May 9 - 17, 2026 Wine, Food & Art Pairing in Puglia
Reach out to Kiki for more information kiki@kikinetwork.com or 603-858-2733.
Journey beyond the well-trodden path on an 8-day, bespoke luxury tour through the hidden wonders of Southern Italy. Taste, the food and wine, and learn about the influence, history and art of the many generations of people who have passed through this beautiful land. Witness the profound contrast between the ancient, haunting Sassi di Matera—one of the world's oldest inhabited cities—and the elegant "Florence of the South," and Lecce, with its elaborate Baroque masterpieces. We will explore UNESCO sites like the mysterious octagonal Castel del Monte and the fairy-tale Trulli of Alberobello. Indulge in private wine tastings of rare and indigenous varieties, master the art of fresh pasta in a hands-on cooking class, and delve into the regional folklore of the "tarantate." From the Adriatic beauty of Otranto to the artisanal workshops of Grottaglie, this is an immersive and deeply emotional exploration of a truly resilient and magical corner of Italy.
Matera stands as the journey's spiritual heart—a city that defies conventional understanding of human settlement. Carved directly into limestone ravines over nine millennia, the Sassi districts present an archaeological marvel where cave dwellings, rock churches adorned with frescoes, and labyrinthine stone passages reveal continuous habitation. Matera has undergone one of Europe's most extraordinary urban resurrections, transforming from a forgotten slum to UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of 2019 European Capitals of Culture. Your exploration will include the Crypt of the Original Sin—known as the Sistine Chapel of the Rock Churches—an extraordinary 7th-century monastic settlement containing remarkable frescoes depicting the Creation. As you walk through the Barisano and Caveoso districts at sunset, the golden limestone creates an enveloping atmosphere that echoes centuries of adaptation, resilience, and faith, revealing how sophisticated cistern systems and ingenious architecture allowed civilizations to thrive in seemingly inhospitable terrain.
This carefully curated experience offers discerning travelers something increasingly rare: genuine discovery in a region that rewards curiosity with authenticity. Your journey includes privileged encounters that surpass typical tourism—dining with wine producers at the Madri Leone Winery, creating papier-mâché art alongside master craftsmen in historic Lecce workshops, and visiting the mystical Basilica of Saint Catherine in Galatina, where healing rituals for the "tarantate" once took place, accompanied by the hypnotic rhythms of the pizzica dance.
You'll tour noble Palazzo Tamborino Cezzi with its owner, witness the ancient art of hand-weaving at the prestigious Le Costantine Foundation (whose fabrics graced Dior's 2021 Cruise Collection), and explore Trani's Giudecca—home to one of Europe's oldest active synagogues. We will navigate different varieties of grapes, cultivated in Puglia Basilicata, Primitivo, Negromaro, Verbena, Nero di Troia, Bombino, Aglianico, and more. We’ll taste wines specific to each region and the traditional food that goes along with it. This is not merely a tour but an invitation into a living heritage, where every hand-rolled orecchietta, every limestone archway, and every artisan's workshop tells the story of a people who have transformed isolation into distinction.
Price per person (Shared Room): $ Coming Soon
Single Room Supplement: add $ Coming Soon
