Photo Credit: Alexandra Talucci
Burrata, Primitivo & orecchiette
Puglia & Basilicata Italy 2024
Dates: March 18 - March 24, 2024 (6 nights, 7 days)
Price: Check: $4,050 Credit Card: $4,250 (Single Supplement additional $800 check/cc)
"Italy is the ultimate dream date: impossibly good-looking, impeccably cultured and obscenely good in the kitchen. Endlessly inspiring and naturally flirtations, it will leave you swooning long after that bittersweet 'Arrivederci'."
-Christian Bonetto, Lonely Planet
Itinerary
Sam Talucci has assembled a curated food, wine and culture trip to the Puglia and Basilicata regions in Italy. The trip begins and ends in Bari. The trip is six nights and seven days. We will travel the length of the peninsula stopping for the evening in small iconic towns and wineries to experience this area like a local. Did we mention eating the local cuisine or tasting the bold wine? We will enjoy three different wine tastings, and lunches and dinners are at locations that are Michelin Starred, Bib Gourmand or Plate restaurants. Have we enticed you yet?
We will start and end in Bari, the capital city of Puglia. This port city encompasses 11th century Basilica of San Nicola and the Murat quarter famous for its 19th century architecture. After meeting in Bari we will enjoy the afternoon and evening in this vibrant city. Day 2 – We travel south and visit a winery and olive oil producer, then on to the Trulli houses in Alberobello, eventually ending the day in Lecce. Day 3- We take a day trip from Lecce and travel south to Otranto and visit 15th century Argonese Castle and the 11th century Otranto Cathedral, Day 4- We travel north toward Matera, on the way we will visit the Mataponto and the Greek Temples of Athena, Apollo, Hera and Aphrodite. Day 5 Continue our adventure visiting the ancient city of Matera a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see the preserved cave churches. Day 6 -The following day we will travel back to Bari for our final evening. We will say our farewells that evening and enjoy a leisurely breakfast as we depart this amazing area of Italy.
We are offering a rate via check for $ 4,050.00 (fill out this form) otherwise to pay online it is $4,250 for a credit card transaction per person based on double occupancy, there is a single occupancy up-charge of $ 800.00 check/CC. If you are ok to have a shared same gender room partner you can forgo the up-charge. Find out what’s included here.
For a more detailed itinerary and the all inclusive trip details please contact us taluch@taluch.com
Regions
Puglia, a southern region forming the heel of Italy’s “boot,” is known for its whitewashed hill towns, centuries-old farmland and hundreds of kilometers of Mediterranean coastline. The Capital Bari is a vibrant port and university town, while Lecce is known as “Florence of the South” for its baroque architecture. Alberobello and the Itria Valley are home to “trulli,” stone huts with distinctive conical roofs.
Basilicata is a region of forests and mountains in southern Italy. It borders the Calabria and Puglia regions, as well as the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas. The city of Matera is known for its Sassi district, a vast, hillside complex of cave dwellings dating back thousands of years. The complex is part of the Murgia Matera area, a gorge between Matera and Montescaglioso that includes around 150 rock-cut churches.
Highlights
Alberobello an Unesco World Heritage site. A town that is home to the “trulli”, which are white washed stone buildings with a conical roof. Found on the western side of town the trulli are roughly 1500 houses packed densely together. They date back to the 14th century.
Matera may be the world’s third longest continually inhabited cities. Here you can see the cave dwelling cut into the limestone tufa along the Gravina Gorge. In 2019 this city was named the European Capitol of Culture.
Sam Talucci
Taste the freshness of seafood, the richness of olive oil and the ripe fruits and vegetables. These regions are full of some of the best flavors of Italy. Feel the breeze from the Adriatic Sea. Stand among the ancient olive trees.
Lecce is “the Florence of the South”. It has a spattering of well preserved Baroque architecture from its 17th century architects. One could pleasantly get lost wandering the narrow streets of this stunning city.
Culinary Adventure Guide, Facilitator of Fun, Libations and Viands
Sam Talucci is a Chef, Restaurateur, Educator, Leadership and Organizational Development Consultant and Entrepreneur who’s personal and professional mission is to help individuals and groups identify the patterns that exist in their relationships. He brings this skill to meld groups of diverse travelers.
Sam brings 25 years of expedition and trip leadership experience. He has designed, developed and led NOLS alumni trips in Italy and Ireland for the past eleven years. Sam holds a current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and CPR certification.
Sam grew up in Milano, Italy. He speaks Italian fluently. His love for the culture, food, history and landscape was fostered early on in life. Sam has a great eye for culinary experiences, and a knack for finding the local and favorite restaurant. Sam has nearly four decades of experience in the restaurant/hospitality industry and a culinary degree in Classical French Cooking. Sam was the owner and operator of the award-winning Magnolia Café in Philadelphia.
Sam brings his love of travel, food, wine and culture to these trips. From hotels to restaurants and vineyards, join us and spend time with Sam in some of his favorite places with some of his amazing colleagues and friends.
PLEASE REVIEW OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE CANCELLATION REFUND POLICY OR CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING PAYMENT.