Day 1. Bari arrival
Day 2. Castel del Monte / Andria / Trani
Day 3. Alberobello / Martina Franca / Locorotondo
Day 4. Cisternino / Ostuni / Manduria / Avetrana
Day 5. Brindisi / Lecce
Day 6. Lecce / Salice Salentino
Day 7. Gallipoli / S. Maria di Leuca / Otranto
Day 8. Departure
"a beautiful land where the sun becomes wine" (Dante Alighieri)
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wine tours....
Puglia wine tours, Puglia cooking classes, Apulia cultural tours, Fly&Drive
Wine production in Apulia is among the first ones in Italy, with Apulian producers mostly focusing on quality production.
Apulia is rich of autochthonous grapes having great potentials, such as Negroamaro, Primitivo and Uva di Troia, which in the last years have become more and more popular, therefore contributing the the rebirth of Apulian wines.
Quality wine leaved an indelible mark in the culture of Apulia: from merum, which in Latin language means "pure wine" or "genuine wine", derives in fact the term mjere, which in Apulian dialect means "wine".
The wines mainly representing Apulia are reds and roses, however in the region are also produced interesting white wines, also with autochthonous grapes.During the tour you will taste the following grape varieties: Moscato of Trani, Verdeca, Malvasia of Salento, Primitivo, Salice Salentino and Negroamaro.
All visits to winemakers involve a visit to the cellars, an introduction to the wines produced hold by the owner or the local oenologist and a wine tasting with some local food specialties.
Inclusions:
· Private transportation from/to airports, restaurants, events and hotels;
· Accommodations in standard double rooms in 4* hotels or farmhouses;
· Daily breakfast and meals as in itinerary, water and local wines included;
· Private visit of wine cellars with wine tasting, as indicated in the itinerary;
· Cheese making demonstration and olive oil tasting, as in the itinerary;
· Private guided visit with an English-speaking local guide;
· Insurance (baggage and medical expenses) ;
· All taxes and entrance fees.
Exclusions:
· All air travel and airport taxes;
· Beverages and meals not specified in itinerary;
· Tips, gratuities and entrance fees to non-stated sites;
· All items of a personal nature (laundry, phone calls, etc.).
Prices on request, depending on:
· Season, number of participants, typology of chosen accommodations.
Day 1 : Bari arrival
Afternoon arrival at Bari airport. You will be picked up by your private driver and taken to your Hotel, where you will check in. Welcome cocktail and light
dinner.
Overnight.
Morning guided tour of Castel del Monte, an unique piece of medieval military architecture and Unesco World Heritage Site. After you will visit Andria's wineries and taste local wines. Lunch based on local cuisine.
Transfer for a guided tour in Trani, visiting the historical center whith its traditional Renaissance architecture and the well known for the famous 13th Century Cathedrals, right on the sea water. Visit to a winery and dinner based on seafood specialities.
Back to the hotel and overnight.
Morning guided tour of Alberobello, the trulli capitol of Puglia recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. Trulli are unique to Puglia and these mysterious buildings, with thick limestone walls and graceful conical roofs, originated hundreds of years ago. Visit to a winery, with out-museum, and wine tasting.
Transfer to Martina Franca, time to explore on your own and have free lunch. In the afternoon guided tour to this nice town, built 431 meters above sea level and affording sweeping views of the surrounding villages. The center is home to the Ducal Palace, built in the latter half of the 17th century by the noble Caracciolo family.
From Martina Franca, you will take a scenic drive overlooking Locorotondo which literally means “round place”, named for the shape of the first village there. In Locorotondo you will enjoy a meat tasting accompained with local wines.
Back to the hotel and overnight.
Day 4: Cisternino / Ostuni / Manduria / Avetrana
Breakfast and transfer to Cisternino for a cheese making. Visit to the historical center and transfer to Ostuni for lunch.
In the early afternoon guided tour of Ostuni, one of the most beautiful villages in Puglia best known as "the White Town", situated in the midst of the green countryside and the blue sea. The historical center of the town is on a hillside, surrounded by small white washed houses overlooking the shore.
Move to Manduria for a visit to a winery and tasting and, at the end, transfer to an amusing farmhouse in Avetrana.
Dinner based on regional cuisine and overnight.
Day 5: Brindisi / Lecce
Breakfast and transfer to Brindisi, for a stroll through the historical centre. Brindisi was a port city grown during Roman times and became important again during the Crusades, which left from its port. Wine tasting in an amusing restaurant, owned by a boutique winemaker, and lunch.
Move to Lecce and free time for relax or shopping. Dinner in typical “trattoria”.
Overnight.
Breakfast and guided tour of Lecce, known to many as the "Florence of the South". In the city center you will immediately notice the Baroque style of architecture, especially while visiting the Basilica di Santa Croce and the Duomo. Perhaps this is partially due to the type of stone found in Lecce, naturally very light and easily shaped into forms such as flowers, fruit or even the human body.
Afternoon guided visit of an ancient winery in Salice Salentino, for a negroamaro wine tasting.
Back to Lecce for dinner, in a characteristic restaurant. Overnight.
Breakfast and transfer for a guided tour of Gallipoli, an island linked to the mainland by a bridge, including the visit to a subterranean olive oil mill followed by an olive oil tasting. Lunch in Gallipoli, based on fish menu.
In the early afternoon move to Santa Maria di Leuca, for a visit to the most southeastern point in Italy well known as " The Finibus Terrae". After you will take a guided “Coast to Coast” tour traveling down the Adriatic shore to the oriental town of Otranto, famous for its 800 Martyrs who refused to renounce their religion during a Turkish invasion. Time for shopping and free dinner.
Back to the hotel and overnight.