PUGLIA & MATERA
SEPTEMBER 20 - 27, 2025

Adventure with us across the plains of Basilicata and over the rocky terrain of the Murgia, to reach the sun drenched stone houses and sparkling beaches of the Adriatic Sea.   In the extreme south of Italy lie the white villages of Valle d'Itria. Many travelers do not venture this far south and miss out on the magic of this place.  A foodie's dream, Puglia offers the freshest seafood, floral and smokey capocollo from the village of Martina Franca, grano arso (charred grain) pasta from the burning fields of Basilicata, and more hidden culinary treasures.  

Accommodation: 

2 nights at Sant Angelo Resort in ancient Matera, and 5 nights at Bambarone La Masseria, Fasano, Puglia. 

Sant Angelo is a luxury resort carved from the tufa stone that makes up the city of Matera.  This property has some of the best views of the sassi, modern Italian furnishings, amenities, and is located in the middle of it all, making it perfect for exploring the village on foot. 

We will meet you at Napoli Centrale train station and head to Matera for the next two nights. Check into Hotel Sant' Angelo and we'll meet for an aperitivo before dinner at Stano for some of Matera's modern takes on centuries old dishes.  

Discover the ceramic artisans and our favorite wood carver, Massimo, who specializes in hand carving bread stamps, and ancient tradition of Matera. We will visit the Madonna della Idris ancient church and an original cave house, (The people of Matera lived in the caves of the sassi until the 1950's!)  Lunch is on your own today. For digestivo fans, a stop at the Amaro Lucano shop for a tasting is a must, as it is made here.   Dinner together tonight at a trattoria in the heart of the sassi.

Transfer to Bambarone La Masseria. On the way, we stop to see some of the oldest frescos in the country only recently discovered, followed by lunch in the town of Altamura, famous throughout Italy for their breads. We'll enjoy a light lunch of local products and the pane di Matera bread baked in ovens which have been in use since the 1400's (You may go in and take a peek at the ovens.) Dinner tonight in Cisternino famous for their "rosticcerie" where you can try a wide variety of bombette, (Think bracciole, but smaller and cooked on skewers in a wood fired oven. AMAZING).

Today we start the day with a wine tasting at I Pastini then it's onto Alberobello, the ancient trulli settlement. Lunch is on your own with free time to explore the streets and shops.  Tonight we will have dinner in in the glowing city of Ostuni. 

Hands on cooking class at a 16th century masseria with the local casalinge (house wives). Pick fresh vegetables from the masseria's garden to use in the cooking class. Make pasta, focaccia Barese, cheese and other local specialties. Recipes to keep! Dinner tonight at the masseria tonight.

Wine tasting and light lunch at the beautiful Tenuta Terre di San Vito. They produce the area's best wine and olive oil and you can buy some to take home, or they will also ship. After lunch we'll hop over to walk the dramatic cliffs of Polignano A Mare with free time to shop or just sit and take it all in. 

Dinner tonight in Martina Franca.

We'll visit the "orecchiette ladies" who make pasta in streets out front of their homes, have life-changing focaccia Barese and gelato for lunch.  Shop for old fashion Italian sweets at the historic candy store, Manarid, or pick up pasta tools and ceramics at the little shops hidden in the alleyways.  Farewell dinner tonight in Locorotondo.

Check out after breakfast and return to Napoli Centrale train station.