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  (Options: Day Cooking Classes, Italian Lessons, Custom Tours)
Puglia, Italy - 3 or 5 nights
Available year round
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, you will stay in a beautiful historical palace, recently restored to be an elegant bed and breakfast. It is located in a small village off the tourist tracks and just outside Lecce (the baroque capital of Puglia). The palace is walking distance from the historical centre of this little village where artisans still produce their products in a traditional way. The underground floor of the palace was used in the past as an oil mill. This village gives his name to a Denomination of Origin wine area and his famous for its excellent extra virgin olive oil as well. The area is surrounded by a beautiful countryside with millenary olive trees and vineyards. The sea is 3 miles away. The palace has two double bedrooms so it get booked quite easily.
 As an alternative, you may stay in a beautiful 4 star hotel in the countryside just 5 min drive from the cooking school. The hotel has a beautiful swimming pool and standard, superior and suite bedrooms (there will be a small extra for the 4 star hotel). (Please ask for 5 star hotels).
Cinzia and Marika provide excellent city bikes and organize on request private bike or walking tours to explore the countryside and to visit the many local artisans and wine makers. They also give private Italian lessons - please inquire. 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!  -everything is included in the itinerary: first class accommodation, all breakfasts, all lunches, all dinners, all transfers, a private tour escort, all wines.
-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 and Five Night Program)  Arrival at Brindisi airport and transfer by private car to your accommodation.
Welcome dinner which includes a selection of the best local wines. Welcome drinks, dinner with wines Day Two  After a delicious breakfast, you will visit an olive oil press where you meet the producer and learn about the olive oil production method. You will take an extra virgin olive oil tasting class and learn how to taste and appreciate olive oils.
After a light lunch, you will take your first hands on cooking class. You will prepare 3 traditional and home based recipes. Dinner will be based on your creations will be accompanied by very goo local wines.
Breakfast, olive oil press, extra virgin olive oil tasting class, lunch, hands on cooking class, dinner with famous wines.
Day Three 
After a delicious breakfast, you will visit a beautiful 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"! You will see how artisans make papier machè arts works. Lunch will be in a very good local restaurant (house wines). You will be free in the afternoon with a chance to visit all the monuments in Lecce or to do some shopping. On request we provide private gourmet or fashion shopping tours (extra) Dinner in a nice local restaurant. Breakfast, market tour, visit of the historical center, lunch and dinner in a restaurant (house wines).
Day Four  Departure for those attending the 3 night culinary tour.
After a delicious breakfast, we will leave for a half day wine tour. Today you will taste some of the best wines from Puglia! After a light lunch, you will take your second hands on cooking class. You will prepare other 3 traditional and home based recipes. Dinner will be based on your creations and you will have a chance to taste some of the best local wines. Breakfast, wine tour and tasting, light lunch, hands on cooking class, dinner with famous wines. Day Five  After a delicious breakfast, you will be free for sightseeing or shopping on your own in the morning. There will be an optional (and extra) visit to Gallipoli, famous seaside village with white sandy beaches and a beautiful historical center.
In the afternoon, you will take your third hands on cooking class. You will prepare other 3 traditional and home based recipes. Dinner will be based on your creations and you will have a chance to taste some of the best local wines. Breakfast, hand on cooking class, dinner with famous wines. Day Six  After breakfast 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 2 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 The Palace House is located in a small village and is a 10 minute drive from 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. BOOKING INFORMATION
FIVE NIGHT PROGRAM AT B & B PALACE Double Occupancy/US$2255
Single Supplement/US$300 FIVE NIGHT PROGRAM AT 4 STAR HOTEL Standard Room Double Occupancy/US$2650
Single Supplement/US$250 Superior Room Double Occupancy/US$2725
Single Room Supplement/US$250 Suite Room Double Occupancy/US$2800
Single Room Supplement/US$250 THREE NIGHT PROGRAM AT B & B PALACE Double Occupancy/US$1250
Single Supplement/US$200 THREE NIGHT PROGRAM AT 4 STAR HOTEL Standard Room Double Occupancy/US$1525
Single Supplement/US$150 Superior Room Double Occupancy/US$1575
Single Room Supplement/US$150 Suite Room Double Occupancy/US$1625
Single Room Supplement/US$150 Hands on cooking class (half day)/US$280 Visit to an artisan and market (half day)/US$200 Whole day cooking and artisan visit/US$425 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 60 days before your arrival date. FIVE NIGHT PROGRAM AT B & B PALACE *Five (5) nights' accommodation at B&B Palace with all breakfasts
*Three (3) hands-on cooking classes with meals included. Classes are for 6 people and in English or French.
*Market tour
*Visit of the historical center
*One (1) extra virgin olive oil tasting class
*One (1) wine tour and tasting
*Welcome dinner, three lunches and four dinners (selection of the best local wines)
*Three (3) meals in select restaurants (house wine included)
*Private transfers from/to Brindisi airport
*Three (3) half day escorted excursions including olive oil, market tour, winery tour and private transfers
*Recipe booklet
*Apron
*Taxes FIVE NIGHT PROGRAM AT 4 STAR HOTEL *Five (5) nights' accommodation at the four star hotel with all breakfasts
*Three (3) hands-on cooking classes with meals included. Classes are for 6 people and in English or French.
*Market tour
*Visit of the historical center
*One (1) extra virgin olive oil tasting class
*One (1) wine tour and tasting
*Welcome dinner, three lunches and four dinners (selection of the best local wines)
*Three (3) meals in select restaurants (house wine included)
*Private transfers from/to Brindisi airport
*Transfers from the hotel to the cooking school to attend listed classes
*Three (3) half day escorted excursions including olive oil, market tour, winery tour and private transfers
*Recipe booklet
*Apron
*Taxes
THREE NIGHT PROGRAM AT B & B PALACE *Three (3) night's accommodation with all breakfasts
*One (1) hands-on cooking class with meal included. Classes are for 6 people and in English or French.
*Market tour
*Visit of the historical center
*One (1) extra virgin olive oil tasting class
*Welcome dinner, two lunches and two dinners (selection of the best local wines)
*Three (3) meals in select restaurants (house wine included)
*Private transfers from/to Brindisi airport
*Two (2) half day escorted excursions including olive oil, market tour, and private transfers
*Recipe booklet
*Apron
*Taxes HALF DAY HANDS ON COOKING CLASS (For min 2 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 or French
*Served lunch (or dinner) to follow which includes a selection of the best local wines
*Recipe booklet
*Apron
*Taxes FULL DAY HANDS ON COOKING AND ARTISANS VISIT (For min 2 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, cheese and mozzarella, pasta, bread, chocolate, ice cream, ceramics, fashion shopping)
*Visit to a food or fish market
*Light lunch at home with selection of best local wines included
*Hands-on cooking class with 3 recipes
*Classes are private, personalized and in English or French
*Served lunch (or dinner) to follow which includes a selection of the best local wines
*Recipe booklet
*Apron
*Taxes 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. |
Authentic Home Cooking in Puglia
