Essence of Puglia

Puglia, Southern Italy

I for Italia
  • Email address verified
Oct 13 - 21, 2025
Group size: 8 - 14
Essence of Puglia
Puglia, Southern Italy

I for Italia
  • Email address verified

Oct 13 - 21, 2025
Group size: 8 - 14

About this trip

Essence of Puglia  - Tour Introduction

TOUR CONCEPT 

Italy, with its 58 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is renowned for its rich history, art, breathtaking landscapes, and extraordinary cuisine. Yet, beyond the familiar lies the hidden charm of authentic ItalyBenvenuti to Puglia!


Join us for a nine-day journey through this unique region, a historic crossroads of trade and culture. Puglia offers a perfect blend of tradition and openness, with rich history, vibrant art, and incredible flavors awaiting.


If you've never heard of Puglia (Apulia), it's because you may have been too busy fantasizing about the many other stunning areas that the Bel Paese has to offer!


But believe us when we say Puglia is the next big thing!

Imagine the most picturesque, white-washed villages, iconic, cone-shaped little houses (trulli), and miles and miles of warm, peaceful, stunning coastline.


Imagine infinite fields filled with centuries-old olive trees, the most scintillating plants and flowers,  warm colors, and hilltop towns that look like magical fortresses.


Imagine the most sublime art and architecture from the mix of Western and Eastern cultures.


Imagine the most imposing Duomos and the stunning little roads in Lecce, the Florence of the South. 


Most importantly, imagine flocks of locals heading to the morning markets and engaging in impromptu conversations in Pugliese-Italian-broken English. 


Imagine friendly people wanting you to try all the dishes and excellent wine the region offers. Imagine sitting in a stunning, thousand-year-old square while sipping a delicious rose. This is the Essence of Puglia, and we're so excited to bring it to life for you. 


So, are you ready?


Andiamo!


WHO IS THIS TOUR FOR?

This small group tour is ideal for:

  • Travelers who embrace a slower travel style and an educational, historical, artistic, and, most importantly, immersive lifestyle-focused tour. 
  • Travelers looking to travel in a smaller, intimate, safe group with like-minded travel lovers. 
  • Travelers who are looking for an escorted, impeccably organized tour led by an English-speaking travel professional who was born and raised in Italy.
  • Travelers who are looking to sit back, relax, and enjoy the best that Puglia has to offer! 
  • Travelers search for an authentic experience in one of Italy’s most charming regions.
  • Travelers dreaming of a quintessential, relaxing escape to Southern Italy, a place known for its peaceful, impeccable quality of life. 
  • Travelers who are passionate about cooking, tasting excellent local wine and food, and learning about the local artisanal traditions. 

WHO IS THIS TOUR NOT FOR?

This tour may not be suitable for:

  • Children.
  • Travelers who prefer fast-paced itineraries.
  • Those seeking traditional tourist spots instead of hidden, authentic locations.
  • Individuals who may have difficulty walking through village streets and countryside areas.

STYLE & LEVEL

  • Accommodation: A stunning, traditional Boutique Hotel in Lecce and an authentic Masseria Pugliese (Apulian Farmhouse).
  • Transportation: High-quality private transportation
  • Experiences: Focus on history, architecture, culture, hands-on activities, and Southern Italian lifestyle!
  • Meals: Excellent, farm-to-table breakfasts, local, family-owned traditional restaurants for selected lunches and dinners.  Enjoy the simplicity and flavors of the Mediterranean Diet. 

GROUP SIZE

Up to 14 guests 


BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS

• Please put down your deposit today to secure your spot

• Spots are limited to 14

• Please don't book your flights until the tour is confirmed. We will send you a notice as soon as we have received a minimum number of deposits (8)

• Our Essence of Puglia allows you to pick between a spot in a double room or a twin room. If traveling by yourself, you will be randomly paired with someone of the same sex and will not be required to pay any extra

• Our Essence of Puglia allows up to 3 travelers to upgrade to a Double Room for single use throughout the retreat. The extra cost to upgrade to a Single Room is $800. 


CANCELLATION POLICY

We require a first, non-refundable $650 deposit to confirm the traveler’s participation in the tour. The deposit is transferable.


We require a final payment 90 days before departure. In case of tour cancellation, the following policies apply:


From the day of booking up to 90 days before departure, I, for Italia, retain the non-refundable deposit.

  • Between 90 and 60 days before departure: 30% of the tour price.
  • Between 59 and 30 days before departure: 75% of the tour price.
  • From 29 days before departure to the date of departure, or failing to arrive at the point of departure of the tour: 100% of the tour price.

For any questions or information, please email us at [email protected]


TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel insurance is compulsory for all travelers, and it’s the customer's responsibility to ensure adequate coverage is purchased. Travel insurance must cover personal accidents, death, medical expenses, and emergency repatriation with a recommended minimum coverage of US $200,000 for each category. 


We strongly recommend that it also covers cancellation, curtailment, personal liability, loss of luggage, and personal effects. If customers do not have travel insurance, they may
be prevented from joining the trip. I for Italia can assist in providing travel insurance, or you may purchase it independently. We accept any travel insurance provider as long as we have a policy number, the company’s 24-hour emergency contact number, and confirmation that you have the minimum coverage specified above.

Meet Your Tour Leader Stefano Paris

Ciao! Mi chiamo Stefano! Piacere! 


I was born and raised in the Ciociaria area, just one hour south of Rome, and I currently live in beautiful Charleston, SC. Since childhood, I have dreamed of traveling to faraway lands to discover their culture and unique beauty. Living and working in many countries worldwide made me realize how fortunate I was to call Italy home. Working as a National Geographic tour guide in my beautiful Italia made me endlessly fall in love with Italy in all of its shapes and forms. I founded I for Italia as a tribute to the Italy I know and love dearly!


Favorite Pasta

As much as I don’t love to answer straight questions (especially when it comes to pasta!), I would say that there is no other answer than my grandma’s gnocchi with a ragù sauce ciociaro style. This dish of my childhood encloses the flavors but also the warmth and love for my maternal grandmother. 


Favorite Italian Word/Phrase

“Al cuore non si comanda” — which means something like “you can’t command your heart!”. It’s a great reminder not to forget to listen to our heart and what it says!


The Best Region of Italy

I'm not sure what the best Italian region is, but I personally LOVE traveling and discovering the southern regions of Italy. If I had to indicate just one, I would say Puglia, an incredible region where cultures from all over the Mediterranean Sea have built a unique, incredible culture, language, cuisine, and architecture. 


I could not be more excited to be your Tour Leader and show you my beautiful country!

What’s included

  • Accommodation (8 nights)
  • City Taxes
  • All breakfasts
  • 6 Lunches
  • 7 dinners
    Water included
  • Activities & Experiences
    As mentioned in the itinerary
  • 1 Cooking Class
    Private Farewell Cooking Class
  • Bread Making Experience
    Private Bread Making Class in Matera
  • Private City Tours
    Along with a licensed Tour Guide (4 Half-Days & 3 Full Days)
  • EVO Oil Experience
    Private Visit to Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Wine Production with Tasting in Local Farmhouse
  • Papier-mâché Experience
    Private Demonstration & Visit to Papier-Mâché Artisanal Boutique in Lecce
  • Burrata Experience
    Private Visit to Local Dairy Farm with Burrata and Other Local Cheeses Demonstration and Tasting
  • Ancient EVO Oil Mill
    Private Visit to Ancient Extra Virgin Olive Oil Mill and "Monumental Olive Groves"
  • Private Palazzo Dinner
    Exclusive, Private Dinner in a 17th Century Palazzo in Lecce
  • I for Italia Tour Guide
    Stefano, Your I for Italia Expert and Company Founder, Will Escort and Assist the Group Throughout the Tour
  • Private Transportation

What’s not included

  • International airfare
  • Meals
    Unless otherwise specified
  • ETIAS Fee
  • Tickets to Attractions
    Unless otherwise specified
  • Travel Insurance
  • Gratuities

Available Packages

Essence of Puglia
Deposit:$650
Available until September 13, 2025

Per Person Price - Double or Twin Room with Bathroom to Share

$4,990
Deposit:$650

Available options

Single Supplement
$800
Available until September 12, 2025Only 3 left
Deposit: $0

Upgrade to a Room on Your Own. 

Itinerary

Essence of Puglia
Highlights & Info

- Experience the authentic heart of Apulia, with its stunning rural landscapes, world-renowned historic villages, and traditional Masserie.

- Stay in a stunning Boutique hotel in Lecce and a beautiful, family-owned Masseria in the Apulian countryside, one of the region's finest Masseria, offering a perfect blend of luxury and tradition.

- Immerse yourself in local culture with various unique and memorable experiences.


Some Interesting Facts about Puglia


Ovid referred to Southern Italy as Magna Graecia (Greater Greece), a nod to its rich legacy of Greek colonies dating back to the 10th century BC.


Puglia boasts the longest coastline in mainland Italy, stretching over 500 miles.

The region enjoys an impressive 300 sunny days each year.


Salento’s local dialect, Griko, shares more similarities with modern Greek than Italian.


With 60 million olive trees, Puglia is the heart of Italy's extra virgin olive oil production, surpassing the rest of the country combined.


Puglia’s culinary and wine scene is unmatched—from orecchiette pasta and barese focaccia to burrata cheese, it’s a true paradise for food and wine enthusiasts.


Andiamo!

Your Organizer


If
I for Italia
Joined in September 2022
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