 1856 by Raffaele Schiavoni, in a crossroads land of history and civilization.
The ancient Masseria Scaledda is surrounded by splendid natural landscapes with the incredible blue of the sea in the distance which make this farm a masterpiece to be discovered.
Enjoy the day here, or we can head to the nearby beach for a swim in the ocean that afternoon. We enjoy dinner that night at nearby Gusto Primitivo before returning to the Masseria for a good nights sleep
The ancient Masseria Scaledda is surrounded by splendid natural landscapes with the incredible blue of the sea in the distance which make this farm a masterpiece to be discovered.
Enjoy the day here, or we can head to the nearby beach for a swim in the ocean that afternoon. We enjoy dinner that night at nearby Gusto Primitivo before returning to the Masseria for a good nights sleep
Day 3 - (SEPTEMBER 22) 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 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 for a swim in the ocean before returning to the Masseria
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 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 for a swim in the ocean before returning to the Masseria
the beach at Porto Cesaro
day 4 (September 23) - lecce
Lecce piazza
We will visit Lecce today. 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.
On the way back we stop at the dramatic CASTELLO MONACI (below). for a wine tasting and quick look at this lovely castle. Then back to 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.
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.
On the way back we stop at the dramatic CASTELLO MONACI (below). for a wine tasting and quick look at this lovely castle. Then back to 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.
Castello Monaci
day 5 (SEptember 24) - 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 Hotel Basiliani 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 Baccanti, 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 Hotel Basiliani 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 Baccanti, a favourite restaurant of mine for a regionally inspired dinner.
The massive and majestic Villa Cappelli
DAY 6 (SEPTEMBER 25) 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 26) BARI
The fifth largest metropolitan area in Italy is filled with vibrancy and unique experiences.
We will take the 30 minute train 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 and have lunch in a beautiful piazza. After some time for shopping we will train back to Terlizzi with our goodies and enjoy a lovely meal that evening at Villa Cappellli
day 8 - 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. 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
day 9 (September 28) - 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 - 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
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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 |
