|
  (Options: Day Cooking Classes, Italian Lessons, Custom Tours)
Puglia, Italy - 3 or 6 nights
Available April to November
Puglia, the heel of Italy's boot, is an ideal location for a gourmet holiday. Puglia is home to the true Mediterranean Cuisine with an emphasis on seafood, vegetables, legumes, hand-made pasta. Puglia’s cuisine is delicious, yet simple at the same time. It is in essence a home-based cuisine. Puglia produces the largest amount of extra virgin olive oil in Italy and is one of Italy's largest wine producers. When travelling through Puglia, you will notice long rows of grape vines that stretch off into the distance.
Puglia is home to some of the brightest seas, most beautiful sandy beaches, brilliantly whitewashed towns, a landscape graced with over fifty million ancient olive trees and the kindest people in all of Italy. In addition, Puglia enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot dry summers. Summer temperatures average between 25°C and 30° C making any month of the year wonderful to visit. The two sisters Cinzia and Marika will be your hostesses in Puglia. They are both native to Puglia and speak fluent English and French. Cinzia and Marika will teach you traditional recipes, with a focus on the healthy benefits of the Mediterranean cuisine of Puglia. Classes are hands on, in English and for small groups. Cinzia and Marika discovered their passions about food and wines at a young age when their grandmother taught them the secrets of how to make hand-made “orecchiette” pasta; or when their grandfather allowed them to squeeze the grapes with their feet during the harvest season. They have since loved to host family and friends, cooking great food, trying new recipes, tasting fantastic wines! 
Having earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in Boston and worked for many years in New York and London, Cinzia learned about the most diverse and international cultures, tastes and cuisine. Eager to contribute to her home-land, and passionate about the wine, food and hospitality sectors she decided to move back to Puglia. Cinzia is also a wine sommelier and extra virgin olive oil taster. Marika is a clinical Cardiologist at Lecce's main hospital. During the cooking classes she explains all the benefits of a true Mediterranean cuisine. Equipped with their intimate knowledge of Puglia and Southern Italy, Cinzia and Marika provide an authentic experience of the region, showing aspects rarely seen by travelers and that only locals know. For the accommodation, Cinzia & Marika will help you choose the best B&B or hotel in Lecce based on their past guests’ reviews and comfortably located for you to attend their cooking classes and tours. You will be able to choose and pay them directly so to keep them up to your needs and budget. Cinzia and Marika will organize all transfers from your accommodation in Lecce to their cooking school. This holiday is a unique food and wine experience of Puglia, because:  -the three cooking classes are truly hands on and private (you receive full attention by TWO instructors speaking fluent English).
-all restaurants included are reviewed in the best guides as some of the best in Puglia.-during the cooking classes and following meals, you taste famous wines - winners of international awards. -you don’t have to worry about renting a car or which places to visit. You can completely relax because all places included in the tour are the best places to see in Puglia!  -you can choose the best accommodation based on your interest and budget
-you are taken care of by Cinzia and Marika, who are very warm and professional after many years of international work experience. They spend lots of time visiting the places to include (making sure you don’t spend your holiday in a bus) an selecting artisans so that you see things you wouldn’t be able to see through a tourist guidebook! ITINERARY Day One (of both THREE OR SIX Night Program) - SATURDAY  Arrival at Brindisi airport and transfer by private car to your accommodation in Lecce.
Free dinner (please ask for suggestions. Lecce has a small old town and is full of good restaurants) Day Two - SUNDAY 
You will take your first hands on cooking class. You will prepare 3 traditional and home based recipes. Following meal will be based on your creations will be accompanied by very good local wines. You will be free for the rest of the day, relaxing or doing some shopping in the Lecce old town. Free dinner (please ask for recommendations) Hands on cooking class, following meal with very good wines. Day Three - MONDAY 
You will visit the beautiful Monday market where you learn about the seasonal products and meat all the local vendors and farmers. You will also go to Lecce and visit the beautiful Baroque town. You will go around the historical center and the small pedestrian streets full of aristocratic palaces and nice shops. You will be impressed by the architectural beauty of this town also known as the "Florence of the South"! Lunch will be in a very nice local restaurant (fixed menu, house wines). You will take your first hands on cooking class. You will prepare 3 traditional and home based recipes. Following dinner will be based on your creations will be accompanied by very good local wines Market tour, visit of the old town in Lecce, lunch, hands-on cooking class, following dinner with very good wines.
Day Four - TUESDAY 
Today, we will go on a half day wine tour visiting two wineries and tasting some of the best wines from Puglia! After a nice lunch (house wine and fixed menu) in a local restaurant, you will be free for the rest of the day. Free dinner (please ask for recommendations) We say goodbye to those attending the three night program. Wine tour, wine tasting, lunch Day Five - WEDNESDAY 
Today we will go to one of the best most beautiful seaside towns in Puglia, Gallipoli. We will first visit the local seafood market and then walk in the beautiful old town by the Ionian sea. After a picnic lunch by the sea, we will come back to Lecce. You will be free for rest of the afternoon, sightseeing or shopping on your own. Free dinner (please ask for recommendations). Seafood market tour in Gallipoli, visit of the old town in Gallipoli, picnic lunch Day Six - THURSDAY 
We visit a local producer (either an olive oil producer or a mozzarella cheese maker) and we learn about his/her products. You will take an extra virgin olive oil tasting class and learn how to taste the best olive oils. After a light lunch (fixed menu and house wine) you will take your first hands on cooking class. You will prepare 3 traditional and home based recipes. Following dinner will be based on your creations will be accompanied by very good local wines. Visit to a local producer (olive oil or mozzarella cheese), extra virgin olive oil tasting class, lunch, hands-on cooking class, following dinner with very good wines DAY SEVEN - FRIDAY Private transfer to Brindisi airport in hopes that you will return to visit in the future. Buon viaggio and we hope to see you again soon! * Schedule or contents of the itineraries may change due to prevailing local conditions without advance notice GROUP SIZE A minimum of 4 participants is required to run this tour. Scheduled cookery classes are limited to a maximum of 6 participants. On request, classes and tours can be provided to larger groups, up to 25 participants. HOW TO ARRIVE Your accommodation will be located in Lecce. CLOSEST AIRPORT: Brindisi. You can rent a car at the airport or a private transfer may be organized for you. For domestic flight connections from Rome or Milan to Brindisi please check: www.alitalia.com; www.flyairone.it TRAIN: Fast trains stop in Lecce. A private transfer may be organized for you from Lecce train station. It is a 5 hour train ride from Rome to Brindisi train station. *These details are provided as additional information. Please check below to see if transfers are included in this tour. BOOKING INFORMATION
SIX NIGHT PROGRAM Double Occupancy/US$2350
Single Supplement/US$325 THREE NIGHT PROGRAM Double Occupancy/US$1525
Single Supplement/US$225 Hands on cooking class (half day)/US$300 Visit to an artisan and market (half day)/US$200 Whole day cooking and artisan visit/US$475 After availability is confirmed, a 30% per person deposit and the completed and submitted registration form will secure your reservation. Final payment is due in full 75 days before your arrival date. Available April to November upon request. SIX NIGHT PROGRAM *Three (3) hands-on cooking classes. Classes are for 6 people and in English.
*Market tour in Lecce + walk in old town
*One (1) extra virgin olive oil tasting class
*Half day wine tour and tasting
*visit of a local producer (either olive oil or cheese maker)
*visit of seafood market in Gallipoli + walk in the old town
* three lunches (house wine and fixed menu)
*pic nic lunch in Gallipoli
* three meals following the cooking classes and based on our creations
*Selection of the best local wines during the three meals
*Return pick up transfers from/to Brindisi airport and Lecce
*All transfers to: Galipoli, market, wineries, producer
*Recipe booklet
*Apron
*Taxes
THREE NIGHT PROGRAM *Two (2) hands-on cooking class. Classes are for 6 people and in English.
*Market tour in Lecce + walk in the old town
*Half day wine tour and tasting
*two lunches (house wine and fixed menu)
*two meals following the cooking classes and based on our creations
*Selection of best local wines during the two meals
*Return pick up transfers from/to Brindisi airport and Lecce
*All transfers to: market, wineries
*Recipe booklet
*Apron
*Taxes HALF DAY HANDS ON COOKING CLASS (For min 4 and max 6 people. On request groups up to 25 people) *Hands-on cooking class with 3 recipes
*Classes are private, personalized and in English
*Following meal (lunch or dinner) based on our creations
*Selection of best local wines
*Recipe booklet
*Apron
*Taxes FULL DAY HANDS ON COOKING AND ARTISANS VISIT (For min 4 and max 6 people. On request groups up to 25 people) *Private transfer
*Visit to an artisan of choice with tasting included (olive oil producer or cheese and mozzarella, market tour)
*Light lunch (fixed menu and house wine)
*Hands-on cooking class with 3 recipes
*Classes are private, personalized and in English
*Following meal based on our creations
* selection of the best local wines
*Recipe booklet
*Apron
*Taxes *Price does not include accommodation. You can choose between a nice B&B (about 60 euro per night, single room; 100 euro per night double room) or a five star hotel Airfare, extra meals, drinks, bike rentals and excursions not listed in the itineraries, visas, gratitude and personal expenses, or any other services that are not listed in the itinerary are not included
For further inquiries or to register, click here.
Click here to return to top of page. CANCELLATION POLICY Please contact us for cancellation policy information. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
CLIENT REMARKS "Cinzia’s knowledge, love and passion of the region are quickly evident. Her knowledge of the history, culture and cuisine of Puglia is astounding. Cinzia's skill set, warmth, reliability and superb attention to detail ensure that all her guests are truly treated to the friendly and welcoming hospitality that is a trademark of the region. Since my first trip to Puglia, I have been back twice!" "Cinzia is uniquely qualified to host and organize a truly unforgettable experience in Puglia. She has a wonderful combination of enthusiasm and knowledge of the area. With her impeccable English and local contacts, Cinzia first introduced me to this vibrant region of Italy in 2005. She chose activities perfectly suited to our needs. As a visitor familiar with central and northern Italy, I was extraordinarily pleased with the food, natural beauty and hospitality of Puglia. I have returned to the region since my first visit! Staying at the house run by Cinzia is a wonderful way to discover this vibrant region and its welcoming culture." "My experience was fantastic! The memories will stay with me for a lifetime. The accommodation, hospitality, people, weather, etc., could not have been better. Puglia’s food and wine are local and fresh. I highly recommend to anyone considering an authentic Southern Italian experience. The personal attention given to us and the attention to detail exceeded my expectations. I left feeling like a native Italian. I can't wait to return!" "Dear Cinzia and Marika, thank you for sharing your home, your passion, your wonderful taste and yourselves with us for the last three heavenly days. The Italian food will never be as good as in Puglia. Thank you for taking us only to places frequented by locals many of which we would never have found on our own. Being with you was just like having a personal trainer except that ...this one added calories instead of taking them off. Non fa niente, we can always diet when we get home. All tourists who hate feeling like tourists should throw away their guide books and check you out! We absolutely loved it! Baci & abbracci. "I love the natural quality of the food of Puglia! The recipes are very simple and elegant. I learned a lot about the wines of Puglia and they have become some of my favorites. Cinzia and Marika, you laugh easily and show great patience with teaching. The whole Stile Mediterraneo experience was fabulous, fun and ...engrossing! You made the day a truly wonderful experience. The time flew by. I liked most the casual and relaxed feel to the whole day. I laughed a lot! "Dear Cinzia and Marika, thanks for a truly great day! Puglia cuisine was a whole new experience for me. The market visit opened my eyes and ...nose to a really interesting world. You were both very friendly, open and wonderful: you made it all the more interesting." "The whole experience with you was very authentic and very very interesting. I learned so much! I loved the nice and delicious food and the way you introduced me to the Italian Style. I liked everything. Thank you very much and I hope to see you again soon." Click here to return to top of page. MAP* This exciting region is depicted below. You can also access Google MapsTM by clicking HERE. 
*In some cases mapping may give clients a general sense of location due to changes in venue. Please inquire about specific location. Click here to return to top of page. |
Home 
Authentic Mediterranean Cooking in Puglia
