Slow Food & Wine Road Trip in Puglia from Zurich

Puglia, Italy · 10 days, 9 nights · Adult food lovers, slow travel, wine & local cuisine focus · Mid-range (€250/day on the ground, flights extra) budget

Day 1 — Arrival in Lecce · Baroque Welcome & Aperitivo

Centro Storico, Lecce, Italy · Mon, 21 Sep 2026

Lecce

  • 15:00 — 🏛️ Museo Faggiano exploration — Centro Storico, Lecce. Discover Museo Faggiano's unique archaeological layers revealing Lecce's history through an intriguing maze under a private home, a captivating cultural step to start your trip.
  • 18:30 — 🍷 Baroque aperitivo at Piazza Duomo — Piazza Duomo, Lecce. Enjoy a relaxed aperitivo with local wines amid Lecce’s luminous Baroque cathedral square — a perfect introduction to Puglia’s vibrant atmosphere and architecture.
  • 20:30 — 🍽️ Dinner at La Cucina di Mamma Elvira — Centro Storico, Lecce. Sample authentic Puglian recipes at this warmly regarded trattoria, known for handmade pastas and local olive oils — a fitting culinary welcome evening.

Day 2 — Markets, Pastas & Baroque Streets

Centro Storico, Lecce, Italy · Tue, 22 Sep 2026

Lecce

  • 09:00 — 🛍️ Visit to Mercato di Lecce — Centro Storico. Spend your morning among vibrant stalls brimming with fresh vegetables, regional cheeses, and artisanal breads, perfect for connecting with local flavours and producers.
  • 14:00 — 🍝 Pasta workshop at Osteria degli Spiriti — Centro Storico, Lecce. Learn to make traditional Puglian pastas like orecchiette and cavatelli paired with olive oil tastings in an engaging, hands-on cooking class.
  • 18:30 — 🏛️ Evening walk & Basilica di Santa Croce visit — Centro Storico. Enjoy a gentle stroll through Lecce’s Baroque streets ending at the illuminated Basilica di Santa Croce, a masterpiece of southern Italian craftsmanship.

Day 3 — Vineyards of Copertino & Salento Wines

Wine estates, Copertino, Italy · Wed, 23 Sep 2026

Copertino

  • 10:00 — 🍇 Tour & Tasting at Agricole Vallone — Copertino Wine Estate. Explore the vineyards of Agricole Vallone with a guided tour, sampling rich Negroamaro and Primitivo wines. Learn about local grape growing and traditional winemaking in Salento’s terroir.
  • 13:00 — 🥗 Lunch at Osteria del Tempo Perso — Copertino Town Centre. Enjoy rustic Salento dishes made from seasonal ingredients paired with local wines. The relaxed pace lets you savour orecchiette pasta and fresh, local vegetables in a charming setting.
  • 16:30 — 🍷 Visit Cantine Menhir Salento — Cantine Menhir, Guagnano. Discover biodynamic wines on a gentle estate walk followed by tasting Menhir samples known for their mineral character. Vineyard views and expert insight complete the visit.

Day 4 — Seaside Gallipoli · Fresh Catch & Sunset Strolls

Centro Storico, Gallipoli, Italy · Thu, 24 Sep 2026

Gallipoli

  • 9:00 — 🛍️ Fresh Market Visit at Gallipoli Fish Market — Centro Storico, Gallipoli. Experience the lively early morning market where local fishermen sell the day’s fresh catch. Engage with vendors and sample small bites of seafood delicacies.
  • 12:30 — 🍴 Seafood Lunch at La Puritate — Old Town Gallipoli. Dine on freshly prepared fish and shellfish, including signature mixed seafood platters paired with local white wines. Charming historic location near the harbor.
  • 18:30 — 🌅 Sunset Walk along Gallipoli Seafront — Lungomare Galileo Galilei. A gentle stroll along the scenic waterfront promenade offers stunning sunset views over the Ionian Sea, ideal for relaxing after dinner and people-watching.

Day 5 — Nardò Market & Beaches of Porto Cesareo

Centro Storico, Nardò, Italy · Fri, 25 Sep 2026

Nardò & Porto Cesareo

  • 9:00 AM — 🛍️ Nardò Saturday Market exploration — Piazza Salandra, Nardò. Stroll through Nardò’s lively Saturday market, sampling fresh local produce, cheeses, and cured meats, with friendly vendors sharing stories about their artisanal products.
  • 2:30 PM — 🍷 Wine tasting at Masseria Li Veli — Masseria Li Veli, Nardò. Relax in a charming vineyard estate just outside Nardò, sampling organic Salento wines paired with local cheeses and olive oil tastings in serene countryside.
  • 5:30 PM — 🏖️ Sunset at Torre Lapillo Beach, Porto Cesareo — Torre Lapillo, Porto Cesareo. Enjoy a leisurely walk on the white sandy beach with crystal-clear turquoise waters, perfect for gentle seaside strolls and a picturesque sunset over the Ionian Sea.

Day 6 — Whitewashed Ostuni & Olive Groves

Centro Storico, Ostuni, Italy · Sat, 26 Sep 2026

Ostuni

  • 10:00 AM — 🌿 Guided Olive Grove Walk & Tasting — Masseria Brancati, near Ostuni. Explore centuries-old olive groves with an expert guide, learning about traditional harvesting methods followed by tasting of premium oils and rustic bread.
  • 1:30 PM — 🏛️ Ostuni Historic Centre Wander — Centro Storico, Ostuni. Wander the whitewashed alleys, admire Baroque churches and panoramic views from city walls, absorbing the relaxed charm and coastal breeze.
  • 7:30 PM — 🍝 Dinner at Osteria Piazzetta Cattedrale — Piazza della Cattedrale, Ostuni. Dine on homemade pasta and creative interpretations of Apulian classics in this intimate, atmospheric spot overlooking the cathedral square.

Day 7 — Trulli Towns & Valle d’Itria Wines

Valle d'Itria, Cisternino, Italy · Sun, 27 Sep 2026

Cisternino & Locorotondo

  • 9:00 AM — 🍅 Cisternino Market Visit — Cisternino town center. Explore the vibrant Sunday market in Cisternino, sampling fresh local produce and chatting with friendly vendors. Taste seasonal fruits and regional specialties in a lively, authentic atmosphere.
  • 2:00 PM — 🍷 Valle d’Itria Vineyard Tour & Tasting — Masseria Torricella, near Locorotondo. Enjoy a guided tour through the vineyards and cellars, learning about native grape varieties. Savor select wines paired with local cheeses under shaded terraces in a peaceful setting.
  • 7:30 PM — 🥘 Dinner at Ristorante Vittorio — Cisternino historic center. Dine on regional classics like bombette and orecchiette pasta in a rustic yet refined setting. The attentive service complements the menu focused on local, fresh ingredients.

Day 8 — Alberobello Trulli & Martina Franca Delicacies

Centro Storico, Alberobello, Italy · Mon, 28 Sep 2026

Alberobello & Martina Franca

  • 10:00 AM — 🏛️ Guided Walking Tour of Alberobello Trulli — Alberobello town center. Stroll the UNESCO-listed trulli district with an expert guide who explains the history and architecture of these iconic limestone dwellings.
  • 1:00 PM — 🍷 Martina Franca Wine Estate Visit — Cantine due Palme, Martina Franca. Visit one of Puglia’s acclaimed wineries, sampling primitivo and other reds paired with light local appetizers in a relaxed setting.
  • 7:30 PM — 🥗 Dinner at Osteria Del Tempo Perso — Martina Franca historic center. Enjoy a refined meal focused on traditional Pugliese recipes with contemporary twists, appreciated for both the food and elegant atmosphere.

Day 9 — Cliffside Dining in Polignano a Mare

Centro Storico, Polignano a Mare, Italy · Tue, 29 Sep 2026

Polignano a Mare

  • 9:00 AM — 🍅 Polignano Food Market Exploration — Centro Storico, Polignano a Mare. Discover local fresh produce and street food at Polignano's daily market, sampling regional cheeses, olives, and the famous preserves of Puglia. A perfect start for food lovers eager to taste authentic ingredients.
  • 2:00 PM — 🍷 Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting at Tenuta Monacelli — Conversano, near Polignano a Mare. Visit Tenuta Monacelli estate to savour locally produced wines, including Negroamaro and Primitivo, paired with traditional snacks. The scenic vineyard setting invites relaxed sampling with expert guidance.
  • 7:30 PM — 🌅 Dinner at Pescaria — Centro Storico, Polignano a Mare. Enjoy creative seafood dishes with a modern twist overlooking the cliffs, featuring fresh catches and house-special sandwiches. Pescaria is beloved for its vibrant atmosphere and innovative menu.

Day 10 — Departure from Bari · Pre-flight Stroll

Centro Storico, Bari, Italy · Wed, 30 Sep 2026

Bari

  • 9:30 AM — 🏛️ Basilica di San Nicola Visit — Centro Storico, Bari. Tour the magnificent 11th-century basilica housing the relics of Saint Nicholas, a key pilgrimage site with remarkable Romanesque architecture and rich history.
  • 11:30 AM — ☕ Coffeebreak at Caffè Vergnano 1882 — Via Sparano, Bari. Relax with an authentic Italian espresso and pastry in this elegant, historic cafe located on Bari's main shopping street, a great spot to watch local life.
  • 1:00 PM — 🚶‍♂️ Stroll along Lungomare Nazario Sauro — Bari Waterfront. Leisurely walk along Bari's scenic seafront promenade, offering refreshing sea views, outdoor sculptures, and pleasant greenery before driving to the airport.