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 Join us on this breathtaking lesbian journey through Puglia, Italy, staying in the Masseria Valente, a fortified farmhouse dating back to the 1700's exclusive to our guests. Puglia is one of the most delightful and historic regions of Italy, located in the southern region, forming the heel of Italy's boot. When it comes to picturesque destinations, Puglia is a real hidden gem. This stunning coastal region will captivate you with its breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and warm hospitality. Puglia offers a unique blend of ancient traditions, mouthwatering cuisine, and idyllic towns, making it an irresistible destination if you're seeking an authentic Italian experience.
For history enthusiasts, Puglia is a treasure trove of ancient architecture and historical sites. In Lecce, often referred to as the "Florence of the South", you'll marvel at the Baroque-style buildings, intricate facades, and ornate churches. The city's rich history is evident as you stroll through Piazza del Duomo and visit the Basilica di Santa Croce. Puglia is also the olive oil capital of Italy, and it's not uncommon to find ancient olive groves that have stood for centuries.
Take a trip to the town of Ostuni, known as the "White City" due to its whitewashed buildings that gleam under the sun. Enjoy the scenic countryside filled with vineyards, orchards, and rolling hills dotted with charming villages. One of the most iconic images of Puglia is the whimsical town of Alberobello, renowned for its distinctive conical-roofed houses known as "trulli." These traditional dry-stone huts, dating back to the 14th century, are a UNESCO World Heritage site and evoke a sense of wonder as you wander through the narrow streets of the Trulli Zone.
If you're a food lover then you'll find Puglia a paradise for your taste buds as we indulge ourselves in the region's culinary delights. Puglia is a destination that offers a captivating blend of history, natural beauty, and gastronomic delights. As we explore the fairytale-like trulli of Alberobello, indulge in the flavors of Puglia's cuisine, or taste the Olive Oil of the region, Puglia promises an unforgettable and enriching experience. So, join us in May 2024 as we venture off the beaten path and uncover the treasures of this hidden gem known as Puglia.
Day 1 - Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Your Puglia holidays hosts will meet you at Masseria Valente where we will have the day at leisure. Feel free to chill out and take a dip in the pool before we have our first group dinner at a local restaurant (payable locally). We can arrange your private airport transfers to Masseria Valente.
Day 2 - Thursday, May 16, 2024
After breakfast we depart by private transfer to Ostuni, one of the prettiest towns in the Brindisi province of Puglia. Here we have an escorted tour of the town. This charming, fortified hill town is known as La Città Bianca (The White City) due to its whitewashed buildings and city walls which give it a very exotic feel, more Greek or Middle Eastern than Italian. The stark white of the town is broken up by some beautiful historical architecture, all of which stands out majestically from its surroundings.
From Ostuni we depart by private coach to Polignano, which is arguably one of the most spectacular spots in the region, perched atop a 20 metre-high limestone cliff above the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic and dates back to the 4th century BC. We embark on a guided tour of Polignano before transferring back to Masseria Valente for lunch and the afternoon at your leisure. We will have our group dinner at a local restaurant (payable locally)
Day 3 - Friday, May 17, 2024
After breakfast we’ll enjoy a cooking class at the Masseria, preparing the typical pasta of Apulia and bring home the secrets of local cuisine! Spend the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon at your leisure either chilling by the pool or going to the local beach. At 4pm we depart to the historic town of Lecce, a Baroque masterpiece, known as the “Florence of the South” The town is built in the local soft creamy limestone with beautiful architectural surprises around every corner as well as its typical small squares and unexpected alleyways, standing out as one of the most beautiful cities of art in Puglia. Here we start with a walking tour of the town followed by free time to explore and shop and have some dinner before returning to the Masseria.
Day 4 - Saturday, May 18, 2024
After breakfast we take our private transfer to Matera where we’ll have an escorted tour of the town. Matera is one of the most interesting, unusual and memorable destinations in Italy and is one of the oldest, still inhabited cities in the world - a magical place that preserves evidence of human settlements since the Palaeolithic period in its natural caves carved into the rock. The caves of Matera had been inhabited for centuries and until the 1950s hundreds of families were still living crowded into cave-houses here. In 1993 the town was made a UNESCO World Heritage site, for being "the most outstanding, intact example of a troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean region, perfectly adapted to its terrain and ecosystem".
And ever since, Matera has become steadily more popular as an off-the-beaten-track tourist destination. Matera was the one of the filming locations for Mel Gibson's film The Passion of the Christ, with shots showing the Sassi and the gorge below. After our tour there will be time for lunch (payable locally).
After lunch we continue on to Alberobello where we’ll have a private escorted tour of this unique and picturesque town which has also been made a UNESCO World Heritage site for its unusual districts of Trulli, the characteristic white-washed conical-roofed houses of the area. After our tour we’ll have a food tasting hour of some typical foods of the area on a panoramic terrace. We then head home to Masseria Valente for our group dinner (payable locally).
Day 5 - Sunday, May 19, 2024
After breakfast we are transferred by private coach to Cisternino where we have our private escorted tour. The white-washed city of Cisternino is listed as one of the most beautiful small towns in Italy. Originally founded by Greek settlers, it became the Roman town of Sturnium before being destroyed by Hannibal during his Puglian campaigns. The result is an interesting medieval centre full of fascinating alleyways with archways that wind through the narrow bleached streets fronted by staircases, with balconies awash in flowers and characteristic little courtyards. We then continue on to Locorotondo for our next escorted tour. Locorotondo is a small town and is officially one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. As well as its picturesque appearance the town is also known for its wine production. It’s here we start our wine tour of Cellar I Pastini, ending with the tasting of a selection of their wines. After our tour we return back to Masseria Valente for the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure. We will take our group dinner at a local restaurant (payable locally)
Day 6 - Monday, May 20, 2024
We spend the last day at Masseria Valente chilling and relaxing. In the afternoon we’ll have a guided walk around the Masseria’s olive-tree fields, visiting the underground oil farm with a spot of Olive oil tasting. In the evening we’ll have our final group dinner in the Masseria’s restaurant (payable locally)
Day 7 - Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Time to say our fond farewells.
We can arrange your airport transfers from Masseria Valente
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