Luxury Tour of Puglia with Chef Michelle Bommarito and Jamie Edmonds

Itinerary

Day 1: Saturday, October 10 - Arrival in Italy | Savelletri

Upon arrival at Bari Airport, transfer on your own to your five-star, luxury villa resort in beautiful Puglia, Italy. Enjoy the afternoon with your hosts, Chef Michelle Bommarito, John Fallone, and Jamie Edmonds, before a convivial welcome dinner. Your Italian tour manager, Fabio, will be on hand to greet you. This unique meal is a traditional Southern Italian experience, featuring a variety of specialty pizzas served family style alongside a selection of entrees and premium artisanal beers brewed in the local style.

Day 2: Sunday, October 11 - Matera

This morning, travel to the ancient town of Matera for a private tour with a local guide. Learn about Matera’s history as the “Shame of Italy” and its present-day status as a European capital of culture. Ride through the iconic Sassi di Matera on a convertible three-wheeler or open air mini-bus and see the fascinating one-room cave dwellings. In the afternoon, return to your resort and enjoy a pasta cooking class and dinner.

Day 3: Monday, October 12 - Polignano a Mare

Begin your day with a visit to a classic masseria, or traditional village farm, for a traditional olive oil tasting, held in buildings that have been used since the Middle Ages. Afterwards, continue traveling to Polignano a Mare, one of the most spectacular and popular locations on the Apulian Coast. Enjoy a quaint lunch and wine tasting at one of Puglia’s many famed vineyards whose product is featured at Cantoro’s Market. Enjoy Puglia’s signature dishes such as orecchiette pasta, burrata and bread, smoked caciocavallo cheese, and other specialties. Return to your resort in the afternoon and enjoy time at leisure.

Day 4: Tuesday, October 13 - Alberobello

Visit Alberobello to see the famed trulli houses, white homes built with Apulian dry stone that feature characteristic conical roofs. While in Alberobello, you will spend time with a local hostess who will teach you the craft of making homemade orecchiette pasta. Enjoy the fruits of your labor for lunch along with focaccia, grilled vegetables, meatballs, and other traditional food. After lunch, enjoy a tour around the town led by your local host, who will introduce you to different types of trulli houses. Before returning to your resort, visit a local restaurant where Chef Michelle Bommarito will join the local culinary staff to present a highly enjoyable, interactive cooking demonstration.

Day 5: Wednesday, October 14 - Pollino National Park

Travel to Pollino National Park for a morning walk through the woods, led by a truffle hunter and his trained dog. Afterwards, journey to a village in the heart of the National Park where you will see a historic medieval cave and an ancient, native vineyard. Enjoy a light lunch that features a traditional truffle tasting accompanied by country eggs, truffle shavings, and other local food and wines. Return to your hotel in the afternoon and spend time at leisure before feasting on a farewell dinner at your hotel. This dinner features a family-style table filled with several delicacies and local foods.

Day 6: Thursday, October 15 - Return Home

After checking out of your hotel and saying goodbye to Michelle, John, Jamie, and all the other new friends you’ve met, transfer independently to the airport for your return flight home.

This itinerary is subject to change.