PUGLIA, ITALY
October 3 - 9, 2020

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Referred to as the “heel” of the “boot” of Italy, Puglia is a region with spectacular landscapes and a treasure-trove of culinary traditions. Whitewashed hilltop villages dot a countryside that boasts stunning coastlines, from the golden sands of the Ionian Sea to the rocky shoreline of the Adriatic, both with azure colored water. This trip will include visits with local artisans and winemakers, a cooking class emphasizing specialties of the region, guided historic tours of some of the ancient cities here, and delicious meals of the region.

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Day 1
October 3: Arrival + Dinner

Arrival at Bari Airport and transfer to Trani, check-in to your room at Mare Resort, a restored 18th-century palazzo, a minute's walk from the Trani harbor. Time to freshen up and enjoy a late afternoon stroll in the old-town where you’ll discover the Jewish Quarter, the Templar Church and fisherman stalls along the seafront, dominated by a glorious, bleached-out Romanesque cathedral.

Enjoy a welcome dinner at one of the finest tables in town.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Trani - Mare Resort
Check In Date: 3-Oct-2020
Check Out Date: 6-Oct-2020

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DAY 2

October 4
Focaccia Tasting + Fish Cooking Class + Bari Pizza

Breakfast at hotel.

Depart for an off-the-beaten-path adventure to Bitonto, a former Roman agricultural settlement. Stroll in the old town where ancient communal ovens have been continuously cranking out focaccia, loaves of bread and taralli for over 4 centuries. Next we visit Giovinazzo and enjoy a fish cooking class with Chef Francesco, followed by lunch of what you prepare.

Continue to Bari, for an afternoon stroll and experience orecchiette making in the street. Return to Trani and pizza dinner in one of the top pizzerias of Italy.

Overnight in Trani.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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DAY 3

October 5
Trani Harbor + Castel del Monte + Native Varietals

Breakfast at hotel.
Early morning walk along the Trani Harbor to see fishermen working on the docks; unloading and selling freshly caught fish. Afterwards, we’ll depart for a dive deep into the heart of the countryside to see olive groves in their natural setting. We’ll visit a former Benedictine monastic agricultural settlement and Castel del Monte, the castle of Frederik 11, King of Sicily and Germany in the 13th Century. Get to know the native varietals, Nero di Troia and Bombino at a local organic estate, set in a national park. Learn about vegetable growing then enjoy them for lunch at a Slow Food Osteria.

Return to Trani and dinner at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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Day 4

October 6
Olive Oil and Almonds + Polignano + Artisanal Gelato + Alberobello + Ostuni

Breakfast at hotel and check out.

A panoramic drive along the Adriatic coast where we’ll enjoy an introduction to extra virgin olive oils, almonds and fig wine before reaching the beautiful village of Polignano a Mare, for a lunch by the water. Afterwards, we’ll stroll in the alleys of Polignano for a caffè speciale and gelato tasting.

This afternoon, visit Alberobello, an astonishing Unesco World Heritage site known for its trulli, whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs. We’ll have an aperitivo and a light dinner in town before driving to your hotel, Masseria il Frantoio.

This hotel is set in 16th and 19th century farm buildings. Traditional rooms showcase vaulted ceilings and period-style furnishings.

Accommodation: Masseria il Frantoio
Check In Date: 6-Oct-2020
Check Out Date: 9-Oct-2020

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Aperitivo

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Day 5

October 7
Lecce, the Baroque capital + Ostuni

Breakfast at hotel.

Departure to Lecce for a morning tour of the Cathedral, Basilica di Santa Croce, Chiesa di San Matteo, Roman theatre and Piazza Sant’ Oronzo. Lunch is at one of the oldest trattoria in town

Drive through the beautiful Valle d'Itria, and glimpse Ostuni long before you arrive; the vast 'White City' rising high above the ocean of olive trees that sweep through this verdant area of Puglia. Built atop a hill as protection from invaders, Ostuni is a labyrinth. A maze of alleyways, staircases, and arches, of houses built upon houses, of hundreds of years of history, dead ends and pretty little gardens, glimpses of the Adriatic Sea, green doors and bright blue skies, everything and nothing may lie around the next corner you take. Return to the hotel and dinner at leisure.

Overnight at the Masseria.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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Day 6

October 8
Itria Valley Burrata Making + Martina Franca + Organic Wines + Grottaglie Ceramics

Breakfast at hotel.

This morning, we will learn about the stretched cheese tradition of Puglia, and experience what burrata is like compared to mozzarella. Continue to Martina Franca and enjoy a walk in the historical capital. Stop for an espresso at one of the oldest cafes in Italy.   Lunch in the area of Manduria includes a tasting of a Primitivo organic wine.

A refreshing stroll in the town of Grottaglie, sets the stage for a little shopping in some beautiful ceramic shops. Our farewell dinner in Ceglie Messapica will take place in the piazza.

Overnight in the Masseria

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 7

October 9: Departure
Breakfast at hotel and checkout.

Transfer to Bari Airport.

End of services.

Meals: Breakfast

Price Per Person: $4,999 per person based on double occupancy,  Single Supplement $950 (land only)

Inclusions:

• Accommodations as indicated

• Tour guide and driving service every day

• Visits and tastings as indicated in the program

• Lunch and dinner with selected wines as indicated in the program

Exclusions:

• Airfare

• Airport transfers

• Mandatory travel insurance

• Meals not specified in the program

• Anything not mentioned in inclusions

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Susan Hammond
Endless Travel
28525 Hwy 74, Suite A
Evergreen, CO 80439

303-674-6616

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susan@endlesstravel.net