A day in the life of a small Puglia town, tasting local specialties and making new friends
Hosted by a fifth-generation master cheesemaker, this intimate food experience takes you into the heart of Puglia beyond the usual tourist paths, where you’ll explore a small traditional town through its most authentic flavors
At the family-run dairy, you’ll meet the cheesemaker’s siblings and watch fresh pasta filata cheeses being made before your eyes, tasting a generous selection including mozzarella, burrata, nodini, caciocavallo, and more. Depending on the group size and production schedule, you may even have the chance to try making cheese yourself!
From the dairy, the tour continues on foot through the town, beginning with a stop at the oldest bakery, where you’ll meet the owner and taste freshly baked focaccia pugliese. You’ll then visit a traditional flour mill to meet the artisan miller, before continuing on a guided walk through the historic center. Along the way, you’ll step inside a 17th-century monastery and stop at a historic pastry shop opposite the church, the birthplace of the famous Pugliese pastry tette delle monache, also known as sospiri pugliesi, which you’ll pick up to enjoy later as a sweet treat.
After exploring the old town, you’ll travel 8 miles into the countryside to reach a restaurant set within a protected reserve inside the Alta Murgia National Park. Surrounded by 6,000 acres of wilderness, you’ll enjoy a relaxed lunch either under umbrella pines or inside the air-conditioned dining room. The meal features the host’s signature cheeses, seasonal vegetables, local olive oil, iconic local bread, and other Pugliese specialties, all thoughtfully paired with local wines for an immersive, slow-paced finale set to the sounds of nature.
Depending on availability, following this experience we can add a guided tour of nearby Matera which is located at a 30-minute drive.
Highlights
What you'll be experiencing
- You will taste freshly made cheeses from the day’s production
- Enjoy traditional focaccia pugliese from the town’s oldest bakery and Pugliese pastries from a historic pastry shop
- Take lunch in the nature reserve, featuring local produce and typical regional specialties
- Recipes change seasonally and focus on homegrown produce, local dishes and traditional cooking methods
- Meals are paired with 3 glasses of wine per person
Practical Info
Key Points to Consider
- Upon request, private transportation can be arranged
- Bring a small reusable shopping bag to pick up treats throughout the day
- The floor in the cheesemaking facility is wet and slippery, please watch your step and wear appropriate footwear
- Please notify us in advance of any food allergies and aversions
- Gluten-free options are available
Duration
Tour Length
This experience lasts 5 hours, plus travel time
FAQs
Frequent Asked Questions
Inquiries
Get in touch with us today with any questions you have about this tour:
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