Puglia’s food: the authentic Mediterranean cuisine
Puglia is a food and wine lover's paradise. It is home to the true Mediterranean Cuisine with an emphasis on seafood, vegetables, hand made pasta and bread, artisan mozzarella and olive oil.
The cuisine from Puglia and Lecce is the true peasant cuisine, and the authentic Italian cuisine as cooked in Italian homes. Recipes are based on seasonal ingredients and vary from month to month.
Lecce and Puglia produce excellent extra virgin olive oils, with its more than 50 millions olive trees. Pugliese vintners pursue wines that balance sweetness, acid, alcohol content and density. The region counts 25 D.O.C. wines.
The course includes visits to the best food and fish markets, tours of local farms, introductions to artisans producing home-made pasta, bread, cheese and mozzarella, salami, chocolate, ice-cream, figs with almonds.
You will have the opportunity to learn or practice your language skills while dining at private homes with selected local families or at the best restaurants in Puglia.
In addition to the course, you will also experience the vibrancy of Puglia’s arts and cultures: Pizzica local dances; visits to the artisan workshops (ceramic, papier machè and leccese stone); visits to textile designers who craft the finest fabrics in order to design tailor made clothes.
Accommodation in a beautiful villa with a pool:
What makes this culinary tour so special is the fact that you will stay in a beautiful historical villa palace. The villa palace belongs to a local aristocratic family and dates back to the 17th century. It is close to the countryside and 15 min by the Adriatic sea.
The palace has a huge swimming pool and many beautiful gardens and terraces where to enjoy al fresco meals or where to take a cooking class.
All rooms are huge and have private en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning. The villa is walking distance from the main square where you can experience the relaxed Mediterranean life style. The palace's location is faraway from the tourist tracks.
Location during the culinary week:
Lecce is the beautiful baroque capital of Puglia (Apulia), also known as the Florence of the South. The churches and monuments are astonishing and the whole town is very elegant with its Roman amphitheatre and many squares with coffee bars.
Santa Maria di Leuca, Otranto, Gallipoli, Castro are just some of the many beautiful sea towns with some of the best sandy beaches and cleanest waters in Italy.
Weather in Puglia:
Puglia has a typical Mediterranean climate. It is sunny most of the year. Temperature can be 20-25°C at midday.
Sample Itinerary
Arrival/ Day One:
Arrival at Brindisi airport and private transfer to the masseria. Welcome aperitif and outdoor dinner at the villa prepared by a local cook.
Day Two:
After breakfast, visit of a local fruit and vegetable market.
Lunch in an excellent restaurant! In the afternoon relax by the pool.
Dinner will follow accompanied by a selection of best local wines.
Day Three:
After breakfast, cooking class.
Lunch at the villa.In the afternoon you will relax by the pool.
Dinner at the villa prepared by a local cook.
Day Four:
After breakfast, cooking class.
Lunch based on your creations.
In the afternoon, visit of a beautiful local village. Dinner at the villa.
Day Five:
After breakfast, cooking class.
Lunch will follow based on your creations.
In the afternoon we go to the beautiful Otranto sea town. You will have time to visit the many monuments and for your shopping.
Dinner in a restaurant in Otranto.
Day Six:
After breakfast, we leave for the whole day and we go to Lecce, the beautiful baroque capital of Puglia for the whole day.
Lunch in a famous Slow Food restaurant.
Dinner at the villa prepared by a local cook.
Day Seven:
After breakfast, cooking class.
Lunch based on your creations.
In the afternoon we relax by the pool.
Farewell dinner at the villa prepared by a local cook.
Day Eight:
After breakfast private transfer to BRINDISI airport.
Dates of the program:
Available year-round on request
