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"It's amazing how travel often brings us unexpected and serendipitous moments—from randomly running into Claudia in Bergamo to connecting with one of Jeff's friends at Agriturismo Ferdy, my journey to Northern Italy reminded me of Jeff's connection to this region. From that point on, I was excited to be considered for one of Jeff's tours because I knew that the experience would be incredible. I have never been to Puglia, but I can't wait to connect with the makers and producers of that area and know that Jeff and Claudia will make it incredible." - Ellen Yin
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
World Finest Olive Oil
Learn to select the finest extra virgin olive oil at the Intini Mill, where you’ll taste oils crafted with four generations of expertise since 1928
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 Ceglie Massapica, 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 her 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.
Starting with visiting their dairy to assist with the cheesemaking process, we will follow Vito into the narrow streets to uncover the most talented artisans in the town.
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 their 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 caffe leccese, a traditional iced coffee with creamy almond syrup paired with pasticciotto, a pastry stuffed with cream and cherries. You’ll get to enjoy an enlightening tour of the city and learn why it is known as the ‘Florence of the South’ before a light bite paired with some awesome glasses of wine.
Back at the Masseria, we unwind in anticipation of meeting our friend, chef Anna Maria Chirone, author of one of the most comprehensive Apulian 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 that is marinated in wine and local spices before being lightly smoked.
The Caroli not only produces 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). If you’re traveling from the US, you’ll have to connect in a larger city before arriving in Puglia. Or, another option would be to fly into Rome and take the train to Bari. There is a direct high-speed train that runs from Rome Termini station to Bari Centrale station and takes about 4 hours. We recommend that you arrive in Bari the day before our trip starts. On Sunday, September 27, we’ll meet as a group at 9am at the Airport. The last day of our culinary trip is Sunday, October 4, 2026 when we will reach the Bari Airport around 8,30am.
Who is going on this trip?
We limit the group to 16 travelers, including your host, chef Jeff Michaud, and our friend, restaurateur Ellen Yin. 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 Culinary Guest Ellen Yin, 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 April 30, 2026 and receive a full refund minus a $1500 per person booking fee. If you cancel on or after May 1, 2026 there is a 50% cancellation fee. On or after June 29, 2026, 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?
Due to the minimal number of rooms in our Masseria, we cannot offer single-room occupancy on this trip. Please contact us if you want to share a room with another solo traveler.
Still have questions?
Email us at travel@laviagaia.com
