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A taste of Puglia

Highlights

  • Discover the hidden beauty of Puglia in your own private group with your local host
  • Be hosted by a local artisan potter for the morning, be immersed in local tradition and create your own masterpiece with expert guidance
  • Be taken away from the tourist hotspots to the hidden gems of Lecce which most travellers miss
  • Meet local ateliers and be introduced to the best local pastry shops
  • Get off the beaten track on a marvellous coastal hiking trail where your guide will show you the most breath taking views and best coffee stop
From £1396 pp
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What you'll do

Overview

Experience the very best of Puglia in a weekend. On this private Puglian adventure you will be hosted by an expert local guide and experience Southern Italy off the beaten track. Take a private pottery class with a local artisan, explore gorgeous hidden baroque buildings of Lecce town, hike with a local along the stunning coastal path with panoramic views across the Adriatic.

Puglia – land of sun and sea. Endless countryside scattered with centuries old olive trees, baroque cities and white washed towns. Bursting with local tradition, the ultimate food lovers’ paradise!

You’ll be amazed by the extraordinary history and art of this part of Southern Italy, which is the heel of Italy’s boot, by the vast picturesque landscape, stunning architecture, local traditions and crafts and superb food and wines.

In a private group, hosted by a local, experience a private pottery class, explore magnificent Lecce and a hike along the stunning Adriatic coastline.

Arrival

Pick-up at Bari or Brindisi airport and transfer to your very comfortable hotel in the centre of Lecce.

The evening at leisure to unwind and relax.

Overnight: Lecce

Artisan Ceramic workshop and Discover Lecce

This morning we’re headed to Grottaglie, known as the “city of ceramics” because of the large number of traditional and artisanal pottery workshops scattered around this medieval town. Step inside one atelier and take an inspiring tour of  the workshop, before sitting down to a masterclass with the owner himself to create a ceramic work of art to take home!

We will continue our journey returning to Lecce, commonly called “The Florence of the South”, and spend the afternoon  exploring this beautiful town.

Lecce is a place for experiencing—for wandering the narrow streets of golden sandstone, for finding hidden piazzas, for lazy lunches in wine bars with a view of an extravagantly carved baroque church or the ancient Roman ruins. Treat yourself to local delicacies like puccia (flat bread filled with your choice of salami and everything else!) and pasticciotto (traditional pastry filled with lemon custard), your guide will introduce you to the local favourites.

Back to your hotel and rest of the day at leisure. 

Overnight in Lecce. 

Hiking The Stunning Salento coast

This morning travel to the stunning seaside town of Otranto known as the ‘jewel of  Salento’ for your hiking adventure.

Your guide will lead your trek along  the regional Natural Coastal Park at the bottom of the heel of Italy, a stunning coastal path with panoramic views, from Otranto to Leuca. On clear days from here you can see the Albanian mountains across the Adriatic Sea.

Your guide will take you to see the Aragonese Castle and the Cathedral, consecrated in 1088, which hosts an astonishing mosaic floor known as the “Tree of Life” depicting images from religions around the world. Skulls, bones, and relics of the Martyrs of Otranto, who perished in the 15th century siege surround the high altar. 

On the way back you will make a stop in stunning Galatina to explore the Basilica di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria in where you’ll see frescoes of biblical stories, including the life and passion of  Christ.

The town is also known for its pastries and you will have a well deserved stop for a coffee and “pasticiotto leccese” a delicious pastry filled with ricotta or custard, before continuing on your scenic walk along the beautiful coast line.

In the evening there is the opportunity to choose from one of the wonderful trattoria or restaurants in Lecce, perhaps try a generous vegetable antipasti or hearty plate of pasta, topped off with a gelato and a stroll along the beautifully lit streets.

Puglia is wonderfully vegetarian-friendly (although fish and meat lovers will find plenty on offer too).

 Overnight in Lecce. 

Departure Day

Breakfast followed by a farewell meeting and transfer to Bari/Brindisi airport

What's included

Included

  • Transfers from and to Bari or Brindisi airport
  • Private car/van available throughout the tour
  • 3 nights accommodation in comfortable 4+ star hotels
  • Guided Hiking trail on the coastline
  • Food tastings in Lecce and Galatina
  • All luggage transfers
  • 4 days accompanied by your local professional guide, full of local history, stories and anecdotes about the area and its people
  • Breakfast each day
Your local host

Augusto

Augusto was born and raised in Puglia, sunny South of Italy. After graduating in accountancy, he specialised in International Trade and that was his first approach with foreign people. The experience
proved to be a revelation: realising that he could find a way to sustain a new lifestyle, he qualified as Technical Director of Travel Agency in Bari, where he began working in tourism.

Augusto was born and raised in Puglia, sunny South of Italy. After graduating in accountancy, he specialised in International Trade and that was his first approach with foreign people. The experience
proved to be a revelation: realising that he could find a way to sustain a new lifestyle, he qualified as Technical Director of Travel Agency in Bari, where he began working in tourism.

Augusto image
Sustainability Efforts

What Sustainability Efforts are we Taking?

At Not in the Guidebooks we’re committed to empowering the local communities in Costa Rica. We work closely with the local people and their businesses to make sure that they receive a fair percentage of the money you spend on your holiday there. By partnering with local guides and suppliers, we’re able to create meaningful, authentic experiences that directly benefit the people who call this incredible country home.

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Location

You will be met at Bari / Brindisi airport or an agreed central location and taken to your hotel to settle in.

What our travellers are saying...

We were so blessed to have been connected to this host - as they truly capped off an amazing tour of Italy. Augusto and Mimmo created an experience of a lifetime. We toured a historic oil mill, tasted wines at polvanera winery, saw mozzarella made by hand. We also explored all the incredible sites that Bari, Ostuni, Matera, Polignano, and Gioia en Colle have to offer. Wonderful food, excellent hospitality. Would recommend to anyone looking to exp

Regina

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