La Dolce Vita in Puglia!

Available Packages

Wednesday
27/05/2026

Wednesday
03/06/2026

£1,499

Trip Overview

If you’re yearning for a trip that is filled to the brim with fantastic food, wonderful wine and amazing and unique accommodation then come and join Travel Buddies on this great adventure. Puglia may well be famous for being the boots’ heel of Southern Italy but what most people don’t realise is that it is also the culinary capital of the country and is the primary producer of Europe’s pasta and olive oil. What better place to experience La Dolce Vita?

Not only will we have plenty of time to enjoy the superb culinary delights of Puglia in its famous restaurants and eateries but we will also venture through ancient olive groves, and amble along the streets of Bari where the women will show us how the region’s special pasta is made. We will also take part in a rustic cookery session where we get to try our hand at whipping up a proper Italian feast for dinner using local ingredients from Puglia.

The accommodation choices in Puglia ooze charm and authenticity and provide the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding area including Bari, Matera and the Itria Valley. We’ll start by staying in one of the beautifully renovated ancient caves that epitomise the UNESCO town of Matera then spend an evening in our own private conical stone Trullo in the heart of Puglia’s rolling Itria Valley. All this combined with beautiful whitewashed towns of Bari and Locorotondo and the medieval town of Lecce, the perfect Italian trip!

Looking forward to doing what the Italians do best…… All of the good things in life!

Highlights

Visit Matera, a Unesco World Heritage site, the “white city” of Ostuni and the historic “city of bread” Altamura.
Walking tour of the sun-kissed city of Lecce
Southern Italy cookery class.
Bakery tour and tasting.
Wine tour and tasting.
Olive oil tour and tasting.
Bike tour of Bari.
Pasta making class.
Itria valley day trip with visit to Locorotondo

Day 01 :

Wednesday 27th May

Meet the group at the airport and board our flight to Puglia

Arrive in Bari. Transfer to the extraordinary hillside town of Matera. Check in to our cave accommodation in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sassi.

Throughout the tour we will be staying in twin rooms but there is an option to have a room to yourself for the trip. If you wish to have a room to yourself for the 7 nights the supplement will be £355. This supplement will be payable at the same time as the balance.

Day 02 :

Thursday 28th May

After breakfast we will head off to explore Matera and the rock church with our guide then off to a local restaurant to take part in a cookery masterclass and learn to prepare rustic Italian dishes. After a little chill time we head back to the restaurant to feast upon our culinary creations over a traditional Italian dinner.

Day 03 :

Friday 29th May

After breakfast we head off to Altamura and a visit to legendary DOP bakery for some bread making and focaccia tasting.

Next we visit Locorotondo, one of the Itria Valley’s most beautiful whitewashed towns for wine tasting and tour at a local vineyard.

Travel to Alberobello, land of Trulli. Evening in your very own trullo, typical of this region in Southern Italy.

Day 04 :

Saturday 30th May

Today we have the morning to explore the UNESCO trulli capital of Alberobello followed by an Olive oil tasting and tour through ancient olive groves at an organic olive farm near Ostuni, some of the trees are thousand of years old and you can even buy a bottle of olive oil to bring home from this beautiful family run olive farm that has been in the family for several generations.

Transfer back to Bari. Evening to explore the charming old town and tuck in to some Puglian delicacies.

Day 05 :

Sunday 31st May

Bari Bike Tour and Pasta Making Experience. Cycle round Bari with a local guide then learn the art of making orecchiette pasta with the famous Italian mammas.

Transfer to Lecce and check in to our beautiful 4* accommodation Le Club Boutique hotel where we will be spending 3 nights.

Day 06 :

Monday 1st June

This morning we get to know Lecce on a guided walking tour and have the rest of the day to explore locally.

Day 07 :

Tuesday 2nd June

What will you choose to do today?

There is so much for you to see and do in beautiful Lecce or will you be ready to throw down a towel and soak up the sun’s rays on a beautiful beach? Maybe Polignano or Monopoli.

We can chat and plan our days together if you choose or if you’re ready for some “me” time, that’s ok too.

Day 08 :

Wednesday 3rd June

After breakfast and checking out this morning, we have plenty of time to fill before our private transfer returns us to Bari airport for our flight home.

Again, we can chat about how we will spend our last remaining hours in this beautiful city, maybe soaking in the city’s charm one last time. Perhaps spending some time in Villa Comunale, Lecce’s public garden, enjoying the greenery and tranquillity or perhaps, you won’t be able to resist one last shopping spree to take a piece of Lecce home with you. Choices… I am sure, we will have created some wonderful memories and undoubtedly be returning slightly rounder than when we arrived but full of happy memories.

FAQs

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What flights do you recommend?

You need to book your own flights and they are with Ryanair. Please wait until we give you the go ahead to book the flights, we really hope this will be in the next 24 hours so do keep an eye on your direct messages on Meet Up.

Below is the flight that Moira will be going on.

Flights are currently £161 including 23kg checked luggage.

If you would prefer to travel from an alternative UK airport or book a different flight, that is absolutely fine. Please let us know when you book. You will need to arrange your own hotel transfers.

27/05/26 Depart London Stanstead 15.10 Arrive Bari 18.55

Flight Number FR1905

03/06/25 Depart Bari 19.20 Arrive London Stansted 21.15

Flight Number FR1906

Who is this tour suitable for?

This tour is suitable for Travel Buddies with medium fitness & normal mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, often on foot, and includes some climbing of stairs, and getting on and off coaches. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

By paying the deposit for this trip you are confirming that you are physically able to participate in all aspects of this trip unassisted.

Do I need travel insurance?

Travel Insurance is a mandatory requirement for travelling with Travel Buddies. Please ensure you are fully insured for all aspects of your trip. We would advise you to take out your travel insurance as soon as you have paid your deposit.

How do you protect Travel Buddies money?

To learn more on how we protect your money, please visit:https://www.protectedtrustservices.com/consumer-protection/