Puglia’s food: the authentic Mediterranean cuisine
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.
This family owned and operated cooking school in Puglia organizes luxurious culinary events 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.
Previous guests who joined this culinary tour in Puglia said this is a unique food and wine experience because:
-The three cooking classes are truly hands-on and private (you receive full attention by TWO instructors speaking fluent English).
- All restaurants included are reviewed in the best guides as some of the best in Puglia.
- During the cooking classes and following meals, you taste famous wines, winners of international awards.
- Once you arrive in Puglia, you don’t have to worry about renting a car or which places to visit.
- Everything is included in the itinerary: first class accommodation, all breakfasts, all lunches, all dinners, all transfers, a private tour escort, all wines.
- You are well cared for by your lovely hosts, who are very warm and professional after many years of international work experience. They spend lots of time visiting the places to include (making sure you don’t spend your holiday in a bus) and selecting artisans so that you see things you wouldn’t be able to see through a tourist guidebook!
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival & Welcome Dinner
Arrival in Brindisi airport in the early afternoon and private transfer to your accommodations for the week.
Time to relax and meet your hosts.
Welcome dinner in a very nice restaurant with your hosts (house wine included)
Day 2 - Lecce
After breakfast, visit of a famous papier-maché artisan in Lecce
Lunch in a typical restaurant in Lecce (house wine included)
Visit of a famous ice-cream artisan
Afternoon cooking class followed by dinner based on your creations (famous wines included)
Day 3 - Wine day
After breakfast, visit of one of the best local vineyards.
Lunch in a beautiful farmhouse in the countryside.
Afternoon cooking class followed by dinner based on your creations based on your creations (famous wines included)
Day 4 – Mozzarella Artisan
After breakfast, visit of a delicious mozzarella artisan who will hand make delicious cheese in front of us.
We will also visit a famous bakery shop which makes amazing breads and focaccia! (famous wines included)
Lunch based on the mozzarella, cheese, bread and focaccia freshly made in the morning.Afternoon cooking class followed by your farewell dinner with your hosts based on your creations (famous wines included)
Day 5 - Arrivederci to Puglia!
After breakfast, private transfer to the Brindisi airport.
Total price per peson is 1490 Euro, based on double occupancy. Single supplement is 160 euro for a single room and the price wil be lower for groups of 5 or more.
A private week is available for one person at a rate of 1790 euro.
The price includes:
- 4 nights accommodation in an elegant B & B
- Breakfast each morning
- 3 Daily Private Hands-on Cooking classes
- Visits to local artisans
- All meals (private dinners after the classes; other lunches and dinners in select restaurants)
- Lots of wines, drinks and food throughout the day - You will not go hungry or thirsty on this tour!
- Private tour escort
- Transfers for the excursions
- Transfers to and from Brindisi airport
Please note - if you wish to provide your own accommodations in Puglia, you may join just the cooking classes and artisan visits - please inquire for availability before booking your hotel.
Alternative - 1 Day of Cooking & Wine in Puglia
Accommodations
The accommodation for this tour is in a charming Bed and Breakfast located nearby 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 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 palace 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.
The B & B also 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 30% per person. Final payment is due 60 days prior to the beginning of the class. If you book the class within 60 days, payment is due in full to confirm your reservation.
Cancellation Policy
For cancellations notified 30 days before arrival we will refund you the amount you paid, deducted the deposit. For cancellations after this date we will charge you for the whole amount you paid.
We strongly urge the purchase of trip cancellation and travel 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.
