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 13) - Arrivals at Villa Cappelli
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 the short 20 minute transfer to Villa Cappelli. 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 four 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 Paul Cappelli and Nino. A quick dip in our pool? To get the jet lag over with, a little time for rest and relaxation is part of this afternoon’s itinerary. We may choose to go and get some advance breakfast items in town on a brief expedition.
After we have settled in, made our introductions and toured the villa, we will enjoy a simple dinner of outstanding Pugliese specialties in Terlizzi, our local town about 2km from the Villa before retiring
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 the short 20 minute transfer to Villa Cappelli. 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 four 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 Paul Cappelli and Nino. A quick dip in our pool? To get the jet lag over with, a little time for rest and relaxation is part of this afternoon’s itinerary. We may choose to go and get some advance breakfast items in town on a brief expedition.
After we have settled in, made our introductions and toured the villa, we will enjoy a simple dinner of outstanding Pugliese specialties in Terlizzi, our local town about 2km from the Villa before retiring
The massive and majestic Villa Cappelli
Day 2 (September 14) - Cheese making expedition and bari
First thing Sunday morning, for those inclined, we will drive with Paul Cappelli up into the Murgia hills and visit a fantastic dairy farm, Masseria Carone, and see fresh mozzarella being made. Then we will purchase some and bring it back to our villa for dinner later that evening. After our quick pit stop we will pick up anyone who wanted to sleep in or chill out, and make a foray into the capital city of the region Bari for a walk around the old historical centre (where we can watch old ladies still making traditional orrechiette pasta by hand) and then a light lunch.
Mid afternoon and then we return to the villa. Michael will conduct a cooking session for those inclined. Alternatively you may relax by the pool or enjoy a historical walk of the Villa Cappelli property with host Paul. At 8pm we will enjoy the repast prepared by Michael and helpers on the Loggia with smooth Italian jazz and local wines.
Mid afternoon and then we return to the villa. Michael will conduct a cooking session for those inclined. Alternatively you may relax by the pool or enjoy a historical walk of the Villa Cappelli property with host Paul. At 8pm we will enjoy the repast prepared by Michael and helpers on the Loggia with smooth Italian jazz and local wines.
day 3 (September 15) - Tormaresca winery and Castel DEl monte
Castel Del Monte
We have lots on the go today so a relatively early start is in order. Breakfast in
the kitchen and then we make our way to Tormaresca Winery, owned by the illustrious Antinori Family of Tuscany. This is their Puglia estate and no grander winery can be found in all of Italy. We will enjoy a tasting of their estate wines and a tour of the complex.
We then make our way to Montegrosso and Michelin starred Ristorante Antichi Sapori. We will need to come with an empty stomach as we enjoy a leisurely multi course luncheon of La Cucina Typiche with plenty of their engaging local wines.
Then its off to Castel Del Monte (pictured at left), to walk off the lunch - its a a world UNESCO Heritage Site and arguably the most beautiful castle in all of Italy.
We return to the villa for a light supper that evening
the kitchen and then we make our way to Tormaresca Winery, owned by the illustrious Antinori Family of Tuscany. This is their Puglia estate and no grander winery can be found in all of Italy. We will enjoy a tasting of their estate wines and a tour of the complex.
We then make our way to Montegrosso and Michelin starred Ristorante Antichi Sapori. We will need to come with an empty stomach as we enjoy a leisurely multi course luncheon of La Cucina Typiche with plenty of their engaging local wines.
Then its off to Castel Del Monte (pictured at left), to walk off the lunch - its a a world UNESCO Heritage Site and arguably the most beautiful castle in all of Italy.
We return to the villa for a light supper that evening
day 4 (September 16) - Spelunking, seaside dining and Truly trulli
Gargano Penninsula coastline
For those wanting a little adventure we will head out early to Alberobello, the famed city of "Trulli" for a walk about the City and some shopping. Then its off to to Polignano a Mare, home of the famous Grotta Palazzese restaurant in a grotto over the ocean, where we will enjoy a spectacular lunch. Later in the afternoon we head inland to visit the Grotte Castellana and tour some of the most amazing caves in the world.
We then head back to Villa Cappelli for dinner and wine.
day 5 (SEptember 17) - matera
Matera and The Sassi at sunset
We Bid Paul and Steven goodbye and make our way to 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 Palazzo Degli Abati 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 Palazzo Degli Abati 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.
DAY 6 (SEPTEMBER 18) - GROTTAGLIE AND CASTELLO MONACI
We take our leave of Matera and enjoy a 1.5 hour drive through bucolic countryside to Grottaglie, a city where grafitti artists from all over the globe have left their mark. We have a walking tour of the city, visit some wonderful ceramics shops and then enjoy a simple lunch at a local trattoria.
We head SE to our next villa, 'Casino Metrano' on the grounds of Castello Monaci. We settle into the villa and enjoy a light supper on the grounds, and watch the sun set over the vineyards.
We take our leave of Matera and enjoy a 1.5 hour drive through bucolic countryside to Grottaglie, a city where grafitti artists from all over the globe have left their mark. We have a walking tour of the city, visit some wonderful ceramics shops and then enjoy a simple lunch at a local trattoria.
We head SE to our next villa, 'Casino Metrano' on the grounds of Castello Monaci. We settle into the villa and enjoy a light supper on the grounds, and watch the sun set over the vineyards.
day 7 (September 19) - Castello Monaci and a beach day
Casina Metrano at night
We stay put today! Enjoy the villa, read a book, splash in the pool. Lunch from Michael at your leisure. If anyone is inclined we can take a trip to the beaches at Torre di Lapillo, about 20 minutes away for a little bathing in the Mediterranean.
Late afternoon we head up to the main castle, enjoy a wine tasting of wines from that very estate and then a spectacular dinner at Castello Monaci
Late afternoon we head up to the main castle, enjoy a wine tasting of wines from that very estate and then a spectacular dinner at Castello Monaci
Casina Metrano interiors
The winery at Castello Monaci
day 8 (September 20) - 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 Crianza before heading back to the Masseria. 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 Crianza before heading back to the Masseria. There, Chef Michael will prepare a light pasta dinner with excellent wines to accompany and close out the day.
day 9 (SEptember 21) - Porto Selvaggi0 and Gallipoli
Punta della Suina Beach Club
On our last full day in the Salento region we will head out early to visit the fish market in Gallipoli and enjoy a guided tour of this historic city, now a very popular resort town. We will lunch in the centre of town and then stroll a bit for some shopping.Then we head south of the cit5y about ten minutes and will spend the afternoon at a beach club so you can swim in the warm waters of the Ionian Sea and grab a cocktail.
Then its back to the villa to relax and enjoy a seafood dinner and our last evening in the southern Italian countryside.
Then its back to the villa to relax and enjoy a seafood dinner and our last evening in the southern Italian countryside.
Gallipoli
day 10 (September 22) - departures
Castello Monaci Winery - we taste and tour here!
We will leave early to return to Bari for your flights . It's a two hour drive on the autostrada
10 days/9 nights - all inclusive
$4995PP/DO (Single supp $500)
Deposit of 30% due on booking, refundable up to 90 days before departure. Refund 50% of deposit up to 30 days. Final payment due 60 days before departure.
10 days/9 nights - all inclusive
$4995PP/DO (Single supp $500)
Deposit of 30% due on booking, refundable up to 90 days before departure. Refund 50% of deposit up to 30 days. Final payment due 60 days before departure.
