Authentic Apulia: culture, flavors, sea, and villages

Arrival at Bari or Brindisi by flight (not included in the package). Upon arrival at the airport, pick up your rental car and reach the Ecoluxury Retreat Borgo Mulino a Vento, in the heart of Salento.

Check in at the hotel and enjoy some free time to explore the resort’s facilities. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, we recommend heading to nearby Otranto for a free visit of this enchanting Adriatic town, wandering through picturesque alleys and panoramic viewpoints.

Stroll at your own pace along ancient walls, admiring the Cathedral with its famous mosaic floor, medieval towers, and the charming harbour. Lively squares, artisan shops, and local restaurants reveal the history, culture, and traditions of Salento.

In the afternoon, return to your retreat for a visit to the evocative underground oil mill “Mulino a Vento,” a rare site telling the story of Salento’s thriving rural economy. Olive crushing and oil production were powered by both animal traction, with mules and donkeys, and the wind, giving the mill its name. The guided tour immerses you in an authentic environment, showcasing traditional techniques that made local oil famous.

The experience concludes with a tasting of two fine local Extra Virgin Olive Oils, served both pure and with Pugliese bread made from local organic durum wheat, highlighting the aromatic notes and bold flavour of Salento’s olive oil.

Overnight stay.

Travel to Santa Maria di Leuca, the southernmost point of the region, and embark on a stunning boat tour to explore the many caves and coves that make the Salento coast unique.

Discover both the Adriatic and Ionian sides, each offering breathtaking scenery and fascinating sea caves. Highlights of the tour include Punta Ristola, Grotta del Diavolo, Grotta Mesciu Gianni, Grotta del Fiume, Grotta delle Tre Porte, Grotta dei Giganti, Grotta del Presepe, Grotta degli Innamorati, Grotta del Drago, Punta Meliso, the lighthouse of Santa Maria di Leuca, Grotta Terradico, Grotta Gabbiani, Grotta Verdusella, Grotta del Soffio (or Spruzzo), Grotta della Vora, and Grotta delle Mannute. Swimming stops in the crystal-clear waters make these moments truly unforgettable (itinerary subject to change due to sea conditions).

At the end of the tour, enjoy some time on a beach. Near Santa Maria di Leuca, we suggest Pescoluse Beach, often called the “Maldives of Salento,” with golden sands and turquoise waters. Its shallow seabed and gentle waves make it ideal for swimming and relaxation.

Return to your hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast, check out from your hotel.

Leave Borgo Mulino a Vento and head to Lecce, the capital of Salento, for a private guided tour of the city. Immerse yourself in the refined Baroque city, renowned for its architectural elegance and captivating monuments.

The tour begins in the historic centre, where ancient squares welcome visitors with a harmonious sequence of noble palaces and churches adorned with warm, golden Lecce stone. Accompanied by an expert guide, explore narrow streets and hidden courtyards, discovering intricately carved facades, finely decorated balconies, and the stories that make each corner unique.

The narration blends historical anecdotes and artistic curiosities, revealing connections to various cultural eras from Roman times to the Baroque period. Appreciate both major monuments, such as the Basilica of Santa Croce and Piazza del Duomo, and intimate corners, hidden courtyards, and artisan workshops that showcase the city’s vibrancy.

At the end of the tour, enjoy some free time before heading to Ecoluxury Retreat Ddò Relais di Puglia for overnight stay.

After breakfast, visit a traditional masseria to participate in a cheese-making workshop. Discover the secrets of artisanal cheese production in an authentic setting, guided step by step by master cheesemakers, learning the techniques for creating mozzarella and burrata. At the end of the workshop, enjoy a tasting of the freshly made products.

On the way back to the hotel, we suggest a stop in Martina Franca, with its Baroque splendour expressed in noble palaces and richly decorated churches. The Basilica of San Martino is a highlight, with its sculpted facade and majestic interior. Wrought-iron balconies, carved portals, and elegant stuccoes reflect the golden era of this refined city, set in the rolling hills of the Valle d’Itria.

Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Begin the day in Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its unique urban landscape. Walk with a local guide through the cobbled streets of Rione Monti and Aia Piccola, surrounded by hundreds of trulli, the iconic conical stone buildings of the Valle d’Itria. Each trullo tells an ancient story of rural tradition, architectural ingenuity, and popular spirituality, often seen in the mysterious symbols painted on the roofs. Explore interiors now transformed into artisan shops or small museums, feeling the living spirit of the past.

Continue to Polignano a Mare, perched on limestone cliffs over the Adriatic, where the sea has carved marine caves. The historic centre reveals centuries of history, with winding streets, ancient arches, and panoramic terraces overlooking the deep blue sea. Visit medieval churches such as Santa Maria Assunta and enjoy the famous “Caffè Speciale” unique to this town, and the iconic Lama Monachile beach, a cove between cliffs.

Then proceed to Monopoli, a short drive away. Its historic centre, built on ancient Messapian and Roman remains, preserves the charm of a fortified city, with walls, bastions, and the majestic Castello Carlo V overlooking the sea.

Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

In the morning, reach Ostuni, the famous White City, perched on three hills overlooking the Adriatic, surrounded by ancient olive groves and dry-stone walls. Experience Ostuni in a unique way aboard an Ape Calessino, the ideal vehicle to explore every corner of the medieval old town. Accompanied by an expert guide, you will discover historic monuments, squares, and charming alleys, with panoramic and photo stops along the way. Highlights include Piazza della Libertà, the statue of Saint Oronzo, the Cathedral, the Belvedere, Porta Nova, and the Ponte del Poveruomo. Thanks to its compact size, the Ape Calessino allows access to hidden viewpoints, offering an exclusive and unforgettable perspective of Ostuni. Time at leisure to further discover the city with your own pace.

In the evening, visit Cisternino, one of the most charming villages in the Valle d’Itria. Stroll through whitewashed courtyards and flowered balconies, experiencing the authentic rural soul of Puglia. Conclude the day at a traditional macelleria with braceria, tasting the famous bombette freshly cooked on the grill. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, reach Bari or Brindisi in time to return your rental car before your flight back home.