The Trip

Explore Puglia — a beautiful region in southern Italy which boasts stunning coastlines, unique architecture,  ancient cities, and so much more. This trip offers travelers the best Puglia has to offer. Learn to make local pasta, swim in vibrant blue grottos, relax on the beach, enjoy wine and olive oil tastings, learn to make taralli and mozzarella, tour historic cities like Lecce and Alberobello, all while making new friends and enjoying the southern Italian lifestyle.

This is an itinerary that you truly can't find anywhere else, and is sure to be a one-of-a-kind trip. 

Perfect for solo travelers, couples, and families (18+), this trip gives travelers the chance to see Puglia without the stress of planning, navigating, and driving. You can expect a week of delicious food, cultural experiences, relaxing with some of Italy's best views, and maybe an Aperol Spritz (or five).

Highlights

Pasta making class

Guided tour of Lecce

Visit to Torre Sant Andrea and Grotta della Poesia

Mozzarella making class

Olive oil tasting

Guided tour of Alberobello

Free time to explore Polignano a Mare

Optional boat trip ($)

Who Is This Trip For?

This tour is great for many different types of travelers. While the tour can be considered leisurely, it is important to note that the landscapes of Puglia often require the ability to walk on cobblestones, uneven terrain, and up and down hills. 

Pricing and Payments

-The cost of this trip is $2,495 per person, based on double occupancy. If you are traveling solo you can be paired with a roommate or select a single room for an additional fee.

-To secure your space a deposit of $550 is required.

-Payment plans are available.

-Final payments are due April 1st, 2023.

Cancellation and Refunds

In the event that you need to cancel your trip, please note the following:

-Deposits are non-refundable.*

-Additional costs are 50% refundable up to 90 days before the trip.

-Additional costs are 25% refundable between 89-61 days before the trip.

-Additional costs are non-refundable 60 days or less before the trip

*In the event you need to cancel, if your spot is able to be covered by someone on the waitlist, you may be eligible for a full-refund. However, this is not guaranteed.

**Travel insurance is required. In the event that you cannot attend the trip due to illness or injury, many travel insurance policies will reimburse you for the cost of the trip.

Flights and Arrivals

-Flights are not included in the tour price, however I am always happy to help guests find great flights deals.

-Please make sure your flight arrives at Bari International Airport (BRI) by June 5th, 2023.

-Alternatively, you can fly into Rome and take the train into Bari's Central Train Station. This usually takes around 4 hours.

Your Host

Hosted by Bekyy Khera (aka @bekyykhera on TikTok and Instagram). Bekyy is a solo female traveler, writer, and video producer with a mission to see as much of the world as she can. She has traveled to Italy many times and can't wait to share her favorite places with you!

Note from the host: My platform is founded on inclusivity, so I ask all who join the trip to be respectful of the diversity of the group. We will not tolerate any bullying, harassment, or disrespect of any kind. Discrimination or harassment based on sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, race, ancestry, ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, body type, physical ability, or socioeconomic status etc. will not be tolerated.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out via email to rebeccakhera@gmail.com

Once you arrive in the beautiful region of Puglia, you will be transported to your new home for the week in Valle d'Itria. We will be staying in a Masseria, which is a traditional Apulian farmhouse turned hotel, situated among olive groves.

Take the afternoon to explore the beautiful property or just relax by the pool. Come evening time we will gather for a welcome dinner with traditional Apulian food.

Inclusions: Accommodation, airport transfers, welcome dinner

This morning we will visit the Port town of Monopoli, where will have some free time to explore.  

In the afternoon, we will head to Polignano a Mare and have time to explore on our own or join a boat tour through the caves. While in Polignano you can visit the town's many balconies overlooking the sea, swim at the famous Lama Monachile beach, and even swim through the caves.

Optional add-on, explore the caves of Polignano by boat with a small boat trip along the coast, in and out of the caves, with an opportunity to swim in the Adriatic Sea.

Inclusions: Accommodation, breakfast, transfers, dinner in Polignano a Mare

This morning we will visit the historic city of Lecce. The stunning baroque architecture of Lecce has led to this city becoming a favorite amongst photographers. Widely regarded as the New Florence of Italy, we'll find plenty to see and do. 

Upon arrival we will have a guided tour of the city by a local!

After our walking tour we will learn the fine art of making orecchiette, a traditional pasta of Puglia. We will then enjoy the pasta along with a wine tasting and other delicacies from the region.

Inclusions: Accommodation, breakfast, transfers, walking tour of Lecce, orecchiette making class, wine tasting.

Today we will get to explore some of the beaches along Italy's Adriatic coast. Including a variety of the following; Porto Miggiano, Torre Sant Andrea, Torre Del Orso and Grotta della Poesia

Upon returning to the Masseria we will enjoy a traditional Italian dinner.

Inclusions: Accommodation, breakfast, transfers, dinner

This morning we make our way to a local Caseificio where we'll learn to make mozzarella cheese & taralli. Then we will head to Locorotondo for the afternoon where we can stroll the streets and explore all of the picturesque alleyways. The last stop for our day will be the UNESCO site of Alberobello, where we will have a guided tour through the trulli and learn more about the historic town.

Inclusions: Accommodation, breakfast, transfers, mozzarella & taralli experience, tastings/light lunch, guided tour of Alberobello

After a leisurely morning and a light lunch in the Masseria, we will make our way to one of the oldest olive oil producers in the region for a wonderful tour and tasting. After the tasting we will head to Ostuni, where we will have some time to explore the "White City" before our farewell dinner in Ostuni.

Inclusions: Accommodation, breakfast, transfers, olive oil tasting, dinner

After a leisurely breakfast we will say goodbye to the Masseria and be transferred to Bari International Airport or Bari Central Train Station.

Inclusions: Breakfast, transfers

Day 8 | GROTTAGLIE - MATERA

This morning we will make our way to Grottaglie, the home of ceramics. Here we will visit a boutique where we will learn how they make their ceramics from start to finish, in an engaging tour/lesson. There will then be some time to have a look around at the many shops prior to enjoying a bite to eat in the township.

After lunch we will head to Matera, and settle into our unique accommodations (a traditional cave hotel) before enjoying a welcome aperitivo.

Inclusions: Breakfast, accommodation, aperitivo, transfers

Day 9 | MATERA

This morning our guide will meet us at our hotel to begin our walking tour of Matera. Be sure to have your walking shoes on, as we will explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Sassi di Matera. After the morning with our guide we will have the rest of the afternoon to explore Matera on our own.

Dinner this evening will be at a local restaurant.

Inclusions: Accommodation, breakfast, walking tour, dinner in Matera

Day 10 | MATERA - DEPARTURE

After a leisurely breakfast we will be transferred to Bari Airport/Bari Central Train Station.

Inclusions: Breakfast, transfers to Bari