The cuisine is one of the best ways to bring you to the heart of Puglia and Southern Italy.
This beautiful region is home to the authentic Mediterranean Cuisine with an emphasis on seafood, fresh vegetables, legumes, mozzarellas, cheese and olive oil. Puglia ranks number one in the production of olive oil, and number two in almond production within Italy. When the almond trees are in bloom, the air is rich with its sweet scent.
Puglia’s cuisine is delicious, yet simple at the same time. It is in essence a home-based cuisine. It is perfect for those who follow a vegetarian diet as well as for those who enjoy the authentic Mediterranean food. It melts together flavors in which you can taste the equilibrium between the sun, land, sea and wind.
Stile Mediterraneo Cooking School organizes luxurious culinary events in Puglia which are designed to include an authentic experience that best captures the unique food and traditions of this Mediterranean cuisine.
Cinzia and Marika will be your hosts and chefs for the week. They will meticulously plan every single detail of your experience to insure only the best for your luxurious vacation in Puglia.
Your cooking classes are held in the family's beautiful palazzo.
Cooking classes are small (limited to six people per week), hands-on and the approach is very personal and relaxed. This programs combines dishes with the best wines from Puglia and Southern Italy.
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.
In addition to the course, you will also experience the vibrancy of Puglia’s arts and cultures: Pizzica local dances; visits to local artisan workshops (ceramic, papier machè and leccese stone); visits to textile designers who craft the finest fabrics in order to design tailor made clothes.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival & Welcome Dinner
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Arrival in Brindisi airport in the early afternoon and private transfer to your accommodations for the week
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Time to relax and meet your hosts.
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Dinner at the B & B with your host family
Day 2 - Lecce
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After breakfast, visit of a famous papier-maché artisan in Lecce
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Lunch at a typical restaurant in Lecce
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Visit of a famous ice-cream artisan
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Afternoon cooking class followed by dinner
Day 3 - Wine day
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After breakfast, visit of one of the best local vineyards.
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Lunch at a farmhouse in the countryside
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Afternoon cooking class followed by dinner
Day 4 - Afternoon Cooking & Farewell Dinner
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Free time to explore Lecce
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Afternoon cooking class followed by your farewell dinner with your hosts
Day 5 - Arrivederci to Puglia!
Private transfer to the Brindisi airport.
Total price per peson is 1650 Euro, based on double occupancy.
Single supplement is 200 Euro for a single room
The price includes:
- 6 Nights Accommodations in a luxurious B & B
- Breakfast each morning
- 5 Daily Hands-on Cooking classes
- Visits to the market
- Visits to local artisans
- All meals at the House (private dinner after the class and small lunch before the class)
- Lots of wines, drinks and food throguhout the day - You will not go hungry or thirsty on this tour!
Price does not include: airfares; travel insurance; optional activities.
Accommodations
The accommodations for this tour are in a charming Bed and Breakfast located in a small village (Squinzano) outside Lecce, the baroque capital of Puglia.
This Bed and Breakfast is an elegant historical palace which has been recently restored and decorated as a typical Italian house. You will live with an authentic Italian family and experience the local home life. The Stile Mediterraneo palazzo dates back to the end of XIX th century and includes a large terrace where you can relax at the sun while reading a book. All rooms are very large and with all comforts: bathrooms (showers) and air conditioning.
The Bed and Breakfast is walking distance from the historical centre of a small village still unspoiled by tourists and where the artisans produce their products in a traditional way. The Stile Mediterraneo House is the ideal location for a gourmet and wine holiday because all the area around Lecce is famous for its cuisine, extra virgin olive oils and wines. Also, the Stile Mediterraneo House provides bikes for a relaxing ride around the beautiful vineyards and coutryside or for a visit to the white sandy beaches. The bed and breakfast organizes bike tours to visit the best local artisans and wine makers.
The B&B is 10 min drive from Lecce; half an hour drive from Ostuni or Cisternino. The village is surrounded by a beautiful countryside and is close to the beach.
If you wish to extent your trip, either before or after your tour, we will be happy to assist you with those details. The rate per day is 80 Euro, based on double occupancy and availability. Please contact us at info@ciaolaura.com to enquire about this option.
Booking and Deposit
To confirm your reservation, we require a deposit of 1000 Euro per person. Final payment of 650 Euro per person is due 90 days prior to the beginning of the class. If you book the class within 90 days, payment is due in full to confirm your reservation.
Cancellation Policy
We strongly urge the purchase of cancellation insurance. The school reserves the right to cancel the tour prior to its start, in which case the money paid for the course would be refunded in full.
Occasionally changes must be made in a scheduled program because of circumstances beyond control, but the school will make every effort to find an equally interesting alternative.
