Radical Puglia's 'Experience Puglia' Tour is an eight day, seven night small group tour that will immerse you in the wonders of Puglia.
The tour is run by Salvatore and Roberta. We are two locals who call both Puglia and Australia home.
As Australians, we understand the experience that travellers are seeking, and as Pugliese, we are perfectly placed to provide it.
As locals, we know that the best way to truly experience Puglia is at the pace of Puglia: a long lunch at a Masseria,
exhilarating music workshops, and long strolls through the meandering streets of hilltop towns visiting local artisans.
We pride ourselves that our tour supports the locals. We know that you are concerned about the impact of tourism and we are here to help you make ethical choices and tread lightly as you explore this magical region.
The tour is run by Salvatore and Roberta. We are two locals who call both Puglia and Australia home.
As Australians, we understand the experience that travellers are seeking, and as Pugliese, we are perfectly placed to provide it.
As locals, we know that the best way to truly experience Puglia is at the pace of Puglia: a long lunch at a Masseria,
exhilarating music workshops, and long strolls through the meandering streets of hilltop towns visiting local artisans.
We pride ourselves that our tour supports the locals. We know that you are concerned about the impact of tourism and we are here to help you make ethical choices and tread lightly as you explore this magical region.
Experience the Pizzica Pizzica.
The Pizzica is the heartbeat of the Salento Peninsula.
In our dance and music workshops, run by Salvatore and joined by some of Puglia's leading musicians and dancers, you will learn more about this ancient healing dance and discover the secrets of this captivating style. Exploring the phenomenon of tarantismo, the tour includes attending and participating in Pizzica performances where you can truly immerse yourself in this powerful music and dance.
The rhythm of the tambourine will be the soundtrack of your radical Apulian experience!
In our dance and music workshops, run by Salvatore and joined by some of Puglia's leading musicians and dancers, you will learn more about this ancient healing dance and discover the secrets of this captivating style. Exploring the phenomenon of tarantismo, the tour includes attending and participating in Pizzica performances where you can truly immerse yourself in this powerful music and dance.
The rhythm of the tambourine will be the soundtrack of your radical Apulian experience!
Indulge the Food & Wine.
Indulge in Puglia’s most delicious delicacies, its cheeses: soft stringy burrata, smokey scamorza, fresh giuncata and caciocavallo podolico. Experience the Ricotta Forte’s sting on your tongue. The tour includes watching local artisans work their magic curdling the milk in their laboratories.
Learn the ancient art of curing meat and discover the unique flavours of freshly sliced Capocollo di Martina Franca, one of southern Italy's most sought after cured meats and certified by Slow Food as Puglia's best.
Explore centuries old bakeries where bread is baked daily using local ancient grains to produce the renowned Pane di Altamura. Dip your warm fresh bread in organic olive oil, cold pressed from the ancient olive trees that dot Puglia's landscape.
Wash it down with a glass of Primitivo di Manduria and Negroamaro, from vineyards that have been producing wine since before the Roman Empire.
We have carefully selected the best local producers to visit, with a focus on those who operate according to traditional methods and with sustainability in mind.
Learn the ancient art of curing meat and discover the unique flavours of freshly sliced Capocollo di Martina Franca, one of southern Italy's most sought after cured meats and certified by Slow Food as Puglia's best.
Explore centuries old bakeries where bread is baked daily using local ancient grains to produce the renowned Pane di Altamura. Dip your warm fresh bread in organic olive oil, cold pressed from the ancient olive trees that dot Puglia's landscape.
Wash it down with a glass of Primitivo di Manduria and Negroamaro, from vineyards that have been producing wine since before the Roman Empire.
We have carefully selected the best local producers to visit, with a focus on those who operate according to traditional methods and with sustainability in mind.
Let the Landscapes Enchant You.
Lose yourself in the white-washed Apulian landscapes. Learn about the historical churches and castles. Our tour explores the fortified towns, the traditional trulli and masserie and sun baked ancient olive groves.
Puglia is richly diverse, home to thick forests as well as striking arid vistas. When it's time to relax, you may choose to swim in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean sea, or take a long stroll through a local vineyard.
Puglia is richly diverse, home to thick forests as well as striking arid vistas. When it's time to relax, you may choose to swim in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean sea, or take a long stroll through a local vineyard.
Learn the Ancient Crafts.
Become acquainted with the Apulian ancient crafts directly from Puglia's artisans. Learn to make fresh orecchiette, a regional specialty, as well as some of the local fresh cheeses, which we will make from scratch using the freshest and most ethically sourced local ingredients. Learn the art of baking bread using the traditional sourdough fermentation methods with local ancient grains. Meet some of the local ceramicists that have passed on their skills thorough the generations and admire their work in their local workshops.
Experience Puglia Tour Highlights:
The tour's highlights include:
Inclusions:
Tour Notes:
- Traditional tarantella dance and tamburello workshops (and other instrument if requested)*. Run by Salvatore and joined by some of Puglia's leading musicians, these workshops include learning about the various types of Tarantella characteristic of each area of Puglia: the Tarantella del Gargano, and different local styles of Pizzica Pizzica.
- Traditional music performances and workshops with some of Puglia's leading musicians.
- Visit to a local Caseificio (artisan cheese maker) with demonstration of mozzarella making and tasting of Pugliese cheeses.
- Pasta making workshop (in the comfort of our Masseria learn how to make homemade orecchiette - a traditional Apulian pasta shape, preparing the primo piatto for one of our typical, long, Mediterranean lunches).
- Visit to to an artisan instrument maker's workshop, where you'll have the opportunity to watch a master at work.
- Visit to a traditional Salumificio (artisan cured meat and salami maker) and tasting of local Capocollo di Martina Franca D.O.P.
- Visit to a traditional Frantoio (olive oil grove and press) set amongst ancient olive groves, with local oil tasting.
- Visit to a local winery focusing on traditional and organic wines, with wine tasting of different Pugliese varieties, including Primitivo di Manduria D.O.P and Negramaro D.O.P.
- Visit to the ceramics district in Grottaglie, and artisan's workshop
- Visit to local produce markets, in preparation for one of our typical long Mediterranean lunches.
- Visits to the stunning towns of Ostuni, Ceglie Messapica and other picturesque whitewashed towns of the Valle d'Itria, where you'll have the opportunity to meander through the streets of these historic towns.
- Small group tour - an intimate group of maximum 12 participants
- The tour's accommodation is in two locations, one in a Masseria in the countryside, and the other at an Albergo Diffuso in a town - the best of both - you'll get to settle in to each place, and experience them like a local, with a local.
Inclusions:
- All accommodation is included.
- All breakfasts and most lunches and dinners are included - refer to detailed itinerary for more information. Dietary Requirements can be catered for on request - please contact us to discuss.
- All entry fees and costs for the workshops and activities are included.
- All transport during the tour is included for all program activities
- Relaxation time is included in the schedule, as well as independent exploration. Our tour is designed to be stress free, and there is no pressure to do any more than you choose during each day.
Tour Notes:
- We are with each tour at all times, either staying at the same accommodation or nearby, and always easily contactable.
- * Mandolin, Button Accordion, Accordion and Voice lessons with prominent local musicians can be arranged.
