This is an exclusive, private culinary tour for 2 to 4 couples or as a “ladies only” group (maximum 8 people). Throughout this incredible 14 day tour of Rome and Puglia, you will travel 1,500 miles through the “boot of Sicily”. During the journey, you’ll stay one week in a private ocean side Villa, while the remaining nights will be at the finest 4 and 5 star hotels. You’ll visit artisan food producers, wine & dine at unique restaurants, take a boat excursion and have private guided tours in several cities. Your native guide and chef, Gioacchino Passalaqua, will be cooking at the villa and you will have the opportunity to cook alongside him—or—just enjoy the food he prepares. Custom luggage service will be provided throughout the trip, so you’ll never have to handle your bags. We’ll take care of everything so you can enjoy this experience of a lifetime!
Puglia is dotted with beautiful small towns in shades of white and gold, and full of historical ruins, cathedrals, baroque cities, harbors, endless coastlines and home to some of the best food producers in Italy. The remote heel of Italy‘s boot is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country and provides around 40% of the country’s extra virgin olive oil. Durum wheat grows in abundance and is used for making pasta and bread. The bread in Puglia is cooked in traditional wood burning ovens and comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Puglia has many delicious local cheeses and fish plays a large part in the cuisine.
This tour must be booked a minimum of 6 months in advance. Each meal will be 3/4 courses, with wine pairings. Due to the exclusivity of this tour, a personalized email must be sent to cindy@palmerstours.com. Please include any questions you may have with the estimated number of travelers as pricing is dependent on size.
15 DAYS: ROME > PUGLIA
06/05/18 – 06/19/18
*8 person maximum
Pricing upon request
PRIVATE VILLA INCLUDES:
– Pool with Barbecue
– Private parking
– Sea view with private beach access
PRODUCERS:
– Cheese & E.V.O.O producer
– Extra virgin olive oil producer
– Wine producer
ACTIVITIES:
– Guided tours in Rome, Matera, Lecce, Otranto, Alberobello
– 1 boat excursion
MEALS INCLUDED (16 total):
– 9 restaurants meals, representative of the region
– 3 dinners at Villa, including aperitivo by the pool at sunset
– 3 lunches with artisanal producers
– 1 lunch on board during boat excursion
ROME AIRPORT > PERUGIA
Tuesday, June 5th
Upon arrival to Rome Airport, a private van will transfer you from the Rome Airport to the Hotel Raphael in Rome. You will have free time in Rome to explore the city and all the history is has to offer. We will gather together later this evening for cocktails and then enjoy dinner together at Antico Arco in Piazzale Aurelio. Hotel accommodations for this evening will be at the gorgeous Hotel Raphael centered in Rome.
*Please send flight information to cindy@palmerstours.com so we can arrange transportation to/from airport for you. Due to time difference, all flights should be made 1 day prior to itinerary start date.
ROME
Wednesday, June 6th
After breakfast, we will head to the famous Campo De’ Fiori Market for a visit. Lunch today will be on your own in Rome, so be sure to speak with Gioacchino for suggestions. After lunch, we’ll have a guided tour of Rome making stops at the Spanish steps, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and more. Tonight’s dinner will be street food from one of the many delicious spots in Rome—on us!
ROME > MATERA
Thursday, June 7th
Pack your bags….we’re off to Matera! We have a 5 hour drive ahead of us so be sure to bring your favorite book or just enjoy the incredible scenery along the way. Upon arrival to Hotel Palazzo degli Abati, you’ll have time to freshen up before we head out on our guided tour of the town. Matera’s ancient neighborhoods, known as Sassi, are a series of grottoes carved out of limestone, teetering on the edge of a ravine. It’s one of the most unique and spectacular places you can visit in Italy…or anywhere in the world! We’ll enjoy a group dinner tonight at Regia Corte.
MATERA > POMARICO > MATERA
Friday, June 8th
Off we go to Pomarico (about a 40 minute drive). We’ll be visiting a well-respected Cheese and Extra Virgin Olive Oil producer, Azienda Agricola Cavalli (one of our favorite Olive Oils at Palmer’s Market!). We’ll be helping make cheese and later enjoy a delicious tasting lunch. The rest of the day is yours to explore and get dinner on your own.
MATERA > MARINA DI NOVAGLIE/GIULIANO DI LECCE
Saturday, June 9th
This morning, after breakfast, we will head to our private villa in Marina di Novaglie. Crystal clear waters and breathtaking views of the Adriatic Ocean await you. Today you’ll have the afternoon to yourself…settle in at the villa, take a swim in your private pool or visit the local market to stock your pantry. Tonight we will enjoy dinner together at Trattoria Fùlana.
MARINA DI NOVAGLIE/PESCOLUSE
Sunday, June 10th
Coffee with a view doesn’t get better than this! After breakfast, we will head to the crystal clear waves of Pescoluse Beach. It’s attractive sand dunes create natural barrier between the fine white sandy beach and the road, which runs parallel to the coast. Enjoy lunch on your own and this afternoon we will head back to the villa. Tonight, Gioacchino will be preparing dinner. Feel free to join in or just enjoy the delicious meal!
MARINA DI NOVAGLIE > MIGGIANO > GALLIPOLI
Monday, June 11th
Today, we’ll travel to city of Miggiano where we will visit Società Agricola Merico, an Extra Virgin Olive Oil producer. We will stroll through their historic olive groves and enjoy a tasting lunch in their restaurant.
Tonight, we’ll head to the town of Gallipoli which is divided into 2 areas: the modern and the old town. The old town is located on a limestone island, linked to the mainland by a bridge built in the 16th century. You will have free time to explore Gallipoli before we have a group dinner tonight at Trattoria Portolano. Traditional vaulted stone ceilings tower over the tables in Portolano’s intimate interior environment steeped in the atmosphere of the sea.
MARINA DI NOVAGLIE/LECCE
Tuesday, June 12th
After breakfast at the villa, we will head to the city of Lecce, where we will have a private guided tour. Lecce, the “Florence of the South,” dazzles with elaborately carved facades and interiors that erupt with symphonies of angels, cherubs, saints, saviors and Madonnas. A capital of southern Italian cooking, the city brims with rustic restaurants serving the hearty peasant cuisine and robust red wines of the Puglia region. This afternoon you will have free time at the villa or go into town shopping. Tonight you will enjoy dinner at the villa.
MARINA DI NOVAGLIE> DEPESSA DI TRICASE/TRICASE PORTO
Wednesday, June 13th
After breakfast at the villa, we’ll be visiting a well-known wine producer, Castel di Salve. We’ll have a tasting lunch at the winery before heading back to the villa. Upon arrival back to the villa, you will have free time to rest and enjoy the pool. Enjoy some free time before we prepare for dinner tonight at Osteria degli Spiriti. This Michelin rated restaurant is sure to impress with its cuisine, all accompanied by the best wines and a traditional Italian ambiance.
MARINA DI NOVAGLIE/LEUCA
Thursday, June 14th
After breakfast, we’ll head to Leuca where we’ll take a private boat ride to visit the marine grottoes. While on the boat, we’ll enjoy a traditional lunch.
This afternoon and evening you will have to yourself to enjoy the villa.
MARINA DI NOVAGLIE> OTRANTO/SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA
Friday, June 15th
After breakfast, we’ll head to the historic port town of Otranto, where we will have a guided tour and enjoy lunch on your own. This afternoon we will head to the beach at Santa Maria di Leuca which sits on the southernmost tip of the Salento peninsula where the waters of the Adriatic Sea mingle and merge with those of the Ionian.
Tonight we will dine together at Restaurant Lo Scalo in Marina di Novaglie. Reviews include “one of the most gorgeous restaurants on the sea we’ve eaten at!”
MARINA DI NOVAGLIE > OSTUNI > POLIGNANO A MARE
Saturday, June 16th
After enjoying our last breakfast at the villa, we’ll gather all of our luggage and check out. A private van transfer will take us from Otranto to the awe-inspiring city of Ostuni. This town is full of little white villas and buildings and is commonly referred to a the “White Town.” Be sure to explore the Ostuni Cathedral during your free time this afternoon.
Lunch today is at the Osteria del Tempo Perso. The interior cave-like setting of this restaurant sits on a grotto overlooking the crystal clear waters which is truly a view of a lifetime! After, we’ll head to Polignano a Mare where we’ll check into the Hotel Borgoblanco, which is set on cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea and surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. You will have free time for the rest of the day to shop, explore and to enjoy dinner on your own in Polignano a Mare.
POLIGNANO A MARE > ALBEROBELLO
Sunday, June 17th
Enjoy breakfast this morning at the hotel before we depart for Alberobello. We’ll partake in a guided tour of this region making a visit to the unique ‘trulli’ buildings, which are now considered a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll have free time to shop, explore and enjoy lunch on your own.
Tonight, we will have a group dinner at the Locanda dell’Abbazia, a charming restaurant set in the hamlet of San Vito making the view just as spectacular as the food!
POLIGNANO A MARE > ROME
Monday, June 18th
Enjoy breakfast this morning at your hotel before luggage collection and check out. A private van transfer from your hotel back to Rome (5 hour drive). Upon arrival to Rome we will check in at Hotel Raphael in and you will have your last evening in Rome to enjoy yourself.
ROME
Tuesday, June 19th
After breakfast at the hotel, a private van will transfer you to Rome Airport. Ciao for now!
Guide and co-owner of aTTavola, Gioacchino Passalacqua, is an artisanal Italian food exporter, gastronome and native Sicilian who divides his time between Sicily, Italy and New York. As a native Mediterranean, Gioacchino has developed relationships with food producers, restaurateurs, olive oil companies, chocolatiers, vintners and confectioners. He has traveled the world in his business as an importer/exporter, taking part in food shows from Paris and San Francisco to Chicago and New York City.
Gioacchino has a keen sense of quality foods and wines which he passionately shares through his unique tours, tastings, and products. You’ll be pleased to know, every one of our guests has rated him a 5 star tour guide!
