The land of Primitivo, crystal clear waters, and ancient villages.
Learn MoreIn the sun-drenched south of Italy, where the olive trees seem to stretch forever and time
moves just a bit more kindly, there's a journey waiting to be taken. It begins in Bari, a city by
the sea where cobblestone streets and morning cappuccinos make fast friends. Then, it’s off to
the countryside, where we settle into the Masseria—a 400-year-old working farmhouse with
charm as deep as its history.
Here, amid fields and fig trees, we roll up our sleeves for a hands-on cooking class, learning
the old ways of southern Italian cuisine before sitting down to savor the results. Along the way,
there are castle tours, sunlit strolls through Lecce, wine tastings rich with Primitivo,
Negramaro, and Susumaniello -- and quiet moments touring the cave dwellings of Matera.
It’s not just sightseeing. It’s story-living. And every chapter is delicious.
Arrive in Bari on your own. Check-in for 2 nights at Hotel Oriente, steps away from the Old Town, the seafront promenade, and the main shopping streets. Meet the group in the hotel lobby at 5:15pm for a brief orientation, then enjoy a 2-hour guided walk in the Old Town, a visit to the Basilica of Saint Nicola, and get a glimpse of the iconic local ladies making pasta in front of their homes. At 7:30pm, we head to a local trattoria for a welcome dinner featuring traditional recipes, wine included.
Accommodation Hotel Oriente Bari Included Meals DinnerWe start the day with a scenic drive from central Bari to Tenuta Conte Onofrio Spagnoletti, a historic estate, surrounded by 39,000 olive trees, in the Castel Del Monte wine region. Enjoy a guided tour of the estate, including underground cellars dug into the tufa rock, followed by a wine tasting paired with a selection of traditional cheese, bread, salami, seasonal vegetables and a soup prepared with cereals and beans. In the afternoon, we drive through the scenic Murgia region to Castel Del Monte, a medieval fortress with unique architectural symbolism, for a guided interior tour. We return to Bari in the early evening, where you can enjoy dinner on your own with suggestions provided by your tour manager.
Accommodation Hotel Oriente Bari Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, olive and wine tastingWe drive to Monopoli where you'll stroll the charming seaside town, its castle built on the water and enjoy some free time for shopping in the whitewashed narrow streets adorned with cactus and colorful doors. Stop for lunch on your own, then meet back to the bus and drive to Alberobello. Join your tour manager for an enjoyable walk through the iconic trulli, round houses and workshops topped with a cone-shaped roof, once used as a temporary shelter. Next, we drive south to the countryside near Lecce and check into the hotel. After you explore the grounds, garden and indoor lounges of the fortified farmhouse, we meet in the main dining room for a traditional, homemade dinner with wine.
Accommodation Masseria Caretti Grande Included Meals Breakfast and dinnerExplore Gallipoli with the tour manager, walking around the medieval walls built above the Ionian Sea. Weather permitting, it's possible to stop at the pristine beach Spiaggia dell Purità, and dip our toes in the water. Next, we drive to Cantine Coppola for a tour of the modern winery and its museum focused on the family's history. Lunch is paired with wine tasting of Negramaro grapes and other local varieties and served in the winery's garden surrounded by cactus, olive trees, and peaceful countryside. We continue on to Lecce for a guided tour of the town center, known as the Florence of the South with impressive Baroque architecture. Late afternoon and sunset are the best time of the day to watch the sunlight reflecting on the local stone used to build churches, private palaces and streets. Enjoy dinner on your own in Lecce, before the short drive back to the hotel.
Accommodation Masseria Caretti Grande Included Meals Breakfast and lunchEnjoy a lazy morning relaxing at the beach or follow the Masseria owner for a foraging walk in their garden. Next, we take a hands-on cooking class at the Masseria, followed by lunch. A short drive brings us to the nearby medieval Abbey of Santa Maria di Cerrate, a hidden jewel of medieval art and architecture, presently preserved by the National Trust. We continue on to Ostuni a hilltop town located about one hour north. Enjony a walk in the town center with great photo opportunities over Valle d'Itria and its traditional homes. Partake in dinner on your own in Ostuni before we return to the hotel.
Accommodation Masseria Caretti Grande Included Meals Breakfast and lunchAfter breakfast and check out of the hotel, we drive to Grottaglie for a visit to a ceramic workshop for a quick demonstration, and then enjoy some free time in town known for the artisanal production of potteries. Next, we drive to Manduria to visit Agricola Felline and enjoy wine tasting paired with a light lunch. Later in the day, we drive to Matera and check-in for the next 2 nights at the 4-star Palazzo Viceconte, an historic former palace. In the evening, we head to dinner at a nearby pizzeria.
Accommodation Palazzo Viceconte, Matera Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, and dinnerToday, we take a 2-hour tour of Matera with a local guide. In Matera, you'll enjoy lunch on your own and have a free afternoon to explore. In the evening, we meet up for a group Farewell Dinner.
Accommodation Palazzo Viceconte, Matera Included Meals Breakfast, DinnerWe check out of the hotel where we will have porterage from the hotel to the bus parking lot before a group transfer to Bari airport.
Accommodation N/A Included Meals Breakfast
At Crush Wine Experiences, our mission is to introduce you to your favorite craft winery or distillery.
The ideal adventure for the well-traveled
Trulli houses
Dining in Lecce
The city of Matera
Gallipoli
A fortified farmhouse estate
Sam Kimball is not just a sommelier; he’s a storyteller. With years of experience and a deep passion for Italian wines, he’ll introduce you to the art and science of wine tasting.
From the robust Primitivo and Negroamaro to the refreshing and vibrant Fiano and Bombino Bianco, you’ll taste the diversity of Puglia’s wine heritage on this tour.
Talk with SamRead what our satisfied customers have to say about us on Google
David B. The Puglia and Matera trip was absolutely fantastic. Just the right mix of food, wine, history, culture and amazing sites. Sam and Sergio treated us like family! Amazing memories that we will cherish forever!!
Laurene M. This was my 5th trip with Sam and Crush Wine Experiences. The small group size, knowledgeable tour and local guides; as well as itineraries that immerse you in the food, wine and culture of each destination makes every trip unique. Looking forward to the next adventure!
Marilu B. The Puglia and Matera trip was fantastic! It exceeded all our expectations. If you like to travel to beautiful places, see amazing sites, learn about history and culture, meet fun people, and experience a great variety of wines, then Crush Wine Experiences is the place for you.
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