Custom Tours to Italy

The Runaway Italian Presents:

A ‘PUGLIA’S HIDDEN TREASURES TOUR’

in undiscovered Puglia, the Heel of Italy

Dates to confirmed

7 days, 6 nights

Small group – max of 9 participants

piazza Sant’Oronzo, Lecce, Italy

Immerse yourself in nature and restore your energy, vitality and experience some Puglia ‘therapy’ with a Runaway Italian ‘Puglia’s Hidden Treasures tour’!

You will benefit from the dedicated attention of an expert and friendly Italian Tour Manager and Guide, who will provide fantastic local knowledge and insider know-how. Nicla Marinelli aka the Runaway Italian is passionate about bringing you closer to authentic and undiscovered Italy and create memorable travel experiences you will never forget!

Trani’s Cathedral

PUGLIA

Puglia in the heel of Italy is a seriously underrated region. Yet, its breath-taking monuments, together with its dazzling coastline, scenery, and exuberant party atmosphere make it truly unique and beautiful.

Did you also know about the remarkable findings of some scientists that reveal that even a short stay of 3 days or more in Puglia has amazing benefits for your physical and mental wellbeing? I can truly say that I have experienced this myself as I have made Puglia my home!

Take a moment and think how good it will feel to be surrounded by fascinating architecture, while you sip your espresso and wait to be inspired and energized by everything going on around you.

While we will also be indulging on the yummy delights of Apulian cuisine, this life-changing tour will heighten all of your senses and revive your vitality and zest for life like no other! Each event, each class, each moment is carefully designed to deeply immerse you in the local culture and reignite your creativity and sense of wonder.

This unique experience will:

  • Reconnect you to your passions, creativity and self-care

  • Put you in touch with nature and restore your wellbeing, mental and physical

  • Reawaken all your senses and deepen your capacity to fully embrace life

  • Clear your mind and energize your body to fully open up to new possibilities

These are some of other highlights of this very special experience:

  • Feast your eyes on fascinating architecture, especially Norman and Baroque, on exceptionally attractive hilltop towns, charming fishing ports and dazzling coastline and beaches

  • Sample the fantastic local cuisine and delight your taste buds on the flavours of Puglia

  • Take part in unforgettable local experiences that put you in touch with the culture like no other

  • Feel more in tune with nature and revive your wellbeing as well as spark your creativity

The local cuisine

Puglia is a region of farmers and is famous for producing 40% of Italy’s olive oil. It’s also a huge producer of durum wheat, which has resulted in Puglia becoming the home of some of Italy’s most famous pasta dishes and breads.

This southern region has traditionally been a poor one, with cucina povera or simple peasant cooking responsible for most Apulian dishes. Vegetables are preferred over meat, while fish and seafood are enjoyed along Puglia’s coast. Hearty baked dishes, simple plates of pasta and wilted wild greens such as chicory or cime di rape (turnip tops) are among the region’s most famous foods, while the rich string cheese burrata and bread from Altamura are enough to justify a direct trip to the area.

During your time with us, you will have the opportunity to recreate some of the mouth-watering dishes with the expert help of a local chef and sample all the goodness of an Apulian’s homemade meal. I’m sure it will be an unforgettable experience for us all!

What’s included:

  • 2 nights en-suite accommodation at 4* Hotel San Paolo al Convento in Trani, converted from a 15th century convent and 4 nights en-suite accommodation at the historic Palazzo Persone’ in the centre of Lecce. The rooms occupy a former 15th century palazzo. Accommodation will also take place at Dimora Storica Muratore, a charming 19th century palazzo, surrounded by beautiful gardens.

  • All transfers from and to the airport of Bari in Italy and all scheduled journeys throughout the stay including transfer by people carrier

  • All breakfasts

  • 5 dinners, one provided by a talented local chef

  • a full-time Italian Tour Manager and Guide, Nicla Marinelli

  • a unique experience learning about the production of local olive oil and oil tasting in one of the most ancient olive mills

  • a cooking class to recreate 2 local dishes

  • a unique experience learning about the production of amazing papier-mache’ figurines made with paper using a traditional and ancient method of the 1300s

  • an unforgettable and lively performance of local musicians and dancers

  • sound healing session

What’s not included:

  • Any gratuities and extra drinks/refreshments

  • 5 lunches and 1 dinner

  • Flights – I will be happy to help you with this. Contact me on niclamarinelli@therunawayitalian.com

 

Itinerary & prices to come very soon!