Puglia: Cultural Immersion Excursion in the heel of Italy
Join Testimony Wine Owners on a journey through a region of beauty, wine, food, and adventure.
Wine, food, cooking classes, walking tours, bike rides, and more
March 27,2026 – April 7, 2026
11 Days / 10 Nights
10 nights four-star resorts, wine tasting, 8 lunches and dinners (some wine-paired), Michelin-rated restaurants, two half-day easy bike tours (one is optional) through the countryside, walking tours in 4 ancient villages, cooking class, two wine tastings, tour and olive oil tasting, more.
Please read all the details below on the Details/Itinerary page AND the linked Puglia Logistics page for all details about all aspects of the tours.
Contact Morningstar See-Ski-Savor Tours directly at
[email protected] or call us
(520) 405-5508.
We love chatting about our Puglia trip!
from $3,185
ONE room left as of mid-Oct
This tour is sold out. However, we are doing identical tour with another group of friends immediately after this tour. 1 room left on that tour.
FIRST DEPOSIT upon sign-up.
$500 per person
Do NOT buy air or insurance until the minimum participation level has been reached and the go-ahead has been given by us.
Trip Group Size Requirements
-
Price is based on 25 paying participants.
-
Trip will proceed with a minimum of 21.
-
A surcharge applies if the group has 21–24 participants (see Logistics Page for details). The group cannot exceed 32 total participants.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: The two main hotels (Masseria Pitti and Masseria Cervarolo) with 4-night stays have many different room types and upgrades. There are not two rooms that are alike. You MUST go to the Logistics page linked below and decide what you would like to reserve. Keep in mind that if you are seeking rooms with two separate beds, only certain room types can accommodate that. If questions arise while deciding, email us. We are very familiar with the properties, and we can steer you in the right direction according to your needs and desires.
-
We have a new partner for this tour and we are excited to welcome the friends of Kari and Michael, owners of Testimony Wine Bar in Redmond, Oregon!
And Kendra, Kari’s mom, an energy ball and lover of all things travel will come along as well!
The Testamony people love their wine club members. They love food, wine, and adventurer. They love Italy.
So do we at Morningstar.
A perfect match.
For over 35 years, Morningstar has been crafting unforgettable group tours—and we love every minute of it! Our greatest joy is sharing extraordinary destinations with wonderful friends, both new and old. And for us, there’s only one way to do it: experiencing every tour firsthand along with everyone. After all, what would be the point otherwise?
This will be our 7th tour to Puglia—a place that has completely captured our hearts. With its warm, welcoming people, uniquely delicious food and wine, breathtaking hilltop villages, and a history that unfolds at every turn, Puglia is pure magic. Framed by shimmering seas on both sides, the atmosphere here is simply enchanting.
We LOVE our friends in Puglia. The hoteliers feel like family, embracing our guests with that signature Italian warmth that makes you feel instantly at home. Every time we return, it’s like stepping 20 years back in time—where life moves at a slower, more authentic pace.
Think of it as Tuscany without the tourists—at half the cost!
Come experience the charm, the flavors, and the friendships that keep bringing us back, time and time again. We can’t wait to introduce you to the Puglia we adore
This is Puglia
Join Dan and Deb in one of their favorite places in Italy for their 7th eleven-day visit to this little-known spectacular region.
Bonus: Puglia (poo lee ah) is small and we will never have a drive longer than one hour and a half during the entire journey.
Puglia is a breath of fresh air… something completely unexpected… a balm for the spirit…a respite from the crowds …a break from the touristic… a rabbit hole which transports you back 30 years. Puglia is the heel of Italy. For those fortunate enough to visit, it connects to simpler times and a natural landscape that is increasingly difficult to find. No hype, no hordes of tourists… just natural wonders, great wine and food, and fascinating history.
See below for the many exciting details of this Puglia journey. Take the time to read the descriptions of the itinerary. Be sure to look at the numerous linked photo galleries. If you do, you will understand our enthusiasm for this region Italy’s heel.
If you want to experience how Italy used to be, join us on our wine and food tasting journey through Puglia. It will be a journey you will never forget.
Included in this outstanding travel value:
AIR
LEAVE USA March 27, 2026. The nearest major airport to Bari is Rome FCO. Of course, you can route your air thru other cities, as you chose. But no matter, you MUST arrive into Bari, Italy on March 28, 2026, for your first hotel night of the tour. If you would like to arrive a day or two earlier to shake off the jet lag and recharge, we can arrange extra hotel nights at our 5-star luxury Bari hotel, upon request. You fly out of Bari any time on April 7, 2026. The LAST HOTEL NIGHT of the tour is April 6 in Bari.
NOTE: If you are flying into Rome, you can book 55 minute flights from FCO to Bari airport. CAVEAT/ WARNING: Make sure to get a flight that is non-stop! Otherwise, what should take an hour can take five hours. Plan carefully and accordingly. Further, there is a 3.5 hour train ride from Rome to Bari as well. Organinzing all your air to/from Bari is each participant’s responsibility. Please: pay attention to all the details and make sure your flights are on correct dates and that your flights mesh with each other.
Day by Day Itinerary with ALL the details below
Day one: arrive in Bari
Arrive in Bari March 28, 2026, after your overnight flight from USA (you leave USA on March 27) and check into your hotel. The Hotel Excelsior is a 4-star property near the lovely pedestrian shopping area.
DAY TWO March 29, 2026
Monopoli
On our way to Masseria Cervarolo we will stop for a half-day visit at the ancient port town of Monopoli where you will have free time to wander around this charming seaside village.
Option: Excellent wine-paired lunch at Piazza Palmieri Restaurante. Spectacular!
Palmieri offers the best warm seafood appetizer we ever had along with excellent main courses.
Menu:
Hot seafood appetizer
Seafood first course
1 glass of white wine
1 glass of red
Water and coffee
Of course, substitutes possible. $49
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
March 29 afternoon: Arrival at Masseria Cervarolo This property is an old farm/fortress that has been beautifully restored. Many of the rooms are trullis! Replete with a beautiful pool area and a Michelin-rated restaurant, Cervarolo is perfectly located and within short driving distances of all the sites we will visit.
Afternoon Option: Wine tasting with Teresa, a local sommelier, right at beautiful Cervarolo! We will do this @5:30ish. $25
DAY THREE March 30
Locorotondo / Optional AM bike ride
Spend a morning exploring the ancient town of Locorotondo on your own. A wine-paired lunch overlooking a beautiful vista will be served in Locorotondo for everyone.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY – 4 hour guided ride thru countryside: For active, adept bike riders, we are offering a half-day bike ride thru the countryside in place of the city visits. If you love biking, DO NOT MISS THIS. It is worth every penny. The ride will end at Locorotondo where we will meet the rest of the non-biking group and have the same lunch as described.
COST: $145 includes transportation to starting point of ride, bike (electric-assist bike), and guides. This must be signed up for by time of final payment at end of January. The fee will be added to your final invoice. We need a minimum of 10 riders.
Afternoon cooking class at Masseria Cerverola.
Our dinner this night will be a 4-course, wine-paired, led by local sommelier Teresa.
March 30: cooking class at Masseria Cerverola. First, a Puglian cooking class in the late afternoon. A 4-course wine-paired dinner at the Cervarolo’s Michilen-rated restaurant follows, both included in your tour events. Bonus: A local som will be there during the entire meal to share notes about each wine! As with our other masserias, we will be the only guests in the hotel…all ours.
DAY FOUR March 31
Lecce
Lecce is one of the best-preserved baroque cities in the world. Two-hour-walking tour followed by free time and lunch on your own.
Depart Lecce and return home to Cervarolo for some late-afternoon free time to relax and enjoy Cervarolo.
DAY FIVE April 1
Easy Bike ride through countryside
Bike ride through countryside
Optional: Ride to the Sea! Half-day electric-assist bike ride, Parco della Dune Costiere. The ride takes us through the Ostuni countryside with panoramas of the Adriatic coast and the Puglian landscape. Cost is $145 for e-bike and guides. We will join the non-riders and carry on to the hilltop village of Martina Franca. There you will have several hours for exploring and lunch on your own. Following will be our scheduled olive oil tasting.
OR
Leave mid-morning to arrive at Torre Canne, the seaside end point of the bike ride. An hour of free time before meeting up with the bike riders and proceeding on to the hilltop town of Martina Franca. You will have several hours for exploring and lunch on your own. Following will be our scheduled olive oil tasting.
DAY SIX April 2
Alberobello, the city of Trullos
Alberobello, the city of Trullis
Alberobello, a Unesco site. Upon arrival in the morning, we will explore the village with our local guides in Alberobello. Then free time to wander, shop, and have a lunch on your own.
After Alberobello, it is on to Alta Mura and our next masseria experience: Masseria Pitti, a farm/fortress from the 1700s. Olive oil and wine was produced in caves under the property.
Part of the group will be at Masseria Pitti. There are only 15 rooms available at Pitti, first-come / first-serve basis. Those not upgrading will be at the 4-star Hotel San Nicola in nearby Altamura.
Both properties are 10 minutes apart. The package includes the 4-star Hotel San Nicola in Altamura. The Pitti upgrade prices are on logistics page. Three of the included wine-paired dinners will be at the Pitti with the fourth being a 3-hour walking dinner tour in Altamura. Everyone will participate in all the Pitti activities, including the dinners. Our charter bus will provide the short rides needed between properties. Best of all: we will be the only people in the Pitti…all ours.
DAY SEVEN April 3
Gravina
We arrive in the morning for a unique walking tour of this historic village, with underground olive oil and wine making facilities that date back many centuries.
Then: Time for an amazing wine-paired lunch at one of our fav Puglian restaurants! Deb and Dan discovered Mamma Mia’s restaurant overlooking the ruins of Gravina and it was one of the best meals we had on our trip. Puglia is known for its truffles and Mamma Mia’s makes a memorable truffle-based pasta you will savor and enjoy. Not a truffle fan? A substitute main is available. This will be a two-hour extravaganza replete with appetizers, main pasta, desserts, and of course a LOT of wine! Tellin ya: You are patzo (crazy!) if you don’t do this lunch!
ps: Did we mention that this place has one of the most amazing views anywhere!
Cost: $49
DAY EIGHT April 4
Free day with optional add-ons
Option 1 Day-long bike ride though Alta Murgia National Park ( UNESCO Global Geopark) with e-bikes and guides. Lunch included. $165
Option 2 Visit the historic 600-year-old Antico Forno Santa Chiara bakery in Alta Mura, famous for its Alta Mura bread. Visit a family run cheese factory famous for burrata. Price t.b.a.
Option 3 Spend the day on your own exploring the charming village of Alta Mura. Note: Those staying at the Pitti will have transport in the morning to Alta Mura with return on own via taxi.
DAY NINE April 5
Matera
Get ready to be stunned. Matera, an ancient hilltop town that features 2,000-year-old cave homes under the modern city, will be our tour for the day. Free time to explore and have lunch.
Last group Dinner: Mattia, son of one of the owners of Pitti will guide us on a 3-hour walking dinner tour in Alta Mura. Prepare to eat more than you thought possible.
DAY TEN April 6
We leave the Pitti and San Nicola hotels to return to Bari, arriving there mid-morning. You are free to enjoy Bari on your own. There are many shops, restaurants, and views to enjoy You arrange via hotel desk taxi rides for you flight home on the following day, April 18.
OPTIONAL: UPGRADE HOTEL On our last journey to Puglia, Deb and I discovered a uber-modern gorgeous 4-star hotel a few-minutes-walk to the sea and the old port of Bari. We loved the Dilman hotel so much we are offering it as an upgrade option for this last night. We highly recommend choosing this optional property. The included Excelsior is the same hotel you started your journey in Bari. The Dilman is a step up in luxury and location and is worth the small upgrade fee. See room choices on Logistics page.
Summary of Optional Activities
All activities must be signed up for before final payment.
Day 2: Three-course wine-paired lunch in Monopoly $47
Day 2: Optional wine tasting of local wines led by our local som-friend, Teresa. A delicious education! $25
Day 3: Ride thru Aquaduct park to Locorotondo bike ride: $145 for transport to starting point, electric-assist bikes, guides
Day 5: Optional ride through the countryside passing thru ancient olive groves and fields of wildflowers, ending at the sea. $145 for transport to starting point, electric-assist bikes, guides
Day 7: Wine-paired lunch at Mamma Mia in Gravina $45
Day 8 All-day bike ride in the countryside around Pitti/ Alta Mura: $165 for transport to starting point, electric-assist bikes, guides, lunch included
Summary of Optional Activities
All activities must be signed up for before final payment.
Day 2: Three-course wine-paired lunch in Monopoly $49
Day 2: Optional wine tasting of local wines led by our local som-friend, Teresa. A delicious education! $25
Day 3: Ride thru Aquaduct park to Locorotondo bike ride: $145 for transport to starting point, electric-assist bikes, guides
Day 5: Optional ride through the countryside passing thru ancient olive groves and fields of wildflowers, ending at the sea. $145 for transport to starting point, electric-assist bikes, guides
Day 7: Wine-paired lunch at Mamma Mia in Gravina. $49
Day 8 All-day bike ride in the countryside around Pitti/ Alta Mura: $165 for transport to starting point, electric-assist bikes, guides, lunch included
Testimonials
FROM PAST PUGLIA CLIENTS
Had an amazing trip to Puglia Italy with Dan and Deb. Our hotels/Masserias were so amazing as was everything about the trip! Dave and I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting an experience of a lifetime in Southern Italy!
This tour of the Puglia region is fantastic. From the great food and wine (not to mention great prices), to the beautiful accommodations and breathtaking countryside, I can say this tour is one not to miss. The planning and attention to detail by Dan and Deb is great! The daily schedule is well thought out including plenty of time for relaxing lunches and shopping. Every town and city was unique from each other, packed with its own history and beauty. Falling in love with this region is guaranteed, there’s not a thing not to like. You will also enjoy the hosts, Dan and Deb. Lots of fun and laughter are always included.
Puglia with Dan and Deb is truly amazing! They do a wonderful job of planning. Everything was covered! When any issue arose they were quick to address. And of course they made sure we had plenty of wine! Puglia was the best! The people are very welcoming, food first class and plentiful, sites beautiful…could not ask for more!