“You leave from the historic centre of Lecce to reach the village of Acaya, a citadel where you can admire the imposing castle, the surrounding walls and the urban layout of the old town, which has remained unchanged over time. In the charming square of this village there is only one shop, which serves as both a bar and a grocery shop: here you buy, Italian-style, a sandwich with provola and lampascioni (a small local onion, much appreciated by gourmets) or the more classic prosciutto and mozzarella
You then head to the Le Cesine Nature Reserve, a wetland area that is home to numerous species of plants – mainly from the Mediterranean maquis – and water birds. In the right season, spring or autumn, it is not uncommon to see migratory birds, including beautiful pink flamingos; today it is one of the very few remaining wetlands in the region, which is why it is a WWF oasis.
Stop at the beach for a refreshing swim, if the season permits, and to eat our excellent sandwich.
On the way back to Strudà you will visit a centuries-old olive grove with thousand-year-old specimens, now almost completely destroyed by the Xylella virus, but which testify to the difference between a past in which the land was cared for and a present in which the land is neglected.
Return to Lecce in the afternoon.
“

“Bari vecchia, the old heart of the city, the pulsating commercial soul of the people of Bari, among dozens of churches, museums and theatres, also hides a spirit full of delicacies and flavours.
In this new unmissable adventure, you will have the chance to try the best street food in the Mediterranean: focaccia, sgagliozze, cold meats and cheeses, accompanied by some excellent wine, strictly Apulian.
Attention! It is recommended not to eat beforehand!
What to see in Bari: The Papal Basilica of St Nicholas, Bari seafront, Swabian Norman Castle, Underground Bari, Cathedral of San Sabino, Streets of Orecchiette.
On Bari’s southernmost coast there are many nightclubs, for parties and music, the beaches of Pane e Pomodoro and Torre Quetta are the most popular destinations.
And since gluttony is hard to resist, several pastry shops and cornetterias are also open at night: you’ll be spoilt for choice.
“

This tour will take you on a discovery of the wine-food combination. You will taste four courses of typical Viestan dishes in combination with four wines. Many ingredients come from our vegetable garden, which you can admire from your table, and the menu changes according to the season. For a few hours we will try to make you feel like a typical Apulian person who loves good food and good wine. After the tour you can also visit the city: the ancient village of Vieste is very old. The first settlement refers to huts and burials from the 3rd millennium BC. Throughout the historical centre of Vieste we find medieval arches that enclose the small streets, where there were once ghettos of Jewish artisans and traders. Today, as then, these small ghettos have been occupied by lovely craft shops that attract numerous visitors in summer; a treasure chest of history, images, glimpses and the most beautiful photos.

The tour starts from Bari by minivan. The first step will be the visit to an oil mill with tasting of extra virgin olive oil in the countryside around Cisternino. Then there will be a lunch break at one of the butcher’s shops in the old town of Cisternino to try Bombette The tour will go on with a panoramic tour of the town of Ostuni and some local craft workshops. To finish you will visit a wine cellar in Locorotondo with tasting.

“On this exciting guided horseback excursion you will discover amazing coastal scenery within the Costa Otranto-S.Maria di Leuca Regional Natural Park. You will walk on horseback along the paths of the Natural Park, discover the Ex Cava di Bauxite with its famous Laghetto Rosso (Red Pond) and ride in the beautiful Baia dell’ Orte. Still on horseback, you will continue the excursion until you reach Masseria dell’ Orte and the legendary Torre del Serpe. From here you will continue through the Boschetto dell’ Orte and return to the stables, walking along the paths of the Natural Park. You will follow a timeless itinerary, riding through ancient sheep-tracks and rural areas amidst fascinating historical evidence, surrounded by the Mediterranean steppe and a coastal landscape of caves and hollows, rich in history and ancient legends. At the end of the excursion afterwards, you can have a small tasting session sampling various local products such as cheese made directly by the Masseria’s expert shepherds and cheese-makers.
In the afternoon, visit to the city of Otranto (Aragonese Castle, Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata, Cathedral Crypt, Old Town).
“

“You will walk inside the masseria, discovering its history and characteristics. The stone walls, the mighty walls with the soaring watchtower, the centuries-old olive grove, the small private church, the orange grove and the marvellous underground oil mill are just some of the places you will visit to learn about their ancient and fascinating history.The tasting will take place in the ancient stable, a room with stone vaults from which you can admire the Adriatic Sea with its marvellous colours.
The tasting route will be a journey along autochthonous Apulian vineyards. We will go from the vines of the Alta Murgia to those of the Primitivo di Manduria, passing through the Valle D’Itria.
The types of indigenous vines we will have you taste will be:
– verdeca;
– primitivo;
– negroamaro.”

Embark on the ‘Poetry Route’ for an exciting Sailing Boat Excursion with Wine Tasting and Lunch/Aperitif/Dinner on board also in the sunset version. Explore Roca, the Grotta della Poesia (Cave of Poetry) and the Marine Archaeological Area by sailboat, taste a selection of exclusive wines and take a relaxing swim or snorkel in the Cave of Poetry, one of the most beautiful natural pools in the world. A Marine Biologist Environmental Guide and a Sommelier will be on board throughout the entire experience and will guide you on an exciting adventure exploring the coastline, taking you on a journey of discovery of ancient routes, native vines, pirates, oil, fish, dolphins, legends and local traditions. The tasting of excellent local wines will be accompanied by a rich selection of Finger Food designed to make the most of the wines being sampled. We will make several swimming stops to dive in and explore the crystal-clear sea full of life of this wonderful stretch of coastline. At sunset we will have the chance if lucky to spot the marvellous dolphins approaching the coastline and show off their splendid darts. perhaps while sipping a glass of excellent rosé wine to round off a perfect day of sea and wine.

“Departure from Santa Maria di Leuca and, with the favourable winds, sailing along the fascinating Adriatic coastline, characterised by numerous karstic caves.
From the Cape of Leuca we will continue towards Castro, an area also formed by numerous sea caves including the renowned Grotta della Zinzulusa.
Navigation continues to Otranto, the pearl of Italy’s southernmost tip, where the lighthouse of Punta Palascia rises sumptuously.
“

“The itinerary starts from Gallipoli and has as its first stop Alezio (an ancient town of Messapic origin, where there is an interesting museum of Messapic Art that collects unique pieces of this pre-Roman civilisation that inhabited these lands in the first millennium B.C.) where a short stop will be made at a cheese factory to see the production of mozzarella and ricotta cheese. We then proceed to Tuglie where we can visit the Radio Museum (whose specimens, including telegraphs, are all in working order) or the Museum of Rural Civilisation.
We then move on to Sannicola to visit a small underground oil mill, where olives were once pressed and olive oil was obtained, exported throughout Europe as lampante oil (for lighting) until the mid-19th century.
Afterwards, we head back to the sea: in the Porto Selvaggio Natural Park we will have a picnic lunch in the shade of the pine forest and those who wish can also take a regenerating dip in the cool spring waters.
On the way back, don’t miss a stop in Santa Caterina, a quiet seaside village whose inhabitants and visitors seem to have no other activity than eating delicious ice cream. Return to Gallipoli before sunset.”

“The itinerary starts from Piazza Sant’Oronzo, a must-visit destination during a trip to Apulia. The presence of numerous historical monuments of great artistic importance gives this place considerable charm. In addition, thanks to the ancient Roman amphitheatre, of which only half of the splendid Roman structure can be admired, the atmosphere of the square becomes even more atmospheric.
The tour continues with a visit to the Dome, the cathedral of Lecce and seat of the archbishop, and then on to the Santa Croce’s Church, considered the emblem of Lecce Baroque.
The tour ends with a stroll through the picturesque old town, a real gem containing historical and artistic sites of extraordinary beauty, all of which can be easily reached on foot.”