Gourmet Puglia

Gourmet Puglia

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8 Days From

$2066

$1816

Gourmet Puglia

8 Days Starting in Bari, Italy and ending in Martina Franca, Italy

Visiting: Bari, Martina Franca, Alberobello, Lecce, Ostuni

Tour operator:

Cosmos

Tour code:

6250-2025

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Low

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural, History

Activities:

Sightseeing, Wine Tasting

From: $2066 $1816 Operator discount: -$251 -12%

NB: Prices correct on 23-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on a delightful culinary journey through Puglia with our "Gourmet Puglia" tour. Begin your adventure in the charming city of Bari, where you can explore the historic streets and savor traditional Apulian orecchiette pasta. Discover the picturesque town of Martina Franca, renowned for its local cheese and "capocollo" ham. Visit the UNESCO-listed Trulli houses in Alberobello and enjoy a day trip to Lecce, famous for its baroque architecture and delectable "pasticciotto" pastries. Learn the art of making orecchiette pasta in a hands-on cooking class and taste exquisite olive oils in Ostuni, the "White Town." This tour promises a rich blend of cultural exploration and gastronomic delights, making it an unforgettable experience in the heart of Italy.

Highlights

  • Explore the seaside city of Bari with its longest waterfront and historical palaces.

  • Marvel at the local women preparing traditional Apulian orecchiette pasta in Bari vecchia.

  • Discover local cheese and "capocollo" ham in Martina Franca.

  • Visit the iconic Trulli houses in Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

  • Experience the vibrant atmosphere and baroque buildings of Lecce.

  • Learn to prepare traditional orecchiette pasta in a cooking class in Lecce.

  • Tour a local olive farm and taste different olive oil flavors in Cisternino.

  • Explore the white-painted architecture of Ostuni, known as "the White Town."

Places You'll See

B&B Hotel Bari

Park Hotel San Michele

B&B Hotel Bari

Park Hotel San Michele

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Arrive In Bari,Italy

Location: Bari

Accommodation Name: B&B Hotel Bari

Welcome to Italy! Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore with the help of the CosmosGO app. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.
ARRIVE IN BARI, ITALY Welcome to Italy! Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore with the help of the CosmosGO app. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.

Day 2: Bari,Martina Franca

Location: Bari

Accommodation Name: Park Hotel San Michele

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Start your Puglia discovery with a guided sightseeing tour of Bari. This seaside city skirting the Adriatic Sea boasts Italy’s longest waterfront and an interesting maze of alleyways, courtyards, and historical palaces. When strolling through the narrow streets of Bari vecchia (old Bari), pause to marvel at the local women preparing typical Apulian orecchiette pasta, made traditionally by hand. Today’s Distance: 46 mi/ 75 km
BARI–MARTINA FRANCA Start your Puglia discovery with a guided sightseeing tour of Bari. This seaside city skirting the Adriatic Sea boasts Italy’s longest waterfront and an interesting maze of alleyways, courtyards, and historical palaces. When strolling through the narrow streets of Bari vecchia (old Bari), pause to marvel at the local women preparing typical Apulian orecchiette pasta, made traditionally by hand.
Today’s Distance: 46 mi/ 75 km (B,D)

Day 3: Martina Franca

Location: Martina Franca

Accommodation Name: Park Hotel San Michele

Meals Included: Breakfast

Get to know the host town of your Puglia foodie adventure on an orientation tour. Discover local cheese and “capocollo” ham. Of course, you will have an opportunity to taste some of these traditional delicacies.Today’s Distance: 13 mi/ 20 km
MARTINA FRANCA Get to know the host town of your Puglia foodie adventure on an orientation tour. Discover local cheese and “capocollo” ham. Of course, you will have an opportunity to taste some of these traditional delicacies.
Today’s Distance: 13 mi/ 20 km (B)

Day 4: Martina Franca,Alberobello,Martina Franca

valezones

Location: Alberobello

Accommodation Name: Park Hotel San Michele

Meals Included: Breakfast

On the included half-day excursion to Alberobello, discover the iconic Trulli. These dwellings, dating from as early as the mid-14th century, are made of roughly worked limestone boulders collected from neighboring fields. Characteristically, they feature pyramidal, domed, or conical roofs built of corbelled limestone slabs. These remarkable Trulli houses were included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites in 1996. The rest of your day is at leisure. Today’s Distance: 17 mi/ 28 km
MARTINA FRANCA–ALBEROBELLO–MARTINA FRANCA On the included half-day excursion to Alberobello, discover the iconic Trulli. These dwellings, dating from as early as the mid-14th century, are made of roughly worked limestone boulders collected from neighboring fields. Characteristically, they feature pyramidal, domed, or conical roofs built of corbelled limestone slabs. These remarkable Trulli houses were included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites in 1996. The rest of your day is at leisure.
Today’s Distance: 17 mi/ 28 km (B)

Day 5: Martina Franca

Location: Martina Franca

Accommodation Name: Park Hotel San Michele

Meals Included: Breakfast

Spend some time discovering Martina Franca on your own, rest, or consider an optional excursion to Altamura, city of ancient palaces, churches and cloisters, known in Italy and beyond for its loaves of bread baked in wood-burning ovens and prepared according to ancient tradition; and Matera, one of the oldest, still inhabited cities in the world preserving evidence of human settlements since the Palaeolithic period in its natural caves carved into the rock.
MARTINA FRANCA Spend some time discovering Martina Franca on your own, rest, or consider an optional excursion to Altamura, city of ancient palaces, churches and cloisters, known in Italy and beyond for its loaves of bread baked in wood-burning ovens and prepared according to ancient tradition; and Matera, one of the oldest, still inhabited cities in the world preserving evidence of human settlements since the Palaeolithic period in its natural caves carved into the rock. (B)

Day 6: Martina Franca,Lecce,Martina Franca

Location: Lecce

Accommodation Name: Park Hotel San Michele

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

One of the highlights of this tour is the included day trip to Lecce. This seaside city enchants visitors with an unmistakable style, boasting monuments dating back to Roman times and, most notably, extraordinary baroque buildings that proudly bare the characteristic blonde color of the local stone. The city center’s vibrant and bustling atmosphere will entice you with its elegant, timeless alleyways and delicious local delicacies, such as the “pasticciotto,” made with sweet short pastry and typically filled with a delicious Italian custard. Learn more about regional food by joining the exciting, included cooking class, to learn hands-on how to prepare traditional orecchiette pasta and savor it with other local specialties, paired with local wines, and good company.Today’s Distance: 62 mi/ 100 km
MARTINA FRANCA–LECCE–MARTINA FRANCA One of the highlights of this tour is the included day trip to Lecce. This seaside city enchants visitors with an unmistakable style, boasting monuments dating back to Roman times and, most notably, extraordinary baroque buildings that proudly bare the characteristic blonde color of the local stone. The city center’s vibrant and bustling atmosphere will entice you with its elegant, timeless alleyways and delicious local delicacies, such as the “pasticciotto,” made with sweet short pastry and typically filled with a delicious Italian custard. Learn more about regional food by joining the exciting, included cooking class, to learn hands-on how to prepare traditional orecchiette pasta and savor it with other local specialties, paired with local wines, and good company.
Today’s Distance: 62 mi/ 100 km (B,L)

Day 7: Martina Franca,Cisternino,Ostuni,Martina Franca

Location: Ostuni

Accommodation Name: Park Hotel San Michele

Meals Included: Breakfast

Learn about olive oil and acquire a taste for different olive oil flavors on the included tour of a local olive farm. Continue the exploration of local towns with great traditions by spending time in Ostuni, where the ancient citadel was built on top of a hill and fortified by walls. The town is commonly referred to as "the White Town" (La Città Bianca in Italian) for its white walls and its typically white-painted architecture.Today’s Distance: 37 mi/ 59 km
MARTINA FRANCA–CISTERNINO–OSTUNI–MARTINA FRANCA Learn about olive oil and acquire a taste for different olive oil flavors on the included tour of a local olive farm. Continue the exploration of local towns with great traditions by spending time in Ostuni, where the ancient citadel was built on top of a hill and fortified by walls. The town is commonly referred to as "the White Town" (La Città Bianca in Italian) for its white walls and its typically white-painted architecture.
Today’s Distance: 37 mi/ 59 km (B)

Day 8: Martina Franca

Location: Martina Franca

Accommodation Name: Park Hotel San Michele

Meals Included: Breakfast

Your Puglia vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
MARTINA FRANCA Your Puglia vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    Stay at B&B Hotel Bari in Bari and Park Hotel San Michele in Martina Franca.

  • Meals

    Daily breakfast is included. Additional meals include dinner on Day 2 and lunch on Day 6.

  • Guided Sightseeing Tour

    Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Bari on Day 2.

  • Orientation Tour

    Orientation tour of Martina Franca on Day 3.

  • Half-Day Excursion

    Included half-day excursion to Alberobello on Day 4.

  • Day Trip to Lecce

    Included day trip to Lecce with a cooking class on Day 6.

  • Olive Farm Tour

    Included tour of a local olive farm on Day 7.

  • CosmosGO App

    Access to the CosmosGO app for exploring on your own.

What's Not Included

  • Optional Excursions

    Optional excursion to Altamura and Matera on Day 5 is not included.

  • Personal Expenses

    Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.

  • International Flights

    International flights to and from Italy are not included.

  • Gratuities

    Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.

Accommodation

Bari: B&B Hotel Bari. Martina Franca: Park Hotel San Michele.

UNESCO Sites

The Trulli of Alberobello

Meals

7 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Check out our Q&As

  • What can I expect on the first day of the Gourmet Puglia tour?

    On the first day, you will arrive in Bari, Italy, and check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the city with the help of the CosmosGO app. In the evening, you will meet your Tour Director and travel companions.

  • What activities are included on the second day of the tour?

    The second day includes a guided sightseeing tour of Bari, where you will explore the city's waterfront, alleyways, courtyards, and historical palaces. You will also have the opportunity to see local women preparing traditional Apulian orecchiette pasta by hand.

  • What culinary experiences are offered during the tour?

    The tour offers several culinary experiences, including tasting local cheese and 'capocollo' ham in Martina Franca, learning to prepare traditional orecchiette pasta in Lecce, and tasting different olive oil flavors on a tour of a local olive farm.

  • What is special about the town of Alberobello?

    Alberobello is known for its iconic Trulli houses, which date back to the mid-14th century. These unique dwellings are made of roughly worked limestone boulders and feature pyramidal, domed, or conical roofs. The Trulli houses are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

  • What can I do on the fifth day of the tour?

    On the fifth day, you have the option to explore Martina Franca on your own, rest, or take an optional excursion to Altamura and Matera. Altamura is known for its ancient palaces, churches, and cloisters, as well as its traditional bread. Matera is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with evidence of human settlements since the Palaeolithic period.

  • What will I experience during the day trip to Lecce?

    During the day trip to Lecce, you will explore the city's Roman and baroque monuments, enjoy its vibrant atmosphere, and taste local delicacies like 'pasticciotto.' You will also participate in a cooking class to learn how to prepare traditional orecchiette pasta and other local specialties, paired with local wines.

  • What is unique about the town of Ostuni?

    Ostuni is commonly referred to as 'the White Town' (La Città Bianca) due to its white walls and typically white-painted architecture. The ancient citadel is built on top of a hill and fortified by walls.

  • How does the tour end?

    The tour ends on the eighth day with breakfast in Martina Franca.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1961

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.

Reviews of this operator

Mrs Susan Hyland  

We have just returned from a Cosmos…

28-Sep-2022

We have just returned from a Cosmos tour- Gourmet Tuscany. We stayed in Montecatini Terme and traveled from there to many wonderful places, in towns and the fabulous Tuscan countryside. We visit Vineyards for wine tastings, farms for cooking lessons and lunches and dinners in authentic Italian restaurants. All assisted by a friendly, informative tour director. First class holiday

Trustpilot
Rick  

Excellent in every respect

08-Dec-2022

I recently did a 2-week "best of Italy" tour with this company. Our guide, Daniella, was fantastic, the itinerary was excellent and they catered for my rather difficult dietary requirements really well. Really happy and will certainly book with them again

Trustpilot
John Lomanno  

A wonderrful experience

09-Nov-2022

WE saw so much. The tour director Mladin was very knowledgeable and made the experience so enjoyable. The bus driver Paul was so nice and helpful. A couple of the hotels had no refrigerators to keep the water cold. We had to carry our own luggage to and from the rooms. There should have been porters to help us. Over all we had a great time.

Trustpilot
Bruce  

Old South &Florida tour

27-Oct-2022

Great organisation, tour guide(Kris) and driver(Tony) who went extra mile and good group of people from all over world. The hotels were excellent in New Orleans and Nashville and very good in other cities. The itinerary was well thought out with visits to Gracelands and Grande ole Oprey topping the bill. We added 3extra nights in New Orleans (giving us 6nights) which was absolutely fab and would advise anyone doing this tour that they consider some extra nights to see and do as much as you can

Trustpilot
Francine Ramos  

The tour director expertise and…

18-Dec-2022

The tour director expertise and personality made the trip all the more pleasant. No stress. The local guides as well added to the beauty of this trip. They were knowledgeable and personable. I also have to mention the travelers (the group of 21). The people were friendly an accommodating. This is my third trip with this tour company and I will continue to travel with this company due to excellent planning and customer service. Thank you

Trustpilot

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