A TASTE OF PUGLIA

7-14 April 2011

FOLLOWING THE success of this year’s tour, we have put together another delightful and original gastronomic and cultural seven-day tour of Puglia. April is arguably the best time of year to visit the heel of Italy: the temperature is in the 70s, the markets are full of fresh produce and the wild flowers are at their peak.

Readers will not only be taken on guided tours of the beautiful towns of Lecce and Alberobello but they will also be given two wine tastings with Malcolm Gluck, two market trips (including the famous fish market at Mola di Bari), and visits to wine, olive oil and cheese producers. There will also be THREE cookery lessons with both local cooks and Elisabeth Luard at Il Trappeto (www olivemill.co.uk), a 17th-century olive mill just five minutes from Ostuni. These will be given in two groups of eight to make sure that everyone gets a chance to get their hands dirty. The lessons will ensure you can prepare your own four-course Pugliese dinner. Guests will stay at La Terra Hotel (www.laterrahotel.it), a restored convent in the medieval quarter of Ostuni (‘La Citta Bianca’).

The price includes seven nights’ 4-star accommodation, six lunches and six dinners, all with wine, (including five meals in specially chosen restaurants), airport transfers, all local transport, the lessons and tours.

Praise for last year’s tour: “12 out of 10...a magnificent time.... we felt part of an extended family...wholly original"

ITINERARY

Thursday 7th April

Welcome drinks and dinner in Ostuni

Dep London Gatwick 12.30 pm on BA flight 2590; arrive Bari 4.20 pm. Airport transfers to La Terra Hotel, Ostuni. Welcome drinks at the hotel, followed by dinner (including wine) at Osteria Tempo Perso in Ostuni.

Friday 8th April

First cookery lesson and wine tasting

Guests will be divided into two groups: one group will do a three-hour lesson on preparing Puglian dishes given by a local (with translator), while the other group will be given a guided tour of Ostuni. In the after- noon, the groups swap. 8 pm: Wine tasting at Il Trappeto with Mal- colm Gluck, followed by dinner at Il Trappeto.

Saturday 9th April

Elisabeth Luard’s tour of Ostuni market in the morning. Tour of Alberobello at 5 pm followed by dinner at Lido Bianco in Monopoli.

Sunday 10th April

Second cookery lesson

Divided into two groups for morning and afternoon sessions. Lunch and dinner at Il Trappeto with talk on Puglian food and culture.

Monday 11th April

Trip to Lecce and visit to a winery

Private tour of Li Velli winery followed by tour of Lecce. Dinner at Alle Due Corti in Lecce.

Tuesday 12th April

Cookery demonstration (puddings) and tour of fish market and Alberobello Trip to Mola di Bari to meet the fishermen and buy fresh fish for Wednesday’s class, followed by dinner at Masseria Il Frantoio (www.masseriailfrantoio.it), a gastronome’s paradise.

Wednesday 13th April

Third cookery lesson – seaside cookery

In two groups for morning and afternoon ses- sions. Drinks at Il Trappeto followed by farewell Basilica di Santa Croce, Lecce dinner (including dishes cooked in class).

Thursday 14th April

Visit to Soto olio shop and farewell lunch by the sea at Torre Santa Sabina British Airways flight departs Bari 5.05 pm and arrives 7 pm at Gatwick.

PRICE PER PERSON: £1,350 (single supp: £100)

Flights from Gatwick to Bari
As we are not an ATOL licence-holder we have to ask readers to book their own flights (£183 pp inc taxes at time of going to press). To book flights call 0844 493 0787 (opt 1) or go to www.ba.com

For further enquiries and bookings contact Claire Daly on 0207 436 8801 £500 deposit required; balance by 7 February. Post cheques (made payable to Oldie Publications Ltd) to The Oldie, 65 Newman St, London W1T 3EG.