Puglia: Cultural Immersion Excursion in the heel of Italy
Wine, food, cooking classes, walking tours, bike rides, and more
April 7, 2026 – April 18, 2026
11 Days / 10 Nights
10 nights four-star resorts, wine tasting, 8 lunches and dinners (some wine-paired), Michelin-rated restaurants, two half-day easy bike tours (one is optional) through the countryside, walking tours in 4 ancient villages, cooking class, two wine tastings, tour and olive oil tasting, more.
Please read all the details below on the Details/Itinerary page AND the linked Puglia Logistics page for all details about all aspects of the tours.
Contact Morningstar See-Ski-Savor Tours directly at
[email protected] or call us
(520) 405-5508.
We love chatting about our Puglia trip!
from @ $3,185 Note this is very close to final cost. We have to confirm a few last details. Any increase will be announced soon and it will be minimal.
This tour is available for sign-up exclusively for the friends and family of John and Diane Stitt, our partners on this tour. This exclusivity will end in May, 2025 and the tour will be open to everyone.
We have a new partner for this tour and we are excited to welcome the friends and family of
John & Diane Stitt
The Stitts fell in love with Puglia on one of our first tours there and want to return with a lot of friends in tow.
“The old small charming towns and Trulias were unique and unlike anywhere we have been. The food, quaint family run restaurants, excellent food, wonderful wine all combined to make a memorable trip! And Dan and Deb with their energy and enthusiasm are the best. We are partnering with them to share this special place in Italy with our friends.”
For over 35 years, Morningstar has been crafting unforgettable group tours—and we love every minute of it! Our greatest joy is sharing extraordinary destinations with wonderful friends, both new and old. And for us, there’s only one way to do it: experiencing every tour firsthand along with everyone. After all, what would be the point otherwise?
This will be our 7th tour to Puglia—a place that has completely captured our hearts. With its warm, welcoming people, uniquely delicious food and wine, breathtaking hilltop villages, and a history that unfolds at every turn, Puglia is pure magic. Framed by shimmering seas on both sides, the atmosphere here is simply enchanting.
We LOVE our friends in Puglia. The hoteliers feel like family, embracing our guests with that signature Italian warmth that makes you feel instantly at home. Every time we return, it’s like stepping 20 years back in time—where life moves at a slower, more authentic pace.
Think of it as Tuscany without the tourists—at half the cost!
Come experience the charm, the flavors, and the friendships that keep bringing us back, time and time again. We can’t wait to introduce you to the Puglia we adore
This is Puglia
Join Dan and Deb in one of their favorite places in Italy for their 7th eleven-day visit to this little-known spectacular region.
Bonus: Puglia (poo lee ah) is small and we will never have a drive longer than one hour and a half during the entire journey.
Puglia is a breath of fresh air… something completely unexpected… a balm for the spirit…a respite from the crowds …a break from the touristic… a rabbit hole which transports you back 30 years. Puglia is the heel of Italy. For those fortunate enough to visit, it connects to simpler times and a natural landscape that is increasingly difficult to find. No hype, no hordes of tourists… just natural wonders, great wine and food, and fascinating history.
See below for the many exciting details of this Puglia journey. Take the time to read the descriptions of the itinerary. Be sure to look at the numerous linked photo galleries. If you do, you will understand our enthusiasm for this region Italy’s heel.
If you want to experience how Italy used to be, join us on our wine and food tasting journey through Puglia. It will be a journey you will never forget.
Included in this outstanding travel value:
AIR
LEAVE USA April 7, 2026. The nearest major airport to Bari is Rome FCO. Of course, you can route your air thru other cities, as you chose. But no matter, you MUST arrive into Bari, Italy on April 8, 2026 for your first hotel night of the tour. If you would like to arrive a day or two earlier to shake off the jet lag and recharge, we can arrange extra hotel nights at our 5-star luxury Bari hotel, upon request. You fly out of Bari any time on either April 18 2026. The LAST HOTEL NIGHT of the tour is April 17 in Bari.
NOTE: If you are flying into Rome, you can book 55 minute flights from FCO to Bari airport. CAVEAT/ WARNING: Make sure to get a flight that is non-stop! Otherwise, what should take an hour can take five hours. Plan carefully and accordingly. Further, there is a 3.5 hour train ride from Rome to Bari as well. Organinzing all your air to/from Bari is each participant’s responsibility. Please: pay attention to all the details and make sure your flights are on correct dates and that your flights mesh with each other.
Day by Day Itinerary with ALL the details below
Day one: arrive in Bari
Arrive in Bari April 8, 2026, after your overnight flight from USA and check into your hotel. The Hotel Excelsior is a 4-star property near the lovely pedestrian shopping area.
DAY TWO April 9, 2026
Monopoli
On our way to Masseria Cervarolo we will stop for a half-day visit at the ancient port town of Monopoli where you will have free time to wander around this charming seaside village.
Wine-paired lunch at the spectacular Piazza Palmieri Restaurante. Spectacular!
Palmieri offers the best warm seafood appetizer we ever had along with excellent main courses.
Menu:
Hot seafood appetizer
Seafood first course
1 glass of white wine
1 glass of red
Water and coffee
Of course, substitutes possible.
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April 9 afternoon: Arrival at Masseria Cervarolo This property is an old farm/fortress that has been beautifully restored. Many of the rooms are trullis! Replete with a beautiful pool area and a Michelin-rated restaurant, Cervarolo is perfectly located and within short driving distances of all the sites we will visit.
Afternoon: Generous pours of local wines…wine tasting with a local Som, right at beautiful Cervarolo! This is a great opportunity to try some local wines from nearby vineyards with a really nice local som lady, Teresa. Learn a ton about the Puglian wines you will be drinking. We will do this @5:30ish.
DAY THREE April 10
Martina Franca / Locorotondo / Optional AM bike ride
Spend a morning exploring the ancient towns of Martina Franca and Locorotondo on your own. A wine-paired lunch overlooking a beautiful vista will be served in Locorotondo for everyone.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY – 3.5 hour ride thru countryside: For active, adept bike riders, we are offering a half-day bike ride thru the countryside in place of the city visits. This ride is fantastic! You will ride about 4 hours thru gorgeous countryside on secondary roads with little traffic. If you love biking, DO NOT MISS THIS. It is worth every penny. The ride will end at Locorotondo where we will meet the rest of the non-biking group and have the same lunch described. It will include the same lunch as above.
COST: $110, includes for transportation to starting point of ride, bike (electric-assist bike upon request, add $33), and guides: $110. This must be signed up for by time of final payment at end of January. The fee will be added to your final invoice. We need minimum of 10 riders.
April 10: cooking class at Masseria Cerverola. First, a Puglian cooking class in the late afternoon. A 4-course wine-paired dinner at the Cervarolo’s Michilen-rated restaurant follows, both included in your tour events. Bonus: A local som will be there during the entire meal to share notes about each wine! As with our other masserias, we will be the only guests in the hotel…all ours.
DAY FOUR April 11
Lecce
Lecce is one of the best-preserved baroque cities in the world. Two-hour-walking tour followed by free time and lunch on your own.
Depart Lecce and return home to Cervarolo for some late-afternoon free time to relax and enjoy Cervarolo.
DAY FIVE April 12
Easy Bike ride through countryside
Included Ride to the Sea! Half-day bike ride, Parco della Dune Costiere… The ride takes us through the Ostuni countryside with panoramas of the Adriatic coast and the Puglian landscape with end point being the beach town of Tonne Canne. Electric bike upgrade available ($33). Easy ride with spectacular scenery! For lunch we will stop by a sea-side town for an included lunch.
After the ride and lunch, we will visit an ancient Masseria where the same family for generations have been making olive oil..
We will do a fascinating tour and olive oil tasting. Note: For those not wanting to ride, we will deliver you to the sea-side village which you can enjoy before the bike group’s arrival for lunch.
DAY SIX April 13
Alberobello, the city of Trullos
Alberobello, a Unesco site. This town has more trulli per square foot than anywhere in the world. Upon arrival in the morning, we will explore the village with the best guide in Alberdobelo! Then free time to wander, shop, and have a lunch on your own.
After Alberobello, it is on to Alta Mura and our next masseria experience: Masseria Pitti, a farm/fortresses from the 1600s. Olive oil and wine was produced in caves under the properties. The defensive fortress-like estates were constructed to ward off pirate attacks.
Part of the group will be at Masseria Pitti as an upgrade. Those choosing to not upgrade will be at the 4-star Hotel Fuori in nearby Altamura.
Both properties are 10 minutes apart. The package includes the 4-star Hotel Fuori Le Mura in Altamura and the Pitti is an upgrade. Two of the included wine-paired dinners will be at the Pitti with the third being a 3-hour walking dinner tour in Altamura. Everyone will participate in all the Pitti activities, including the dinners. Our charter bus will provide the short rides needed between properties. Best of all: we will be the only people in the Pitti…all ours.
DAY SEVEN April 14
Gravina
We arrive in the morning for a unique walking tour of this historic village, with underground olive oil and wine making facilities that date back many centuries.
Then: Time for an amazing wine-paired lunch at one of our fav Puglian restaurants! Deb and Dan discovered Mamma Mia’s restaurant overlooking the ruins of Gravina and it was one of the best meals we had on our trip. Puglia is known for its truffles and Mamma Mia’s makes a memorable truffle-based pasta you will savor and love. Not a truffle fan? No problem… easy substitue pasta. This will be a 2 hour extravaganza replete with 8 apetizers, pasta main, desserts, and of course a LOT of wine! Tellin ya: You are patzo (crazy!) if you don’t do this lunch!
ps: Did we mention that this place has one of the most amazing views anywhere!
Cost: included!
DAY EIGHT April 15
Free day in Alta Mura or optional bike ride in the countryside
A breather! We have added an extra 4th day and night in our Alta Mura stay for this tour. Alta Mura is fabulous old town to explore on your own. Sleep in, relax, and choose between two activities or do nothing! Those staying at the Masseria Pitti have the option of riding into Alta Mura with Gianni our driver mid-morning for a fun day of exploring, shopping, lunch… whatever YOU want. Those at the Fuori Hotel are already on the edge of Alta Mura.
OPTIONAL: Day long countryside BIKE RIDE: For those who want a more adventurous day, we are in the process of organizing an optional bike ride for the day in the countryside surrounding us.
Cost: $110 for transport to starting point, bikes, (electric-assist bikes +$33), guides. This must be signed up for before time of final payment, late January. Fee will be included in your final invoice amount. Minimum of 10 needed.
DAY NINE April 6
Matera
Get ready to be stunned. Matera, an ancient hilltop town that features 2,000-year-old cave homes under the modern city, will be our tour for the day. Free time to explore and have lunch. After some free relaxation time at the Pitti, you will be in for an extraordinary experience. Mattia, son of one of the owners of Pitti will guide us on a 3-hour walking dinner tour in Alta Mura. Prepare to eat more than you thought possible!
DAY TEN April 17
Return to Bari for a free afternoon and night before return flights the following day to USA.
We leave the Pitti and Fuori to return to Bari. We will drop you off at your 5-star SEASIDE hotel in Bari and you are free to enjoy Bari on your own. There are many shops, restaurants, and views to enjoy as you explore on your own. You arrange via hotel desk taxi rides for you flight home.
Testimonials
FROM PAST PUGLIA CLIENTS
Had an amazing trip to Puglia Italy with Dan and Deb. Our hotels/Masserias were so amazing as was everything about the trip! Dave and I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting an experience of a lifetime in Southern Italy!
Puglia with Dan and Deb is truly amazing! They do a wonderful job of planning. Everything was covered! When any issue arose they were quick to address. And of course they made sure we had plenty of wine! Puglia was the best! The people are very welcoming, food first class and plentiful, sites beautiful…could not ask for more!
This tour of the Puglia region is fantastic. From the great food and wine (not to mention great prices), to the beautiful accommodations and breathtaking countryside, I can say this tour is one not to miss. The planning and attention to detail by Dan and Deb is great! The daily schedule is well thought out including plenty of time for relaxing lunches and shopping. Every town and city was unique from each other, packed with its own history and beauty. Falling in love with this region is guaranteed, there’s not a thing not to like. You will also enjoy the hosts, Dan and Deb. Lots of fun and laughter are always included.