Discover Italy in its authentic, untouched state like you've never experienced before during your weeklong stay in Salento. We'll guide you to all the best beaches, food experiences, and historical city centers, giving you a glimpse into the Salento way of life. ​Day 1: Arrival + Welcome Aperitivo + Dinner We’ll greet you as soon as you step off your flight at Brindisi Papola Casale Airport or any other location of your choice (must be pre-approved) and whisk you away to the traditional villa that you’ll call home for the week. While you enjoy your dinner, we’ll discuss the exciting activities planned for the week ahead while understanding your particular interests and requests, to which we’ll be happy to cater your itinerary. Day 2: Otranto We’ll begin the day’s excursions at an olive grove where we’ll enjoy tasting a variety of oils while learning about the long and rich history of olive oil in Salento. We will then travel to Otranto, a picturesque coastal town with the distinction of being the easternmost town in Italy, which has a beautiful city center lined with art galleries, local craft shops, and restaurants for you to peruse and enjoy.  Day 3: Porto Selvaggio + Coastal Towns + Gallipoli We’ll make our way to Porto Selvaggio Nature Preserve to experience this protected park’s untouched coastline and crystal-clear waters. While we encourage all to enjoy its refreshing waters and ample marine life, Porto Selvaggio’s hiking trails and beautiful coastal views offer enjoyment for all. After we’ll head to Santa Caterina for gelato or aperitif before setting off on foot along a beautiful coastal walking path until we reach Santa Maria al Bagno, another small and splendid coastal village.  From here, we’ll continue along the coast to Gallipoli, first enjoying this populated city center’s modern offerings of eateries and roadside markets. Day 4: Lecce + Winery We’ll begin our morning with a short drive to Galatina, famous for being one of St. Peter’s stopping points along his trip to Rome. We’ll visit one of the most famous pastry shops in the city where we will taste the Pasticciotto, a traditional pastry unique to Salento. Afterward, we’ll head north towards the highly regarded Salice Salentino wine region. We will visit 2 or 3 wineries to taste their wines, walk through their vines, and learn about their history and current operations. Then, we’ll spend the evening strolling through the wonderful limestone streets of the Baroque city of Lecce where we’ll enjoy dinner at a local eatery. Day 5: Adriatic Coast Today we return to Salento’s eastern coast to enjoy the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea in several of its picturesque port towns. Santa Cesaria Terme where at the edge of town lies Spiaggia dei 100 gradini (“Beach of 100 Steps”), one of the most beautiful swimming coves Salento has to offer, and our second opportunity of the day for a refreshing dip into the sea. Then we’ll continue south to Castro for a casual seafood lunch overlooking the sea. We'll enjoy dramatic cliffside views as we continue our journey south until we reach the southernmost tip of Puglia and round the “heel of the boot.” Day 6: Alberobello + Valley of the Trulli + Ostuni Today we’ll travel north to the Valle d’Itria to enjoy Puglia’s untouched countryside. We’ll visit Alberobello with its narrow, hilly streets lined with seemingly miniature whitewashed houses with conical stone roofs. We’ll continue our journey through the valley to Locorotondo, and then we’ll stop for lunch in the third of these sister cities, Cisternino, famous for its barbecuing butchers and their traditional “bombette.” We’ll enjoy the local specialties amongst the alleyways and piazzas that seem to pop up throughout this haphazard city center before making our way out of this beautiful valley. Ostuni, La Città Bianca (The White City), will serve as our final stop of the day.  Day 7: Local Day During your final day, we'll take it slow. We'll enjoy a leisurely stroll through a local open-air market that occurs daily in a different town in the region. (If the slow life's not for you, we're happy to help you to see anything you think you might have missed during the week!) ​Day 8: Departure Day Following breakfast to accommodate your travel schedule, we’ll bring you to Brindisi Papola Casale Airport or any other pre-approved location for your departure. We thank you for choosing to explore Puglia with us and hope you’ve gained an abundance of memories to last a lifetime!

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