Enjoy a week of delicious food
& beautiful sights!
Fall 2024: October 5 – 12
- Shop like an Italian at fresh, local food markets
- Learn traditional Italian recipes
- Relax with a truly all-inclusive itinerary
- Dine in world-famous restaurants
- Get an insider’s tour wherever you go
- Learn the secrets to making fresh pasta and other local favorites
- Stay in a beautifully restored historic, working agriturismo
- Explore amazingly beautiful nearby sights
- Leave with a complimentary bottle of homemade limoncello and a Villa Cappelli apron
- Enjoy a complimentary happy hour every night
“I can’t imagine a more perfect week in Italy than one spent with you in your home. You’ve created such a special place, and your warmth, humor, hospitality, and insanely good cooking make an extraordinary week!” — Bob Tuschman, SVP Food Network and judge of Food Network Star
Below is the itinerary for our Culture and Culinary Tour. We hope you join us!
Saturday: Bon Giorno! Welcome to Puglia!
Arrive at Villa Cappelli and prepare for a week of food and fun.
We recommend you schedule your flight through to the Bari airport or if you are arriving by train, you take the train to Molfetta and then take the commuter train to Terlizzi or we can pick you up in Molfetta. You will be picked up at either the airport or train station and whisked away to Villa Cappelli.
After settling into your room, a light lunch will be available for those arriving early enough. The afternoon will be free to explore the grounds and relax.
That night, you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner — and your first cooking lesson if you like — and a limoncello lesson.
Sunday: Some seafood by the sea shore
This morning you’ll travel the seaside town of Trani. This charming town features a beautiful port and a giant cathedral that sits right on the sea. It’s truly one of the most beautiful cities in Puglia.
We’ll then head down to Giovinazzo, a true hidden gem. Another seaside town where we can take a walking tour, then enjoy a seafood lunch in town.
That night, we’ll have a pasta making class at the villa. We’ll let the pasta sit and dry overnight while we head into Telizzi that night for a dinner of local specialties.
Monday: Shop like an Italian!
This morning you’ll head into Terlizzi where we’ll shop like a local, collecting fresh food for the week.
Head to one shop for fresh mozzarella, and then just down the way for fresh vegetables. Then we’ll check out a couple of butchers (one for beef, one for horse, etc). Then, of course, you’ll need fresh bread from the local baker. All while touring the old town of Terlizzi.
Lunch will be some of items we picked at the market.
The afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the villa. Dinner is at the villa that night and as always, all those that wish to join in the cooking can. We’ll be enjoying the pasta we made the night before.
Tuesday: A Gravina we will go
Today you’ll head to Gravina. Another true hidden gem of Italy and Puglia. It was featured in the last James Bond movie, so more and more know about it.
You’ll tour cave churches, an amazing church and it’s ancient clock tower, and walk across Roman bridge (the same one James Bond jumped off of). Then we’ll lunch at a local restaurant featuring lots of local Puglia specialties.
That night, you’ll enjoy a short presentation about extra virgin olive oil production before dinner at the villa. Again, anyone is welcome to join the kitchen and help cook (or enjoy a glass of whine and just watch).
Wednesday: OMG Matera!
Today you’ll head to Matera, another amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area dates back centuries, but is still occupied today by residents, shops, restaurants and even hotels that are built into the soft “tufa” rock. It was also chosen as the European Culture Capitol for 2019!
You’ll walk the ancient winding streets that are so well preserved that they have been used in many movies, including Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ and the recent Ben Hur. Lunch will be in a local restaurant before heading back to the villa.
For those interested, it is a good time to take a walk along the ancient Via Appia Traiana where the villa is located. Dating from 109 AD, this ancient Roman highway is truly like walking back in time. You’ll be strolling along the same road Roman soldiers used to march along.
Dinner will be in one of the nearby towns.
Thursday: A Meal to Remember
This morning, you’ll first head to Castel del Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featured on the back of the Euro penny. Built in the 13th century by the Swabian Emperor, Frederick II, Castel del Monte is perched atop a hill, overlooking all of Puglia and the Adriatic. The castle is featured in many myths and legends, including the Holy Grail.
Then, you’ll lunch at the famous agriturismo Antichi Sapori and enjoy a truly special meal at a restaurant whose chef has won wide recognition and been featured on Stanley Tucci’s Italian travel show. It’s a meal you’ll never forget.
After a long lunch, you’ll head back to the villa to relax. Dinner tonight will be something light at the villa.
Friday: Dive into the final day!
This morning, you’ll enjoy a quick trip to Alberobello, a town famous for its trulli, which are stone buildings made without any mortar. If you’ve ever seen a Puglian guidebook, these structures are often featured on the cover.
Next, you’ll head off to Polignano a Mare, a truly gem of a town. We’ll walk the winding ancient streets and enjoy the views from this amazing city that literally juts out into the sea. It’s famous for the locals climbing the cliffs to jump off them, and now Red Bull hosts a world-famous cliff diving competition here every year.
You’ll lunch at an amazing seafood restaurant with some amazingly fresh and delicious fish before we head back to the villa.
For tonight’s farewell dinner, you’ll be rolling out and cooking up your own pizza which we’ll then cook in the villa’s ancient wood-burning pizza oven.
Saturday: Arrivederci! (See you soon!)
Today, you’ll unfortunately have to say goodbye to Puglia and all your new friends. Transfers will be available for those heading to the airport of train stations. But it’s not “goodbye” as we know we’ll see you again!
Included:
- Breakfast every morning, consisting of homemade yogurt, cereal, bread, pastries, homemade Villa Cappelli conserves, fruit, coffee, tea and juice
- Every meal, transportation, and tour listed in the itinerary
- All shopping excursions and cooking lessons
- Villa Cappelli wine and after-dinner liquors with every Villa meal
- There is also a complimentary cocktail time every night
Not included:
- Any souvenirs or other purchases made during your trip
- Any meals or snacks you choose to have on your own not listed in the itinerary
Join us!
Only €2250 per person for the all-inclusive week.
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS!
Enter your name and email, and we’ll get the process started.
If you have any questions, just email us at [email protected]
Price includes: Lodging for 7 nights in double occupancy room at Villa Cappelli (some rooms share a bathroom though we are hoping to eliminate that issue before the first tour); All meals listed in the itinerary; Transfer from Bari Airport or Terlizzi or Molfetta train stations on arrival and departure days; any entrance fees and guide fees; transportation to and from events listed in the itinerary.
Price does not include: Air or other transportation costs to and from Bari, Italy or nearby towns; personal items such as souvenirs, snacks, faxes, telephone calls; admissions not described as included in the itinerary; gratuities for guides.
“Thank you all for an awesome week. The food was marvelous. The sights were breathtaking. Many of our friends were just in awe when they saw our photos of food and outings.” — Brian C., Alaska
“Thanks for an amazing trip! Loved getting to eat, drink, and cook so many delicious things. It was great to spend a week feeling like we were part of the family.” — Chris H., Puerto Rico
“The food, drinks, sights — all exceeded my expectations. You provide the perfect setting and then make it even more perfect by being the greatest hosts. I hope to make this an annual trip!” — Caroline T., Utah
“Everything was perfect — beds, food, tours, geniune hospitatlity. An experience I will never forget!!! I want to come back soon.” — Judy T., New Hampshire
For more detailed information, please read our Terms & Conditions.
Minimum of 6 people for tour.