Puglia 7 day vacation

Planet

Our custom-designed journeys prioritize train travel, offering a seamless, scenic, and sustainable way to explore each destination. High-speed rail efficiently connects major cities, while shorter routes make for perfect day excursions from urban hubs. We intentionally avoid car rentals where excellent rail service is available, reserving flights only for islands or routes that exceed six hours by train.

Within cities, we discourage driving altogether and instead provide travelers with resources for local transit and walkable routes that foster deeper cultural immersion. Train travel is not just transportation—it’s an integral part of the experience.

Each itinerary includes carefully curated dining recommendations featuring vegetarian, vegan, and vegetarian-friendly options, as well as authentic local cuisine. When meals are included with an activity, plant-based options are always available. For food enthusiasts, we design enriching culinary experiences, including guided tastings, farm-to-table dining, and private visits with regional producers.

We are proud to support Rewilding Italy, part of Rewilding Europe, an organization dedicated to restoring nature and wildlife and conserving wild landscapes through natural processes for the benefit of society. The Central Apennines is a landscape that has undergone rewilding initiatives.

We are also committed partners of TAP (Travelers Against Plastic), reinforcing our mission to promote sustainable and responsible travel.

People

All of our activity partners are locally owned, independent businesses. We work exclusively with guides and providers who specialize in creating intimate, authentic experiences deeply rooted in their communities.

In some regions, we also partner with small, family-run transportation companies—often just a handful of trusted drivers we know personally—ensuring that you’re supported by local experts at every stage of your journey.

Your trip begins in Bari, where walking through Bari Vecchia, visiting the Norman-Swabian Castle, and meeting local cooks in family kitchens supports small food producers and artisans. Tasting orecchiette, focaccia, and panzerotti made by long-standing neighborhood businesses offers a direct connection to Bari’s culinary traditions.

In Alberobello, exploring the trulli district on foot with a local guide and choosing low-impact transport to reach nearby olive groves helps preserve this UNESCO-listed landscape. A cooking demonstration in a private trullo supports families who maintain these traditional stone dwellings.

Traveling on to Ostuni, wandering the Old Town, visiting the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and spending time at local beaches or at Masseria Brancati supports coastal communities and farmers who care for ancient olive trees. Enjoying handmade orecchiette or taralli at a neighborhood osteria keeps your experience rooted in local culture.

A visit to a countryside masseria offers insight into sustainable olive oil production, from harvesting to cold-pressing. Tasting oils and sharing a farm-prepared meal helps sustain rural families who rely on responsible tourism to protect their land and traditions.

In Lecce, exploring Piazza Duomo, the Basilica of the Holy Cross, and the Roman Amphitheater with a local guide supports the city’s artistic community. Sampling rustico leccese and pasticciotto from small cafés contributes to everyday businesses that define Lecce’s food culture.

Your final day in Otranto includes a guided walk through the historic center and a visit to Orte Bay and the Bauxite Caves, supporting local guides who help protect these natural sites.

As you travel to Brindisi or Bari Airport, you leave with a deeper appreciation for the communities, landscapes, and traditions that make Puglia unique.