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Exploring Italy Food & Wine Tours

Live like a local in Lecce

Your Itinerary

Day 1 - Baroque wonder!

Fly into Brindisi airport and head out to the ‘Florence of the South’! It is an approximately 30-minutes drive from the airport. You will be staying in the heart of the old town, in a former palace looking out onto the impressive Santa Croce church. Prepare to be wowed by Lecce’s incredible architecture, intricately carved facades and vibing nightlife. We have lots of restaurant recommendations here!

Accommodation

Day 2 - Strolling traveller

After breakfast at your hotel this morning, you will meet at Porta Napoli and go on a 2-hour guided tour through Puglia’s Baroque splendours! This is a great way to get your teeth into the rich history of this special city and get a bit of an orientation, especially as everyone gets around by foot here, so you’ll want to know what’s what. This afternoon you might want to explore under your own steam. Grab a map and head out to discover all the hidden gems this city has to offer. Be sure to feast your eyes on the beautiful churches, cathedrals and Piazza del Duomo. Rustic restaurants and wine bars overflow in this city, so you won’t be stuck for places to feast on real Italian food. You’ll find that there is a bit of hipster feel to some of these trendy eateries and watering holes.

Accommodation

Day 3 - Pretty little Gallipoli

Today head out to Gallipoli, the beautiful ancient city of Salento. You will stop at a local vineyard in the countryside, for a pre-arranged wine-tour and tasting of local produce, before continuing onto this special coastal town. We especially love its rickety historic centre. Enjoy a waterfront seafood lunch, followed by a walk around the narrow, labyrinthine cobbled streets. You may feel like spending the afternoon drinking wine on the beach, before heading back to the buzz of Lecce for a delicious dinner.

Accommodation

Day 4 - Eat well

Given that you’re staying in the capital of southern Italian cooking, it would be rude not to give if a go yourself! Try our interactive Apulia cooking-class for a hands-on experience which takes around 2 hours, in which time you’ll learn how to make delicious traditional pasta dishes, followed by a gorgeous lunch. People watching is a popular past-time here. Find a front row seat, grab a typical iced almond-coffee (a.k.a. caffè in ghiaccio con latte di mandorla) and ice-cream, and watch local life unfold about you. This is the perfect city for the strolling traveller who enjoy a slow travel! Don’t forget, it’s normal to have a siesta here, so that you are recharged and ready to explore the buzzing streets by night.

Accommodation

Day 5 - You'll be back!

After breakfast at your hotel this morning, you will return to Brindisi airport for your return flight home, with your mind full of mini-break memories!

What's included?

What's Included:
  • Prices start from £620 per person (based on 2 adults sharing a DBL room)
  • Accommodation B&B board
  • Excursions and activities as mentioned above
  • All trips are ATOL protected or ABTA bonded to ensure you are fully covered
  • Please note that this price does not include transport such as flights, car hire, trains, transfers (unless stated) and any extra meals unless specified in the itinerary.
 Make a booking

Book a short-break to the ‘Florence of the South’, otherwise known as Lecce. But shhh, it’s still somewhat of a southern secret.

Famed for its baroque extravagance and sumptuous architecture, this is Puglia’s most dazzling city. Home to hearty food and bold reds, plus buzzing nightlife and just a stone’s throw from beautiful sandy beaches and picturesque, fortified towns. You could say that Lecce has it all! So, if you’re looking for a few days to escape to Italy, then this historic centre with all of its hidden gems and varied landscape, is not to be missed. Experience it now, before everyone else does! Lecce is well connected by a high-speed train, so for a short-break it is perfectly possible to avoid hiring a car.

Piedmont, Italy
Piedmont, a region of Italy bordering France and Switzerland, sits at the foot of the Alps. It’s known for sophisticated cuisine and wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco.
Alba, Piedmont
Alba is a town and comune of Piedmont, Italy, in the province of Cuneo. It is considered the capital of the UNESCO Human Heritage hilly area of Langhe, and is famous for its white truffle, peach and wine production.
Turin Airport
The drive from Turin Airport to Alba, takes a little over an hour and relatively scenic route. We can either arrange car hire at the airport or a private transfer.
Milan–Malpensa Airport
Milan–Malpensa Airport is the largest international airport for the Milan metropolitan area in northern Italy. The drive from Milan Malpensa airport to Alba, takes just under two hours. There are regular flights from the UK with a number of budget airlines.
Milan Bergamo Airport
Milan Bergamo airport offers another option in the area, with regular flights departing from London with Ryan Air. More
Milan Linate Airport
Milan Linate Airport is the secondary international airport of Milan, the second-largest city of Italy, behind Malpensa Airport. It takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to drive from Linate airport to Alba. We reccomend you flights to this airport with Easy Jet and British Airways. More
Villa d'Amelia
A C19th converted farmhouse, with affable staff, Michelin-starred food and laid-back atmosphere Located in Piedmont's wine producing region and a Fleewinter go-to option! More
La Villa Hotel
This impeccably restored C17th B&B boasts beautiful gardens and pool, a wonderfully seasonal restaurant "La Vie" and exceptional hospitality from Chris, Nicola and their team. A perfect off-the-beaten-track spot to unwind and enjoy all that the Langhe has to offer. More
Tenuta Bricchi
An incredibly unique B&B nestled in 11-hectares of hazelnuts groves and vineyards. This small, family-run farmhouse, with its indoor heated pool and all the little luxuries that the hosts Danilo and Sara offer, is certainly the place from which to explore the Langhe region year-round. More
Corte Gondina
Hidden behind a humble doorway in the heart of La Morra, you will find this beautifully restored guesthouse, with sprawling gardens and peaceful pool area. La Morra is home to several superb restaurants, making Corte Gondina a perfect base for culinary delights and ample exploration! More
Palazzo Finati
A small B&B, conveniently nestled in the heart of the popular Alba, Palazzo Finati is a wonderful option for those looking to explore the rich art and culture of the region. About a 10-minute walk from the train station, this 9-bedroom B&B ensures a hassle-free stay. More
Nice Airport
Flying into Nice airport is a good option for those wanting to explore the Ligurian coastline...
Genoa Aiport
Genoa airport is a good option for those wanting to exploring parts of Piedmont and Liguria.
Brindisi Airport
The most convenient airport for those wanting to explore the southern Salento region of Puglia. With frequent direct flights from the UK.
Bari airport
Bari airport is a great option for those wanting to explore Puglia, with frequent, direct flights from the UK.
Lecce
This baroque splendour of a city, pack a real punch! Otherwise know as 'the Florence of the South'...
Monopoli
A pretty seaside town on the Adriatic coast.
Ostuni
A famous white-washed walled city on Puglia's dazzling coastline.
Otranto
A picturesque historic town with plenty of bars and restaurants.
Alberobello
An iconic Puglian town know for its trulli, whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs.
Fasano
A town in the province of Brindisi.
Gallipoli
An ancient island city in the southern part of Puglia.
Oria
A medieval hilltop town, offering visitors a unique view.
Gargano National Park
Occupying more than 120,000 hectares, the Gargano National Park is as beautiful as it is fascinating with its ancient forests and islands bathed in crystal-clear waters.
It is a sub-peninsula of the Italian Peninsula, sometimes described as the "heel" of the Italian "boot".
Polignano a mare
Overlooking the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea, little Polignano a Mare is home to some of Puglia's loveliest beaches.
Santa Maria di Leuca
Santa Maria di Leuca is famous for its iconic lighthouse and stunning coastline.
Umbria
This lush and rugged part of Italy is known for its medieval hill towns, dense forests and local cuisine, particularly foraged truffles and wines.
Tuscany
Quintessential romantic Italy; rolling vineyards, olive groves, medieval villages and hamlets and grand cities.
Lazio
Lazio is a central Italian region bordering the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its principal city, Rome, is Italy’s capital and was at the heart of the ancient Roman Empire.
Bologna
Home to the oldest university in Europe and a thriving food and wine scene, Bologna is a characterful and fascinating city to explore.
Modena
Perhaps best known for its 'Black Gold' (Balsamic Vinegar of Modena), Modena also offers pretty pastel-coloured streets, fantastic restaurants and the 'motor valley' (home to super cars including Ferrari and Lamborghini).
Parma
Along with parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano, the charming city of Parma is also well known for its exciting arts and music scene and striking historic architecture.
Forlimpopoli
This lovely little town is an important part of the region's food heritage. Casa Artusi is a wonderful cookery school offering various classes and courses, and the annual Festa Artusiana is a must-see!
Emilia-Romagna
Home to the 'food and motor valley', this beautiful region stretches from the Adriatic sea up through peaceful countryside and rolling hills, with Bologna as its lively capital city.
Liguria
The 'Italian Riviera' is a narrow crescent-shaped region hugging the coast to the north-west of Italy. The port city of Genoa is its capital, whose medieval centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Genoa
Genoa, the historical capital city of Liguria, is the largest historical centre in Europe. Its painted palaces on Via Garibaldi date back to the 15th Century.
Borgomaro
Borgomaro is the main town at the bottom of the Maro valley, in the north-west region of Liguria. The mountain setting and surrounding landscape is a must for keen hikers.
Sestri Levante
The pretty coastal town consists of two bays, named Bay of Silence and Bay of Fairy Tales (so named after writer Hans Christian Andersen).
Portofino
Glitzy Portofino has a slightly more exclusive feel then some of the region's other more rustic neighbours. High-end boutiques and seafood restaurants overlook the harbour.
Santa Margherita
Portofino's next door neighbour, this pretty fishing village is a great spot for hiking as well as relaxing by the sea.
Bologna Airport (BLQ)
Journey in to Bologna city from the airport in under 30 minutes.
Genoa Airport (GOA)
Located more or less in the centre of the region, the beautiful towns and villages of Liguria can be reached in less than 2 hours from Genoa airport.
Alassio
A bustling colourful coastal town with wonderful scenic views.

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