PUGLIA ESSENTIALLY MEDITERRANEAN
More Information:
Gargano, Murgia, Valle d'Itria, Salento. History, Wines, Cuisine. Walking or bike itineraries.
Overview
A dazzling, numinous light floods the coasts, and the Apulian plateau, red earth on white limestone.  Endless vineyards stretch, far and wide, amid ancestral canyons and the withewashed towns, clusterd around venerated Romanesque cathedrals, guarded by time-honoured castles.  On all sides, colorful fishermen towns, the deep blue Mediterranean, the shores of our ancient myths. We propose to explore four different areas, from the Apennine, across the Murgia, down to the Salento, each one with his nature, history, lyfestyles, and of course, wines and cuisine.

Highlights
- Whitewashed towns, ancient olive groves, largest Italian vineyards.
- Breathtaking views on scenic canyons, and coasts.
- Castellana caves, Greek-Roman sites,  Romanesque Cathedrals, Castles.
- Visit Matera, Taranto, Alberobello, Manduria, Otranto, Gallipoli, Lecce.
- Primitivo, Aglianico, and Negroamaro tastings at estate or masseria.
- Amazing seafood selections, Murgia style grill, cheese making.
- Options: walking tour, hands-on cooking callses and meals.
- Suggested schedule: 10 or 8 days, start in Trani, end in Lecce.

Suggested Itinerary
Trani, High Murgia, Matera
Trani, was a major medieval haven for Crusaders, as for Venitian, Genovese and Jewish merchants; here you find a Templar church, a large castle, a Synagogue, and an impressive Romanesque cathedral. Travelling across the Andria hills, blanketed with innumerable olive trees, we reach Castel del Monte, a symbol of Puglia itself, an unique octagonal castle, rich of symbolic, and exoteric secrets.

Taranto and Manduria, the Ionian coast

Down to the low, sandy Ionian beaches, past a solitary Greek temple, you find yourself on the originaL the Appian Road  and on the tracks of the earliest civilizations, as well as in the heart of the Primitivo’s vineyards. Taranto, originally a rich, Spartan colony which challenged Rome, is now an active, burstling city, and navy base, with a nice waterfront, fine seafood, and the “Marta”, a fine archeological exposition.  Manduria, preserving vestiges of when it was a Messapian capital, is now the capital of Primitivo wine, with large, modern wineries, near the sea. Taste at two major estates, drive to Grottaglie, to look at its colorful ceramics, made in a row of traditional family workshops.

Itria Valley, Alberobello, the Central Murgia
The central Murgia, unlike most of Puglia, is more green, cooler zone. Good pastures, therefore, great cheeses and meats, from the local sheep and cattle breeds, and some white wine vocated terroirs. Gioia del Colle boasts her original Primitivo, great with its famed provoloni, scamorze, burrata, mozzarella... even better with the legendary grilled meats of Noci, Cisternino, or Martina, in Itria Valley. The valley, noted for the trulli, peculiar stone homes, which form a town in Alberobello, gives fine reds, and whites too, coming from Locorotondo and Martina. All pretty good reasons to discover the more typical Apulia whitewashed hilltops towns.  Suggested stay: Taranto, Locorotondo, or farmhouse resort.

The Salento

Along the Trajan Road, leaving the most amazing olive groves behind, millennary as the ruins of Roman Egnatia, we suddenly are in Salento: flat, warmer, swept by salty marine winds. Climate, land and lyfestyle, all evoke Greece; an archaic atmosphere almost exotic, and hence familiar to us. Centuries of Spanish rule, and Turkish incursions, are witnessed, imn turn, by massive castles and fortified farmhouses, while ornate, oversized baroque churches mark and protect the cities and every little town.

We cruise the Salice, Cellino, San Donaci plain, its largest vineyards, yielding rich Negroamaro, Aleatico and the perfumed Salento Rosé, and pay visits - of course - to our selected wineries. Some “noble”, and historical, other modern and innovative.  We visit Otranto, with a Spanish fort, a majestic Cathedral with Mosaic floor, take a drive to Castro, along a pristine, rugged coast. Walk around picturesque Gallipoli, visit  the subterranean olive mill, enjoy lunch, by the sea.

Taste the Alezio and Galatina refreshing rosé, as the robust reds in our favourite wineries.  Indulge, eventually, to city life in elegant Lecce.  Discover its stunning, elaborate Baroque churches, and mansions, take time to hang around and lok at the elegant shops.  End your tour at the finest restaurant, before heading back home.

Notes
- This long itinerary, is a sample meant to point all the best opportunities. Our guide can customize the tour at your preference. 
- We suggest arriving to Bari, meeting in Trani, end in Lecce, departure from Brindisi.  Bari and Brindisi airports, connect with Rome, Milano and many European airports.

- More information: Please contact us for any additional question, or information about the different regions of Puglia, the artistic heritage, the cuisine and the wines, logistic suggestions, walking or bike tours.