Spend an unforgettable week learning the secrets of adeeply passionate and undiscovered region of SouthernItaly. Puglia is the sun-drenched heel of the boot thatspans two seas, the Adriatic and the Ionian. Basilicata isits neighbor to the west. Both agricultural regions withabundant healthy soil, over 50 million olive trees and atradition of wine growing that has seen a fabulousdynamism in the last ten years, this area produces someof the most exciting wines in on the planet.

Culinary Adventures in Puglia & Basilicata with Lyndey Milan

30 Sept – 6 Oct 2020

Southern Visions Travel is the leading experiential travel company in Pugliawww.southernvisionstravel.com

LYNDEY MILAN OAM, a familiar face on television and in print,has been instrumental in changing the way Australians thinkabout food and wine for over 30 years via her own nine best-selling cookbooks, eight TV series and influence as former FoodDirector of the iconic Australian Women’s Weekly. She is anaward-winning multi-media presenter, MC, speaker, food &wine teacher, consultant, debater, judge and regionalAustralian specialist who makes numerous TV & culinaryappearances. She maintains her position at the forefront ofAustralian cuisine and has an ability to connect with allaudiences. She is also an experienced international tour hostwith experience across the Mediterranean from East to West,in Puglia, Japan and Australia. During her years as co-host ofFresh TV on the Nine Network, she hosted such visiting chefsas Jamie Oliver, Rick Stein and Gordon Ramsay. She travelsregularly, is a member of the Australian Society of TravelWriters and has an extensive knowledge of all Mediterraneanfood and wine.

Your lodging

Il Palazzotto Hotel (or similar)Il Palazzotto is located in the heart of "Sasso Barisano", ashort walk from the historic cathedral. Here you will find themost renowned restaurants and major stores. Il Palazzotto isone of the few hotels in the historic district of "Sassi" - henceits name - and is easily identified thanks to its beautifulprominent balcony. The property offers 10 exclusiveresidences, each one unique and each with its hundred-yearhistory and its incomparable originality. The lounge & winery,carved out of a spectacular rock, is at your complete disposalfor our typical Italian breakfast, relaxation and to taste thebest wines in the area.

Masseria Montenapoleone Masseria Montenapoleone, is a beautifully restored farmhouse in thevery heart of Puglia. What makes this place stand out from otherlodgings is how the owners have lovingly restored every detail tomaintain harmony with the original architecture and above all withnature. The estate produces extra virgin olive oil and boasts manyfruit trees and a garden brimming with vegetables. Guests areencouraged to explore the grounds and enjoy the abundance of fruits,flowers and vegetables grown and celebrated at the Masseria.Naturally breakfast each morning is made with produce from theestate and includes such delicious treats as house-made preserves andfreshly baked cakes. The rooms are individually decorated and featurewooden beams, original antique floors and country-style furnishings.www.masseriamontenapoleone.com/

Wednesday 30 Sept:Welcome to BasilicataMeet this afternoon in Matera and experience awalk through the Sassi with our local expert guide,who will bring this incredible city to life for you. Tokick our first evening in style we will meet for anaperitivo and a first welcome toasts to Basilicata andenjoy dinner at a local prize-winning Trattoria. Whata start!Lodging: Il Palazzotto (or similar)

Friday 2 Oct: Burrata & Trulli After checking-out of your lodging in Matera, weare off to discover the secrets of cheese-making inthe ancient traditions of Puglia. You will meet localcheese artisan Giorgio at his farm, where he willdemonstrate the art of making fresh burrata andlet you try twisting a knot of mozzarella or two!Next we will go in search of Puglia’s famous trullihouses. These cone shaped dwellings are unique tothe region and in the UNESCO World Heritage Siteof Alberobello you will see a concentration of over1,000 trulli houses. Our expert guide and localsuperstar will bring the history of this picturesquetown to life. After a delicious lunch in an authentictrulllo, it’s time for some serious relaxation at yournext hotel, the beautiful country retreat, MasseriaMontenapoleoneLodging: Masseria Montenapoleone

Thursday 1 Oct: The Bread & Sassi DayWe start with a visit to a bakery in Altamura for anin-depth look at the making of this extraordinaryDOP bread. Next we will stroll through thenorthern part of Basilicata to the east aroundRionero and up and down the slopes of the sleepyMt Vulture where the volcanic soil is premise forincredible wine results with this indigenous variety.We will meet a local wine maker who crafts thebest Aglianico based wines in the area for thesmallest producers for collection wines. We willhave a sumptuous lunch in the stunning cellar.Back in Matera tonight we will enjoy anunforgettable meal at a local restaurant.Lodging: Il Palazzotto (or similar)

Saturday 4 Oct:Salento Vineyards & Baroque LecceWe travel to Lecce, the capital of the SalentoProvince. Known as the ‘Florence of the South’, thecity hosts amazing Baroque masterpieces andtreasures of Italy. In Lecce you will embark on adedicated walking tour where our guide will revealthe secrets of the imposing architecture andmillennia of fascinating history revealed before yourvery eyes. Our guide will take you to visit one ofPuglia’s most renowned wineries - Li Veli. After afascinating tour with the vineyard’s expertoenologist, you will be treated to a private lunchand wine tasting over-looking the ageing barrels ofwine.Lodging: Masseria Montenapoleone

Tuesday 6 Oct: Arriverderci from PugliaAfter our final group breakfast, our team willshuttle you to Bari Airport and bid youarriverderci!

• A truly authentic wine and gastronomy experience• Enthusiastic, full-time tour hosting by Lyndey Milan• 6 nights lodging at 4 star hotels (standard rooms – upgrades available at a supplement)• Peace of mind knowing you are with the most professional travel and tour company in Puglia• Access to the up-and-coming vineyards and small local producers not usually open to the public • Walking tours of the region’s most characteristic towns with certified local guides• 6 special breakfasts• 6 memorable lunches• 6 extraordinary dinners • Guest shuttles and transfers• Accompaniment by Pugliese locals & guides

What’s Included

Monday 5 Oct:Fresh Fish & Gala FarewellEnjoy a morning at leisure at the masseria. Forlunch we’ll head to the coast where all the localsenjoy a indulgent lunch including some of thefreshest seafood on the planet. After lunch thereis the option to take a stroll through thebeautiful seaside towns on Monopoli orPolignano a Mare. The artisan gelato is not to bemissed! For our last evening, we’ll enjoy a galacelebration with local musicians and outstandingfood for an unforgettable night!Lodging: Masseria Montenapoleone

Pre & Post Tours

Want to maximise your time in Italy andin Europe? Book this fabulous trip withLyndey and we would be happy toarrange tailor-made travel experiencesin other parts of Italy and Europe foryou.

DAILY ACTVITIES INCLUDE:• An in-depth visit to the UNESCO site of Matera• Olive grove tour and oil tasting at an ancient olive oil estate• Visit to the Trullo Capital, UNESCO Heritage Site, Alberobello• Bread-making in Altamura at a DOP bakery• A hands-on cooking class with Lyndey• Insider’s look at burrata cheese making• Private lunch at Li Veli winery

AUS $5499 per personbased on double occupancy

Single supplement $799

Sunday 4 Oct: Olive Oil & Adventures in the Puglia KitchenToday experience another of Puglia’s mostimportant treasures: olive oil! We will meetCorrado at the renowned Masseria Brancati. Theolive mill on this ancient estate has been in use forthousands of years and provides a fascinatinginsight into olive oil production. We’ll walk thebeautiful grounds of the estate and of course enjoysome olive oil tasting. Then we visit the stunningWhite City of Ostuni, a labyrinth of white cobbledstone, more Greek than Italian. Back at themasseria this afternoon we will get busy in thekitchen with Lyndey to learn how to make the bestlocal dishes and then feast on results!Lodging: Masseria Montenapoleone