Salento Countryside

Flavours of Puglia

Destination
Salento Countryside
Dates From
01/01/2025
Duration
7 Nights
8 Days
Price From
Contact Us For Further Details
Book Now

BOUTIQUE SMALL GROUP CULINARY TOUR

Nicknamed the “heel of Italy,” Puglia is a sun-drenched coastal region in the southeast of the country. Our base for this cookery holiday is in the heart of the Salento area, southern Puglia, a region rich in culinary inspiration. Over centuries, the local cuisine has been shaped by various influences from neighboring cultures and invaders. Puglia’s natural bounty provides most of Italy’s olive oil, robust wines, and intensely flavorful ingredients like olives, almonds, and figs. Here, you’ll learn to cook regional specialties such as orecchiette (the ear-shaped pasta) with cima di rapa and seafood risotto made from the freshest local catch.

In addition to the stunning turquoise sea and long sandy beaches, you’ll experience cultural gems like the Baroque cathedral in Otranto, famous for its mosaic floors that rival those of Ravenna. The city of Lecce, with its more than 40 churches and elegant palazzi from the 17th and 18th centuries, is another highlight. South of Lecce, the landscape opens up with vast olive groves and vineyards stretching between dry-stone walls, while the coastline features turquoise waters and dramatic red cliffs—the ideal backdrop for a week of culinary indulgence and relaxation.

Our guests stay in two magnificent villas in Puglia, including Casino Pisanelli. This beautiful estate, set in the rural heart of Salento, is a hidden gem. Once a 17th-century hunting lodge built for a local count, Casino Pisanelli is now exclusively available to our guests for part of the year. The villa is a stunning blend of traditional and modern design, surrounded by formal gardens and featuring a gorgeous swimming pool—the perfect place to unwind after a day of cooking.

Highlights & Inclusions

  • Five hands-on cookery lessons with our expert local Italian chefs
  • Stay in a beautifully restored 17th-century hunting lodge, transformed into a luxurious retreat
  • Private, en-suite accommodation in our stunning Puglian villa
  • Explore charming local towns, including Lecce, often called the "Florence of the South"
  • Enjoy all meals and wine, including two dining experiences at local restaurants
  • Private transportation throughout your stay
  • Group airport transfers included (Provided you are able to meet them. Please enquire about transfer times.)
  • No single supplement

Itinerary

Day 1: Group Transfer to the Villa

Upon arrival at Brindisi Airport, our transfer will greet you and take you to the villa. Settle in, relax with welcome drinks, and enjoy dinner prepared by our local chef.

Day 2: First Cookery Lesson and Visit to Santa Maria di Leuca

After breakfast, kick off your culinary journey with your first cooking lesson led by Chef Antonio, followed by a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, visit the scenic town of Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Ionian and Adriatic Seas converge. Enjoy an aperitivo and dinner at a local trattoria.

Day 3: Second Cookery Lesson and Private Wine Tasting

Begin your day with breakfast and your second hands-on cookery lesson. After lunch, we’ll visit a local winery in the late afternoon for a private wine tasting. Return to the villa for a delightful dinner prepared by the chef.

Day 4: Sightseeing in Lecce and Otranto

Today, we’ll journey to Lecce, known as the ‘Florence of the South,’ after breakfast. Explore this stunning city and enjoy lunch at a traditional trattoria. In the afternoon, visit the coastal town of Otranto, with its famous Cathedral and exquisite medieval mosaic floor. Dinner will be served back at the villa.

Day 5: Cooking Lesson and Relaxation

Enjoy another cooking lesson with Chef Antonio in the morning, followed by lunch. The afternoon is yours to unwind—relax by the pool, take a stroll around the olive groves, or simply enjoy the villa’s peaceful ambiance. Dinner will be prepared by your chef.

Day 6: Day Trip to Gallipoli and Dinner at a Trattoria

After a morning cookery lesson and lunch, visit the charming town of Gallipoli on the Ionian Sea in the late afternoon. Stroll through the old town and watch the fishing boats come in before enjoying dinner at a local trattoria.

Day 7: Final Cooking Lesson and Farewell Dinner

Wrap up your culinary experience with a final cooking lesson in the morning. After lunch, spend the afternoon relaxing before celebrating your week with a special farewell dinner, lovingly prepared by your chef.

Day 8: Group Transfer to the Airport

After breakfast, your transfer will take you back to the airport. Arrivederci!

DATES & PRICES

Starts Ends Price Status Book
01/01/202531/12/2025On RequestOn Request
Book Now
Terms and Conditions

Exclusions

Airfare and luggage charges
Meals other than those indicated, beverages in addition to the reasonable amount provided during meals
Travel insurance
Passport and other documentation fees
Items of a personal nature i.e. laundry, phone calls, mini bar etc, tipping and shopping
Single supplement (if required and if available)
Optional excursions/sightseeing
City Tax: some City Councils may introduce a tourist tax that has to be paid directly at the hotel

* Please note, price is subject to fluctuation and availability is subject to change until booked and confirmed. *