Join Us!
I am so excited to take you to stunning Puglia! With its breathtaking beauty and simple & hearty cuisine, this region has been the destination of our family's Summer vacations for quite a few years now. After exploring the region from north to south, last year, Claudia and I decided to focus on the Valle d'Itria and travel each day to places where the culinary heritage of the past is not only maintained but also shared with passion by the most talented artisans.
Come and meet my friends!
Discover Traditions
Extraordinary Coastline
The iconic cliffs of Polignano a Mare and the beach of Monopoli embraced by the crystal-clear water of the Adriatic Sea
The Bombette
Rolled up capocollo stuffed with Apulian caciocavallo cheese, the bombette (little bomb) are an "explosion" of flavors
Baroque in Lecce
With its intertwining of Romanesque and Baroque architecture Lecce is known as “The Florence of the South”
Your Experience
Our heavenly retreat is perfect for whiling away our hazy, southern Italian days
Learn to make typical dishes that reflect the excellence of the Apulian territory
A one-of-a-kind day in Altamura to dive deep into Puglia's spectacular culinary heritage
Make traditional burrata, stracciatella and nodini with curds from rich, fresh milk, produced from Mariangela family's farm
Itinerary
Trulli, gently rolling countryside, olive oil, white wine, capocollo ham, easy access to the beaches of the Adriatic and the Ionian seas, and half a dozen super, picturesque towns, including Locorotondo, Martina Franca, Polignano a Mare, Ostuni, Altamura, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello.
Our Apulian home is nestled within a valley of vineyards in the heart of the Itria Valley. Our Masseria is a charmingly restored farmhouse dating back just under 300 years with many original features still intact. Each of the ten en-suite bedrooms showcases different historical characteristics. Outside, multiple stone courtyards, private gardens and an expansive pool deck will make for magical al fresco experiences throughout our stay. Combining the autonomy and relaxed ambiance of a private house with outstanding service you'll feel embraced by the warm hospitality of the Masseria staff.
DAY ONE
Benvenuti! This morning, Jeff welcomes you at the Bari International Airport and together we reach Bari Vecchia. It is the old part of Bari, a magical and fascinating place, surrounded by the sea, where history and tradition merge and create an incredibly charming atmosphere. We'll enter the maze of streets through the city's fortified walls to enjoy a stroll between outstanding Churches - St. Nicholas Basilica and Bari Cathedral and the orecchiette pasta ladies before our first taste of local recipes.
Later, we settle into our rooms at the Masseria and relax for the rest of the afternoon. As you meander through the extensive gardens and ancient streets carved in stone, nature welcomes you, overwhelming you with its sound, colors, and the unforgettable scent of the local vegetation.
Tonight we'll head to the charming village of Ceglie Messapica for a magical dinner experience in a Michelin Guide restaurant.
DAY TWO
After a delicious breakfast carefully prepared by our casalinghe (the ladies of the house), we'll head to Altamura for a one-of-a-kind gastronomic experience with our friends Vito and Paolo.
After visiting their dairy to assist with the cheesemaking process, we will follow Vito through the narrow streets to uncover the town’s most talented artisans.
Puglia is Italy's granary and the top quality wheat grows in Altamura. We will get to taste nutty, crusty bread baked in ancient ovens, soft focaccias drenched in olive oil, and delicious pastries. Our lunch is a unique location in nature where Vito will delight us with his most interesting cheeses paired with wines from small family-run wineries.
Back at the Masseria we can unwind at the pool or take a walk in the property's surrounding paths.
Tonight we'll taste the farm-to-table seasonal goodies prepared by our chef while sipping wine under the stars and enjoying a performance of Pizzica, a typical Apulian dance.
DAY THREE
Today, we explore a different side of Puglia to admire its stretch of coastline. Every town with its artistic structures and every port constitutes distinct pieces of a marine mosaic that is among the most multiform and appreciated in the Mediterranean.
From the seaside promenade of Monopoli, a place where you still get a taste of southern Italian daily life, we'll reach the sheer cliffs over the deep water of Polignano a Mare. We can't miss the opportunity to feast on the freshest Mediterranean fish at a local favorite restaurant overlooking the water.
After lounging at the Masseria, we visit the magical white city of Ostuni, an imposing citadel overlooking the olive plains to the Adriatic. We'll zip through the tiny winding streets on a tuk-tuk (no worries, we'll have drivers) before dinner, and we close our day at our friend Riccardo's place for excellent drinks under the stars of Ostuni.
DAY FOUR
This morning we enjoy the grounds of our Masseria with a walk in the Estate's vineyards, a bike ride, or some poolside lounging. Luciano, the chef of our house will bring to the kitchen the fresh vegetables and herbs grown in the garden and, with Jeff, will host a fun cooking class. Learn to make pizza and panzerotti from scratch and to prepare a garden scapece. We will savor these simple and flavor-packed recipes in a convivial lunch under our pergola.
We reach the center of Alberobello, famous worldwide for its whimsical Trulli; canonical stone roof structures that look straight out of a fairy tale. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, is almost entirely made up of impeccably renovated and preserved trulli.
Following an easy stroll in the center, we'll gather for dinner in a courtyard surrounded by trulli. Native chef Matarrese is devoted to the valorization of his hometown products. His menu highlights Alberobello's cacioricotta, salicornia (the typical sea asparagus), and over 100 Apulian olive oil labels.
DAY FIVE
Easy morning under the Puglian sun before we head out to meet Mariangela at her family’s organic farm. A place where they exclusively raise Bruna Alpina cows for the excellent protein quality of its milk that offers more elasticity and flavors to their burrata, mozzarella, caciocavallo, caciotta, and scamorza cheeses. An informative and engaging workshop on traditional dairy products with Mariangela will bring us to her table for a simple and delicious lunch featuring other delicacies grown on their farm.
Back at the Masseria, we enjoy some refreshing aperitifs expertly prepared by our bartender playing up on Apulian scents and aromas as we take in the marvelous sunset.
Dinner tonight is "meaty". A butcher shop tucked in a narrow alley in Martina Franca where we taste an array of the region’s best meats: straccetti, gnummarieddi, zampina and more slowly roasted in wood-fired ovens fornelli using a traditional technique borrowed from the Arabs for unique flavors.
DAY SIX
This morning we leave our oasis to admire some of Puglia's art. Its coastal position meant the region was invaded and colonized more times than it would care to remember, and each dynasty from the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines to the Normans and Spanish left its mark.
Lecce is arguably Puglia’s most handsome city, with imposing baroque architecture and a grand, stately feel. We start with a reinvigorating mid-morning espresso or caffe leccese, a traditional iced coffee with creamy almond syrup. You’ll get to enjoy an enlightening tour of the city and learn why it is known as the ‘Florence of the south’ as we delight in street food bites paired with some awesome glasses of wine and treat ourselves with a pasticciotto, a pastry stuffed with cream and cherries.
Back at the Masseria, we unwind in anticipation of meeting our friend, chef Anna Maria Chirone, author of one of the most comprehensive Puglia recipe books, Il Gusto del Tacco d'Italia. We first met Anna Maria back in 2019 when she held a terrific pasta class for our group of friends in Santa Maria di Leuca. Jeff and her share a passion for traditional pasta, and you can join them in the preparation of exquisite dishes like orecchiette con cime di rapa, sagne ncannulate con pesto di mùgnuli, cavatelli alla tarantina, and taiedda. A few hours spent with Anna Maria is guaranteed to be one of the finest introductions to Puglia's food culture available.
Our dinner will be expertly paired by our Sommelier, who will guide us through a tasting of the region's native wines like Nero di Troia, Primitivo, Negroamaro, and Greco Bianco.
DAY SEVEN
After our freshly made Italian breakfast, we head out to Martina Franca a fourteen-century town that rises in the middle of the Itria Valley to uncover the culinary heritage of the famed local ham, Capocollo. Exclusively made from Apulian Black Pigs raised in the wild, this breed is a Slow Food Presidium, which preserves its biodiversity. We'll watch the norcini masters of the Caroli Family transform the meat into the famous Capocollo di Martina Franca, which is marinated in wine and local spices before being lightly smoked.
The Caroli produces not only top-quality cured meats but also Extra Virgin Olive Oil beautifully balanced and round, with fruity and light grassy flavors. After welcoming us for a tour of their family olive mill, we will feast on their cured and grilled meats with refreshing vegetables and fragrant bread paired with an array of Paniere di Puglia wines.
Our afternoon back at the Masseria gives us time to pack, relax, and enjoy one more magical sunset before our "Last Supper." A celebratory meal at one of Italy’s top 50 Osteria in Putignano.
DAY EIGHT
One last breakfast and we say ARRIVEDERCI to Puglia... We'll be back for more!
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What You Need To Know
Read our FAQs below. Or email us at travel@laviagaia.com.
What does the price include?
Seven nights luxury accommodation in double occupancy at the Masseria; private van with driver for all trips and excursions in itinerary; group transfers from and to the Bari Airport BRI (see arrival/departure details); private tours with local guides and cultural experts; exclusive VIP access and tastings; guided activities; entrance fees; daily breakfasts, lunches and dinners with wine; gratuities.
What does the price not include?
International roundtrip airfare; travel insurance; transportation to the trip’s starting point; activities not included in the trip itinerary; hotel incidentals including laundry service; personal expenses, and private transfers.
What are the arrival & departure details?
The trip starting and ending point is the Bari Airport (BRI). We recommend that you arrive in Bari the day before our trip starts. On Sunday, May 18, we’ll meet as a group at 9am at the Airport. The last day of our culinary trip is Sunday, May 25, 2025 when we will reach the Bari Airport around 8,30am.
Who is going on this trip?
We limit the group to no more than 16 travelers and your host chef Jeff Michaud. In this culinary trip, you can expect to be joined by a group of like-minded people, who share your passion for Italian food and traditions - including solo travelers, couples and friends traveling together. This trip is recommended for travelers aged 18 or older and that do not have mobility issues due to the uneven grounds and steps typical of the architecture of this destination.
Who is leading this trip?
This trip is led by our founder, Chef Jeff Michaud. With his family, he traveled through this region and crafted your itinerary for the week. We’ll be joined throughout our adventure by local chefs, artisans, and expert guides who are deeply knowledgeable with respect to local cultures, customs and history and are passionate about sharing that with us.
What is the cancellation policy?
You may cancel on or before January 18, 2025 and receive a full refund minus a $500 per person service fee. If you cancel on or after January 19, 2025 there is a 50% cancellation fee. On or after March 18, 2025, there is a 100% cancellation fee. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance as we are not able to make exceptions to this policy in cases of family/medical emergency or cases of the trip being canceled (See our Terms and Conditions for full details).
What Travel documents are needed?
U.S. citizens are not required to have a visa for tourist visits to Italy but are required to show a valid US passport. It is recommended that your passport is valid for six months after your travels are over.
Can this itinerary be booked for a private group?
Yes! We can customize this trip itinerary at a time that is most convenient for you and your friends. The minimum number of participants for a private trip is 10. For more information contact us at travel@laviagaia.com.
Do I need to pay a solo traveler supplement?
Yes, there is a $2,500 supplement for solo travelers, to be paid at the time of booking to secure a private room. Single spots are very limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. (See our Terms and Conditions for full details).
Still have questions?
Email us at travel@laviagaia.com
