The Culture of Food Puglia
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Puglia
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May 10-16, 2026
My trip to Italy last year with Via Rosa was truly life-changing—the best of my life. I had the rare opportunity to work one-on-one with farmers and food artisans, learning directly from the source. Experiencing the journey of food from field to table gave me a deep, personal connection to Italy that no book or video could ever offer. I fell in love with the process, and it made me a better cook, too.
Now, I’m heading back, this time to the sun-drenched region of Puglia, and I’d love for you to come along. This unforgettable tour, curated by renowned food writer Elizabeth Minchilli and her company Via Rosa, is a six-day immersion into the rich culinary traditions of southern Italy.
We’ll savor focaccia fresh from the oven, creamy burrata, hand-rolled orecchiette, and golden olive oil straight from the grove. But more than just tasting, we’ll meet the incredible people behind these flavors—farmers, cheesemakers, and home cooks—welcoming us into their homes, farms, and kitchens for experiences not available to the average traveler.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience Puglia in the most intimate, delicious way possible. I truly can’t wait, and I hope you’ll join me on this amazing journey.
– Shereen
Day 1: Arrival & Introductions
Arrival
We’ll begin our week in one of Puglia’s most beautiful cities: Lecce. Our stay will be at the elegant Hotel Patria Palace, where you can check in anytime after 3 pm and have a chance to settle in before meeting everyone later that evening. Waiting for you in your room will be some welcome snacks to enjoy, a Via Rosa tote bag to collect goodies throughout the week, and a guide to Via Rosa’s favorite spots in Lecce and Monopoli.
Drinks and Dinner
At 7 pm, we’ll gather for a glass of prosecco to kick off the week, introduce ourselves, and discuss what’s ahead. We will also meet Angelo, our local tour leader, who will be with us the entire week, providing historical context and sharing stories of his home and family.
Then, we’ll take a short walk through the historic town center to one of our favorite family-run restaurants. The evening will be filled with local specialties like burrata and orecchiette, and an introduction to the local wines.
Day 2: Cooking & History
Market and Cooking Class
After breakfast, we’ll meet Gianna, who runs one of the oldest cooking schools in Lecce. We’ll start with a market walk, stopping for coffee along the way, before heading to Gianna’s palazzo to prepare a traditional menu, from appetizers to desserts. Lunch will be the fruits of our labor, paired with local wines.
Afternoon
After our meal, enjoy some downtime to relax or explore at your own pace.
Lecce Walking Tour and Aperitivo
In the early evening, we’ll meet Angelo for a guided tour of Lecce. Known as the “Florence of the South,” Lecce boasts stunning Baroque architecture and a rich history dating back to Roman times. This walk will also help orient you for the rest of your time here. We’ll end the day with an aperitivo at a nearby bar.
Day 3: Galatina & Gallipoli
Galatina
After breakfast, we’ll visit the charming town of Galatina to wander the streets and visit the Basilica di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, constructed in the 14th century. Its unique fresco cycle, which covers the entire interior, is one of the most important medieval spectacles in Italy.
Gallipoli
Next, we’ll travel to the ancient port town of Gallipoli. We’ll wander through town as Angelo explains the history. You’ll also have some free time to visit the shops or walk along the sea. We’ll then enjoy a seafood lunch featuring local specialties, including the area’s famous shrimp.
Dinner
After a long day of eating, you are on your own in Lecce for dinner tonight. We can suggest some wine bars or nibbles or else a regular restaurant or pizzeria if you are hungry after our big lunch!
Day 4: Olive Oil & Fornello
Lecce → Monopoli
This morning, we’ll pack our bags to change hotels. But before we get to our new lodging in Monopoli, we have quite a full day.
Olive Oil
Puglia is one of Italy’s largest producers of olive oil, and today, we’ll visit a press known for crafting some of the region’s best oil. We’ll learn about the pressing process and take part in a formal tasting, discovering the key elements that make an exceptional olive oil.
Martina Franca
Next, we’ll explore the beautiful town of Martina Franca, the heart of the Valle D’Itria. Its significance as a commercial center is reflected in its stunning baroque architecture. As we stroll through town, we’ll head to lunch at a typical local spot: a fornello. These butcher-shop-restaurants allow you to choose your meat, which is then cooked in traditional wood-burning grills. You’ll enjoy a hearty meal of regional specialties.
Monopoli
After lunch, we’ll arrive in the seaside town of Monopoli and check into our new hotel, Don Ferrante. The hotel is unique, carved into the ancient walls surrounding the town. You’ll have time to settle in before a quick orientation walk through town.
Dinner
Tonight is yours to explore Monopoli at your own pace. Restaurant recommendations can be found in our guide.
Day 5: Bari
Bari
Today we will spend the day in Bari, Puglia’s lively capital city. Our friend Giorgio, a Bari native, will take us through some of his favorite local spots. We’ll start with a stroll along the lungomare, arriving at the old fish market.
Old Bari
Next, we’ll dive into the winding alleys of Bari Vecchia, where life spills out onto the streets. Homes open directly onto narrow alleyways, offering glimpses of families gathered around their tables. With Giorgio as our guide, we’ll explore the neighborhood and meet the famous orecchiette ladies making pasta by hand.
We will learn how this literal cottage industry came about and why the women of Bari Vecchia set up tables in the streets to make and sell bags of pasta. They make orecchiette differently than in the rest of Puglia, using a unique technique that speeds up the handmade process so quickly it’s hard to catch!
Lunch
Next, we’ll explore one of Bari’s signature dishes: Spaghetti all’Assassina. Unlike traditional pasta, this dish is cooked similarly to risotto, with a rich tomato broth gradually added to the pan as the pasta cooks until it turns irresistibly crispy. After a cooking demonstration, we’ll sit down to try this famous dish.
Dinner
Tonight is yours to enjoy Monopoli.
Day 6: Valle D'Itria
Masseria
This morning, we’ll head out to discover the fresh cheeses of Puglia: mozzarella, ricotta, and burrata. We’ll visit a traditional Apulian home. This family-run small-scale cheese maker in the heart of the Valle d’Itria has been run with love, tradition, and innovation for generations. Here we’ll learn the art of mozzarella braiding and burrata making from a master cheesemaker. Then, we’ll sit down in the family’s dining room, to a meal of farm-made cheeses, cured meats, and freshly baked bread.
Alberobello
If you’ve seen just one photo of Puglia, chances are it’s from Alberobello. This enchanting village is famous for its trulli—centuries-old, round stone buildings with cone-shaped roofs. As we wander through this UNESCO-protected town, Angelo will share the fascinating history of these unique structures, and we’ll have the chance to step inside a few trulli.
Farewell Dinner
After returning to Monopoli, you’ll have the afternoon to relax and explore before we gather for our farewell dinner. We’ll celebrate with a seafood feast at one of our favorite local restaurants.
Day 7: Departure
Check-out
Our tour is officially over, and after one last breakfast, you will be checking out of the hotel in Monopoli.
Is This Tour For You?
The Culture of Food
All of our tours are designed around experiencing a place through its food culture. Nearly all activities are food-focused, with generous meals and often snacks in between. If you have a small appetite, significant dietary restrictions, are squeamish, or a particularly selective eater, this tour may not be the right fit. Our trips are best suited for those who are excited to eat adventurously, try new things, and fully engage with the local culinary traditions.
Food Intolerances
Southern Italy’s cuisine is deeply rooted in the Mediterranean diet, featuring an abundance of vegetables, grains, and seasonal ingredients. That said, many of our shared meals celebrate traditional dishes that often include fish, meat, and cheese. While vegetarians and those with lactose intolerance will not go hungry, they may not experience the full range of the food culture we highlight. We’re happy to accommodate where possible, but flexibility is key.
Activity Level
Each day involves visiting a new town or village, often on foot. Expect up to an hour or more of walking per day, occasionally on uneven terrain, hills, or stairs. While not strenuous, our pace is steady, and all guests must be able to move comfortably with the group without assistance.
Travel Companions
Many of our guests find us through social media and come knowing what to expect: immersive food experiences, visits to farms and markets, hands-on activities, and shared meals in rustic, authentic settings. If you’re bringing a friend, partner, or family member, please ensure they’re equally excited about this kind of travel. If they’re not enthusiastic about food, long meals, or rural experiences, they may not find this tour enjoyable.
Pricing:
Pricing:
Double occupancy (2 people in 1 room): €5900 per person
Single occupancy (1 person in 1 room): €6900 per person
The fee includes:
- 3 nights at Patria Palace Hotel, Lecce
- 3 nights at Don Ferrante, Monopoli
- Daily breakfast
- All of the meals, activities and transportation outlined above
- Gratuities
- A copy of Shereen Pavlides’s book Rockstar Dinners
Not included:
- Transportation to and from Italy
- Transportation to and from hotel
Itinerary:
Our tours focus on small, family-run businesses, so we reserve the right to adjust the itinerary as needed. Days may be switched, activities added or changed, and locations substituted. A final itinerary will be sent 30 days before the tour begins.
Group Size:
This tour is limited to 12 participants.
Thank you for everything, the trip was amazing and every experience more remarkable than the one before. It’s been magical. Hoping to be able to travel with your Via Rosa tours again soon!
Janet
Your Host for the Week
Shereen Pavlides
Shereen is the beloved professionally-trained chef and creator of the viral sensation and hit social media platform, Cooking with Shereen. She is the bestselling author of Cooking with Shereen from Scratch: Because You Can! and RockStar Dinners. She has appeared on Good Morning America, Live! with Kelly and Ryan, The Today Show, Access Daily, The Doctors and The Tamron Hall show. She is a recurring guest chef on Live! with Kelly and Mark. Her work has also been featured in People, Teen Vogue, and BuzzFeed Tasty. You can follow her on Instagram and TikTok.