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Secrets of Puglia: a Journey into Charming villages, Ancient Traditions and Authentic Flavors

Live like a local
Discover the charming villages and amazing landscapes
Immerse yourself among local life, culture and tradition of Puglia
Meet local farmers, artisans and genuine people
Learn ancient production methods from local farmers
Make “orecchiette”, a typical fresh pasta
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Fabrizio Lucci

Founder & Tour Guide of Italia Sweet Italia

Fabrizio Lucci

Founder & Tour Guide of Italia Sweet Italia 

Price: € 2,345

Fully escorted small groups tour up to 12 travelers

27 October - 2 November 2024

22 - 28 June 2025

14 - 20 September 2025

Why a small group of travelers and a local tour operator

Here’s why we believe that traveling with a small group of people and a local tour operator as we are can really make the difference:

We love our region – Attention to details – Local knowledge and experience – Support sustainable and responsible travel - Live like a local – Feel part of a big family – Make new friends – Explore on your own – Everybody feels at home – Small groups tour up to 12 travelers. Click here to learn more!

Is your heart calling for a journey that goes beyond the ordinary?

What if you could step into a postcard and experience the Italy of your dreams? A land where sun-drenched beaches meet dramatic cliffs, where history whispers from every corner, and where the flavors of the Mediterranean dance on your tongue.

Our 7-day immersive tour through Puglia and Matera is your passport to this hidden world. Led by Katia, a local expert with a passion for sharing her heritage, you’ll uncover the stories, flavors, and landscapes that make this corner of Italy truly extraordinary.

Are you ready to unlock the secrets of this enchanting land?

Secure your place on this extraordinary adventure today!

Who is this tour suitable for?

Like-minded travelers - Everybody that travelled enough to know that touristy vacations are just not them - Travelers that appreciate la dolce vita and want to learn something new - Solo travelers - Couples - Group of friends - Families

HIGHLIGHTS

ITINERARY

Day 1 | Sunday | Bari airport pick-up, Conversano and welcome to Puglia dinner (dinner)

PM

  • Bari airport/train station pick up (at 1:00-1:30 pm or at 4:00-4:30 pm) and  transfer to Conversano (click on the brochure, on page 7 to read all the details)
  • Check in at Hotel Corte Altavilla in the historical downtown (possibility to have a SPA experience in their wellness center to book in advance)
  • After relax, get to know your local guide Katia and learn more about this 7-day Italian cultural vacation
  • Welcome to Puglia group dinner in a traditional restaurant in the heart of Conversano
Day 2 | Monday | Cooking class in a masseria, exploring Monopoli (breakfast, cooking lesson, lunch)

AM

  • After breakfast we’ll have an orientation tour of Conversano with its medieval Castle and Romanesque cathedral
  • Next we’ll move to an ancient masseria (typical Apulian farmhouse) in Monopoli and cooking class with traditional recipes such as orecchiette pasta, melanzane alla parmigiana (eggplant  parmigiana) and Almond sweets (a typical Apulian dessert)

PM

  • Lunch will consist of the scrumptious dishes that have been prepared in the morning
  • Next we’ll have a guided tour of Monopoli, an enchanting seaside town with a lot of history, surprising corners and fascinating alleys
  • Dinner at your leisure in one of the many restaurants of Conversano

After the lunch in the Masseria, based on our many years of experience, we know that nobody is looking for a rich dinner, so our travelers usually enjoy spending time like a local trying a simple aperitif, a gelato or a pizza. Obviously Katia will suggest to you her favorite places

Day 3 | Tuesday | Olive oil tasting, explore Locorotondo and the UNESCO site Trulli of Alberobello (breakfast, extra-virgin olive tasting, lunch)

AM

  • After breakfast, we’ll drive south to visit an ancient olive oil mill where we’ll have an extra virgin olive oil tasting
  • Next we’ll explore the charming village of Locorotondo, whose name derives from the Latin Locus Rotundus and literally means “round place” recalling the circular shape, which is repeated on several rings between suggestive alleys and streets
  • Next we’ll move to the UNESCO site of Alberobello to enjoy a traditional lunch in this unique town
  •  

PM

  • Next we’ll have a guided tour and walk among the trulli
  • Dinner at your leisure in one of the many restaurants of Conversano
Day 4 | Wednesday | Discover amazing Lecce with traditional lunch and Ostuni, the white town (breakfast, lunch)

AM

  • After breakfast, we’ll drive to spectacula Lecce, known as the Florence of Southern Italy
  • We’ll have a guided tour of the town
  • Traditional lunch in the heart of Lecce

PM

  • After lunch we’ll drive to amazing Ostuni
  • We’ll have a guided tour of the town
  • Dinner at your leisure in one of the many restaurants in Conversano
Day 5 | Thursday | Exploring Bari, traditional lunch and guided tour of Polignano a mare (breakfast, lunch)

AM

  • After breakfast we’ll drive to Bari, the capital city of Puglia. We’ll have a guided tour to discover San Nicola’s church and the city center called Bari Vecchia (Old Bari) where you can meet local ladies making fresh pasta in the middle of enchanting streets

PM

  • We’ll drive to Polignano a mare to enjoy a traditional lunch and to discover its wonderful sea views and charming alleys 

After the lunch in Polignano, based on our many years of experience, we know that nobody is looking for a rich dinner, so our travelers usually enjoy spending time like a local trying a simple aperitif, a gelato or a pizza. Obviously Katia will suggest to you her favorite places

Day 6 | Friday | Matera and its UNESCO site, focaccia tasting, and farewell dinner (breakfast, focaccia tasting, light lunch, dinner)

AM

  • After breakfast, we’ll drive to spectacular Matera in the Basilicata Region 
  • Next we’ll have a guided tour of the Unesco site of  “the Sassi” (cave houses and rocky churches where time seems to stop)
  • After some free time to explore Matera by yourself or to relax, we’ll have a Focaccia and bread tasting with a light lunch in a traditional bakery in Matera

PM

  • Next we’ll come back to your Hotel in Conversano
  • You will have more free time to relax and pack or do last minute shopping, before we enjoy a farewell dinner at Hotel Corte Altavilla
Day 7 | Saturday | Departure and goodbye (breakfast)

AM

  • After breakfast departure (normally at 09:00) for Bari airport or your next destination (45 minutes driving from Hotel to Bari airport and 40 minutes to Bari train station)

Want to read it later?

Download this tour's PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

NOTE ABOUT YOUR ITINERARY

Your Itinerary is a guide to your activities during the week. However, sometimes we modify the final itinerary to take advantage of the season and the weather. Our goal is to ensure that everyone has a fabulous time, and that sometimes means tweaking the schedule even after your arrival. Your guide will provide suggestions during the week, and the group will decide if any modifications are desired. Be assured that only enhanced experiences are ever considered.

PRICE

27 October-2 November 2024: € 2,345.00*

22-28 June 2025: € 2,345.00*

14-20 September 2025: € 2,345.00*

*Prices are per person and land only, with accommodation in a twin/double room with ensuite bathroom. Airfare and travel insurance are not included. Single occupancy supplement (double room for single use): + € 180.

Click here for exchange rate

During this tour you will stay at the centrally located  4* Hotel Corte Altavilla in Conversano. Thi hotel provides a high standard of service, are meticulously clean and equipped with modern conveniences, air conditioning, elevator, free wi-fi and they are at walking distance to the main attractions and squares of their respective towns. You have the opportunity to enjoy a SPA experience in their wellness center to be booked in advance.

WHY US?

WE ARE PROUD TO BE LOCAL

  • Only 100% authentic experiences
  • Deep connections with the people who live here
  • We have a passion for our culture and our communities

ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME TRIP

  • We know how to let you feel that at home
  • We keep our groups small to take care of all the details
  • Discover our guest reviews on Tripadvisor

SUSTAINABILITY AND PASSION

  • We promote the local culture as a sign of responsible travel
  • We are focused on preserving our way of life
  • We involve small, family-run and passion-driven businesses

FAQ

Italia Sweet Italia (ISI) is a small incoming tour operator specialized in organizing vacations around Abruzzo Italy, our home. ISI is a fully licensed company covered by insurance policy no. 4378340 by Europe Assistance Italia S.p.A. and authorised by the local government to create and sell tour packages from 2011. 

Our mission is to show people from all over the world the beauty of Abruzzo and other Italian regions so they can experience our homeland, traditions, arts and folklore in a unique way, also demonstrating the benefits of sustainable tourism to everyone. In order to help you discover everything Abruzzo and other Italian regions have to offer, we organize small groups (up to 12 people) escorted tours including cultural, culinary, active, pottery, Italian language and ancestry experiences. We are happy to create a tailored vacation around your wishes. Our tours provide you with the rare opportunity to be invited into homes and farms, as well as into the daily lives of locals.

ABRUZZO TOURS

Yes, Fabrizio will be happy to guide you to let you discover his Abruzzo although there may always be some unforeseen events that may make it necessary to replace Fabrizio with another experienced and trusted Abruzzese guide who has worked with Fabrizio for many years.

ABRUZZO AND PUGLIA TOUR

Yes, Fabrizio will be happy to guide you for the first 5 days of the tour to let you discover his Abruzzo although there may always be some unforeseen event that may make it necessary to replace Fabrizio with another experienced and trusted Abruzzese guide who has worked with Fabrizio for many years. In Puglia there will be Katia, an enthusiastic local guide who share our philosophy and we prefer to have people that love and know everything (or almost) about their region just like Fabrizio does for Abruzzo. It’s best to have the knowledge of a local to appreciate all that is local. Rest assured that we designed the tour together and Fabrizio has personally met the local suppliers to make sure they share Italia Sweet Italia’s philosophy and style to create new and unique trips to support small local businesses and sustainable tourism.

TOURS IN OTHER ITALIAN REGIONS

No, Fabrizio won’t personally lead these tours. We prefer to entrust our trips to enthusiastic local guides who share our philosophy. While it would be wonderful to have Fabrizio accompany the tour, we believe in giving space to individuals from the area who have a deep love and knowledge of the region. Nonetheless, Fabrizio has worked closely with local suppliers to ensure they align with Italia Sweet Italia’s values and style. This collaboration allows us to create new and unique trips while supporting small local businesses and sustainable tourism.

Here are some general information, please read in the final part of the tour brochure that you can download by clicking on the Download free brochure button (button you will find on the page you are reading) all the details about the pick up time, drop off, the duration of the transfer to and from the hotel and the meeting point which is very simple.

Pick up

For all the small group tours listed in our calendar, the pick up is planned at 12:30 pm on day 1 at Rome Fiumicino airport  for tours in Abruzzo and Le Marche, at 2:30 pm at Bologna and Palermo airports for tours in Emilia Romagna and Sicily, at 1:00-1:30 pm or at 4:00-4:30 pm at Bari airport or Train station for the 7-day Puglia tour (see details in the brochures).

Drop-off

For the drop-off we usually leave the hotel at 9:00 am after breakfast.

Private pick-up and drop-off for group tours

Of course, we are always happy to support you to organize a private pick up/drop off only for you to let you join our small group tours listed in our calendar

Make sure to arrive at the meeting point on time but don’t get stressed

Please note that all guests joining our tours are responsible for ensuring they make it to the meeting point by the indicated time. Those who are unable to be on time will not be guaranteed a transfer from the airport and will have to seek other arrangements to participate in the remainder of the tour. Anyway, don’t worry, in most cases, there are public buses or trains that connect the airport with our locations. 

Private pick-up and drop-off for group tours

Of course, we are always happy to support you to organize a private pick up/drop off only for you to let you join our small group tours listed in our calendar which needs to be quoted as an extra cost.

Connecting to or from another part of Italy

If you are connecting to or from another part of Italy we are happy to assist you in planning your pre and post trip connections. If your planned arrival or departure does not coincide with the specified meeting time we can assist you in booking a private transfer at an additional cost or some extra nights inItaly. 

Once a complete booking is made you may also contact us directly for further details and assistance. We are always here to help and have the insider knowledge and on the ground support to ensure you find the best option available to arrive or depart from your tour.

For arriving in Italy (Rome or other airports) from abroad, we recommend allowing an average of 1.5 to 3 hours before our meeting.

This timeframe accounts for the time needed for the customs clearance process, baggage retrieval, and reaching our meeting point.

Our travelers typically take between 40 minutes and 1 hour to complete these procedures.

Arriving early will allow you to manage any delays and complete the checks without rushing.

As for returning from Italy ((Rome or other airports) to your Country, we suggest arriving at the airport at least 2 or 3 hours before the scheduled departure time of your international flight.

This additional time is necessary for check-in, security screening, and customs checks for international flights.

Please note that these times are indicative and may vary depending on passenger flow and the efficiency of checks at the time of travel.

Therefore, it’s advisable to plan with some extra time to avoid stressful situations.

To book your flights and check available schedules, we recommend using the website www.skyscanner.com.

This tool allows you to compare different flight options and find the best solution for your travel needs.

  • Our tours are suitable for everybody that travelled enough to know that touristy vacations are just not them and long for more authentic travel, ways to truly experience the culture and people they’re visiting
  • Our travellers appreciate la dolce vita and the pleasures of exquisite food, wine, and fellowship with others who share their passions
  • Our guests are not afraid to take bold steps…to learn something new…to explore something completely out of the ordinary
  • The minimum age for pre-arranged tours is 14 (14-18 accompanied by an adult) with no upper age limit. For tailor-made and private tours any age is fine
  • Our tours are perfect for solo travellers (we don’t charge single room supplements for our 7-day tours in Abruzzo), couples, groups of friends and even families are welcomed
  • Our guests don’t need to have any experience in cooking or painting or do pottery or speaking Italian to join our tours. Our experienced course tutors will soon discover your level of knowledge and will adapt their approach accordingly

All classes are taught in both Italian and English so you’ll have the opportunity to learn and practice a little bit of Italian

The booking process with Italia Sweet Italia is very simple. All you have to do is follow the 2 easy steps. At any stage you are welcome to contact us and we will help you with any doubts or problems:

  1. To Pay a deposit of 25% per person by:
    • Credit card using the book now button on the tour page
    • Bank Transfer to Italia Sweet Italia Holidays S.R.L. Unipersonale

Account number: 1230542024 IBAN: IT41Y0526277910CC1230542024 SWIFT: BPPUIT33

Banca Popolare Pugliese – Società cooperative per azioni Via XXIV Maggio, 25 66054 Vasto (CH) – Italy. Motivation of the payment: Deposit for Tour… to add name of the tour, month and year). Please inform your bank to make it directly in €.

  1. You pay the 75% balance within 45 days before arrival

You can pay the balance by Bank Transfer or Credit card (you will receive an automatic email from our booking platform).

Tours booked less than 45 days before their start date must be paid in full

Welcome to Italia Sweet Italia, where each day blends cultural immersion, scenic beauty, and culinary delights. Arriving at Rome Fiumicino airport, our team whisks you away to Sulmona or Vasto amidst the stunning Abruzzo landscape. After settling in, explore at your leisure before a warm welcome briefing with our guide. Indulge in authentic Italian cuisine at local eateries, with flexibility to accommodate preferences. From optional activities to leisurely strolls, every moment promises an unforgettable Italian adventure. Read more 

PHOTOS

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REVIEWS

Price: € 2,345

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Cultural, Culinary and Active Tours in Italy - Enquiry

To get more info and for booking enquiries, select your preferred starting date, add your personal data and needs and I’ll get back to you with more information accordingly as soon as I can! Thanks, Fabrizio

Cultural, Culinary and Active Tours in Italy - Travel Privately

To get more info and for booking enquiries, select your preferred starting date, add your personal data and needs and I’ll get back to you with more information accordingly as soon as I can! Thanks, Fabrizio, Founder and Tour guide

  • This tour can be booked privately from a minimum of 6 travellers
  • There may be an additional fee when booking this tour privately

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