PUGLIA | anticoitaliantravel

PUGLIA & MATERA
June 20-27, 2024
October 16-23, 2024

Adventure with us across the plains of Basilicata and over the rocky terrain of the Murgia, to reach the sun drenched stone houses and sparkling beaches of the Adriatic Sea. In the extreme south of Italy lie the white villages of Valle d'Itria. Many travelers do not venture this far south and miss out on the magic of this place. A foodie's dream, Puglia offers the freshest seafood, floral and smokey capocollo from the village of Martina Franca, grano arso (charred grain) pasta from the burning fields of Basilicata, and more hidden culinary treasures.

Accommodation:

2 nights at Sant Angelo Resort in ancient Matera, and 5 nights in your own trullo in Cisternino, Puglia.

Sant Angelo is a luxury resort carved from the tufa stone that makes up the city of Matera. This property has some of the best views of the sassi, modern Italian furnishings, amenities, and is located in the middle of it all, making it perfect for exploring the village on foot.

Our second leg of the trip brings us into Puglia to experience this region through ancient eyes at

Borgo Canonica. Each trullo once used to house farmers, animals and hay, have been converted into a private apartments. Each apartment has all of the modern amenities including air conditioning, en suite bathroom, satellite TV, Wi Fi, swimming pool, on-site bar and restaurant.

DAY 1 WELCOME TO THE SOUTH

We will meet you at Napoli Centrale train station and head to Matera for the next two nights.

Check into Hotel Sant' Angelo then dinner at Stano.

DAY 2, THE SASSI

Discover the ceramic artisans and our favorite wood carver, Massimo, who specializes in hand carving bread stamps, and ancient tradition of Matera. After lunch in Matera, we will visit the Madonna della Idris and an original cave house, (The people of Matera lived in the caves of the sassi until the 1950's!) Dinner tonight at Osteria al Casale in the heart of the sassi.

DAY 3 ANCIENT ART & BREAD

Transfer to Borgo Canonica. On the way, we stop to see some of the oldest frescos in the country only recently discovered, followed by lunch in the town of Altamura, famous throughout Italy for their breads. We'll enjoy a light lunch of local products and the pane di Matera bread baked in ovens which have been in use since the 1400's at Antico Forno Santa Chaira. (You may go in and take a peek at the ovens.) Dinner tonight in a nearby village.

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DAY 4 POLIGNANO A MARE & MONOPOLI

After breakfast, we will drive out to see the dramatic cliffs of Polignana A Mare and the whitewashed village of Monopoli. You'll have free time for shopping, cocktails and lunch at Lido Bianco. Dinner tonight at an agriturismo.

DAY 5 COOKING CLASS AT A MASSERIA.

Hands on cooking class at a16th century masseria with the local casalinge (house wives). Pick fresh vegetables from the masseria's garden to use in the cooking class. Make pasta, focaccia Barese, cheese and other local specialties. Recipes to keep! Dinner tonight at Borgo Canonica.

DAY 6 LUNCH IN THE VINES & DINNER IN OSTUNI

Free morning to enjoy the pool and relax at the Borgo, then we visit nearby Montenapoleone Winery , for a beautiful lunch seated in-between the vines. Tonight we will have aperitivo in the alleys of Ostuni and dinner at Il Tempo Perso.

DAY 7 BARI FOOD CRAWL

Visit the "orecchiette ladies" who make pasta in streets out front of their homes. Try the local street foods during our food crawl throughout the historic center. Visit the church dedicated to Saint Nicholas, (Santa Claus). Dinner tonight in the center of Cisternino.