Puglia 2026: An 8-Day Deep Dive into Italy’s Best-Kept Culinary Secret
Puglia is the rugged, authentic "heel" of Italy’s boot, a region defined by ancient olive groves, dramatic coastlines, and a winemaking history that predates the Romans. On this small, private tour from May 9 to 17, 2026, we’ll go beyond the traditional tourist places to look at the connection between the land and the incredible food and wine of the region.
Starting in the seaside town of Trani, we’ll explore the "Puglia Federiciana" landscape, home to the mysterious octagonal Castel del Monte and a cathedral that sits directly on the Adriatic shore. This area is famous for the rare Moscato Reale di Trani, a protected wine grown in calcareous soil that you will taste alongside local coastal cuisine.
A major highlight of the journey is a detour into the Basilicata region to visit Matera, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. We’ll spend the day exploring the Sassi district, a labyrinth of cave dwellings and rock churches carved into limestone ravines over nine millennia. Our tour includes a private visit to the Crypt of the Original Sin, often called the "Sistine Chapel of the Rock Churches," to view 7th-century frescoes. After learning about the city’s sophisticated ancient cistern systems, we’ll stop at a traditional forno to see how the region’s famous heritage bread is baked.
The wine experience deepens at Madri Leone Winery, where owners Marilia and Linda Leone will guide us through a pairing dinner. Their wines focus on indigenous varieties like Nero di Troia and Bombino, telling the story of female-led innovation in Northern Puglia. Later, the tour visits Vetrere Winery, where we’ll walk the vineyards before a hands-on cooking class in their "English Garden." Here, a local chef will teach us the art of making fresh pasta, paired with their signature sparkling Aureo and a vertical tasting of their labels.
The journey then heads south to Lecce, known as the "Florence of the South" for its ornate Baroque architecture. This leg of the trip emphasizes living traditions; we’ll visit the ceramics district of Grottaglie (known as “City of Ceramics”) to see artisans at work and also participate in a papier-mâché workshop in Lecce. A unique stop at the Piero Paladini Atelier for an aperitivo provides a glimpse into how modern artists are keeping these 17th-century crafts alive. Throughout your stay in Lecce, you’ll sample the region's famous Primitivo and Negroamaro wines, which are the backbone of the Salento wine culture.
The cultural exploration continues in Galatina and Otranto, where the focus shifts to mysticism and high-end craft. You’ll learn about the tarantism dance rituals at the Chapel of Saint Paul and visit the Le Costantine Foundation, a hand-weaving workshop. This foundation’s prestigious fabrics were featured in Dior’s 2021 Cruise Collection. We’ll follow this up with a visit to the easternmost point of Italy, Otranto, to see the 12th-century floor mosaics in the Cathedral and enjoy a casual lunch overlooking the turquoise waters of the Adriatic.
Of course, we don’t want the tour to end, but we’ve picked a very special place for our final day with a visit to the iconic, cone-roofed trulli of Alberobello. This quaint village is a UNESCO World Heritage site built using prehistoric dry-stone techniques. After a final look at the clifftop views in Polignano a Mare, the trip ends in the vibrant capital of Bari. The farewell dinner serves as a final curation of the trip’s best flavors, bringing together the specific grapes you’ve studied—from Verdeca to Aglianico—and the traditional dishes that define Southern Italy. It is a comprehensive look at a region that has successfully transformed its historic isolation into a world-class destination for food and art.
I literally can’t WAIT to show you all of these beautiful parts of Italy. Bring a friend and come join me. :)
