A new twist on our popular Due Coste "Coast to Coast" tour, led by James Beard-nominated Chef Taylor Mason of Lancaster PA’s LUCA and Pizzeria LUCA!

On your tour, you’ll travel alongside Chef Taylor to experience the amazing culinary specialities of these regions, visiting various food artisans, wineries, producers, and of course - enjoying some delicious meals! Starting on the coast of Calabria, passing through the ancient cave town of Matera in Basilicata, and ending on the coast again in Puglia, this tour truly takes you off the beaten path!

These areas are home to the Calabrian peperoncino, spicy 'Nduja, some of the best olive oil in the country (the region of Puglia has over 60 million olive trees!), burrata, incredible wines, and the cucina povera of this area! And Matera itself just has to be seen to be believed, with a history of continuous occupation dating back to the Paleolithic period!

Keep scrolling to see Trip Highlights and specifics on pricing, how to book, and what's included! Contact us with any questions.

Chef Taylor is the chef and owner of Lancaster, PA restaurants, LUCA and Pizzeria LUCA. LUCA focuses on the traditions of Italy while being rooted in the heritage of Lancaster, as a farm-driven kitchen with locally sourced vegetables and meats, as well as handmade pasta. They are committed to acquiring fresh local ingredients and establishing relationships with farmers and artisans.

Join us and see for yourself why Chef Taylor was named as a semifinalists for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chefs in America Award in 2020!

A few items of note for some of the destinations and the trip as a whole to help set expectations and better prepare you for the trip. Some of the expectations are outlined in our Traveler Guidebook and the Terms & Conditions form that you will use to register (see specifically the Traveler Code and Traveler Expectations sections), but to reiterate some as they specifically relate to this tour's itinerary.

Cusine - As hopefully most of you know, our tours focus heavily on the culinary specialities of each region and town we visit. So when we arrange a lunch/dinner or culinary experience, we are working with those restaurants to plan menus in advance that highlight the seasonal produce, dishes that reflect the region we’re in (as this is a "Coast to Coast" tour, you can expect seafood to be highlighted), and so on. We will be collecting some of this information at a later date from you, but if there are food allergies we need to be aware of, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate them. If there are entire categories of food that you just don’t eat (and are not willing to try), this might not be the tour for you! 

Terrain:

Matera - Matera in particular may be challenging for those with mobility issues. The town itself is difficult to describe unless you’ve been there, but this fly-through video gives you a glimpse into the Sassi (the old town, where we will be staying). It is an ancient cave town where dwellings/shops/hotels are all built one on top of each other, and not necessarily in a linear way. Therefore everything is connected via flights of stairs, winding alleys, etc. all built out of stone. This results in some uneven surfaces w/ few hand rails to be found. The tufa stone can also be somewhat slick, especially during the dry summer months when there is a lot of dust. Good walking shoes, being sure on your feet, and staying alert are all key!

Excursions: With all of our excursions, you are not forced to participate if something like this is not your ’thing.’ If you get seasick or hate being on the water (or as mentioned in the Terrain section above, have issues with stairs), you always have the option to stay behind and enjoy some free time on your own (please note, as mentioned in the Terms & Conditions, there is no compensation or refund for any portion of the tour or excursion you do not participate in). 

Each member of the tour will be responsible for booking their own flights, which are not included in the tour cost.

You will be picked up at the Lamezia Terme (SUF) airport on April 21 at 12:00p.m., then dropped off at the Bari (BRI) airport on April 30 by 9:00a.m.

One group transfer will be provided, any additional private transfers would be at your own cost.

*We strongly recommend looking into flight costs (try Google Flights) and trip insurance before booking your spot or see our tips for booking flights!  These are important factors to consider as you budget for the trip.

Double occupancy: $6120/person ($5,999 Early Bird Registration before 5/15/25)

Single occupancy: $6880

Deposit of $2,500/person is due upon booking to reserve your spot, along with a signed & completed registration form (attached at check out).  

Credit cards are accepted with a 2.9%(Visa/Mastercard) - 3.9(Amex)% fee.  

ACH bank transfer accepted with a 0% fee.

Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure.

• Meet your tour leaders and fellow travelers at the Lamezia Terme Airport (SUF) by 12pm and your adventure begins!

• Transfer up to Tropea, with a stop for lunch on the way, and check in to our first hotel.

• Free time to settle in, rest, or start exploring.

• Stroll through town for dinner to get your first taste of Calabrian specialties!

• Explore a family-owned olive oil producer with a tasting and light lunch.

• Free afternoon to explore Tropea.

• Group dinner in town with a view of the sea!

• Optional excursion to nearby Pizzo or spend the day in town exploring, shopping, or relaxing on the beach.

• Final group dinner in Tropea.

• Check out of our hotel in Tropea and begin the transfer to Matera, with a visit to a winery along the way.

• Arrive in Matera and check in to our cave hotel, Locanda di San Martino.

• Group ‘apericena’ at our favorite bar in Matera.

• Historical walking tour of Matera with a local guide to learn some of the amazing history contained in these caves.

• Lunch on your own with a free afternoon to explore Matera or enjoy the hotel’s spa.

• Group dinner in a cave restaurant in town.

• Visit a cheese producer and restaurant for a cheese-themed lunch.

• Free afternoon in Matera to explore/rest.

• Group dinner in town featuring local specialties.

• Check out of our hotel in Matera and make our way to Puglia, with a stop at a winery along the way for a tasting and lunch.

• Check in to our final hotel, Masseria Salamina.

• Group dinner nearby to get our first taste of Puglia.

• Spend the morning at our accommodation and take advantage of their outdoor kitchen for a cooking class, with lunch to follow to enjoy your creations.

• Excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello for a tour and special dinner in town.

• Excursion to the seaside town of Polignano a Mare for free time to explore and lunch on your own.

• Free afternoon at our hotel to rest, pack, and explore.

• Finale dinner at our hotel.

• Check out of our hotel in Puglia.

• Drop-off at Bari Airport (BRI) Airport by 9 a.m.