Visiting Puglia with Magari Tours.

I was lucky enough to enjoy a taste of what Magari Tours has to offer in Puglia. Let me share the highlights with you.

We landed at Bari Airport, and everything just felt easy from the start. Tony, the General Manager of Margari Tours, was there to meet us and was super friendly and instantly made us feel at home. Before we knew it, we were on our way to the beautiful little coastal town of Monopoli.

We stopped for lunch at a cosy, traditional seafood spot, where it was all about fresh Adriatic flavours. It was one of those places that the normal tourist would probably walk right by. Plates of Seafood kept coming,s each one better than the last. A pretty great introduction to Puglia, to say the least.

After that, our driver took us through the countryside, past endless olive groves, to Alberobello. This would be our base for the next few nights. This small town is famous for its unique trulli houses with their cone-shaped rooftops. Alberobello feels a bit like stepping into another world. It’s a UNESCO-listed town packed with over 3,000 traditional trulli houses, all clustered together around little streets, churches, and squares. It’s got a real storybook feel to it.

We were then taken to our own Trullo. Staying in one isn’t just about having a place to sleep; it’s a chance to experience a piece of local history and craftsmanship up close. My Trullo had 2 bedrooms, a lounge, a kitchen, a dining room, a bathroom and an outside terrace. Trulli in Alberobello were built so people could take them apart and avoid tax. They are made from local stone and keep houses cool in summer and warm in winter.

In the evening, we headed to Trattoria Terra Madre, a lovely family-run restaurant in the village. Everything is grown locally or in their own garden and turned into amazing food.

Breakfast was served the following morning at the Trattoria. There was a great spread of fresh pastries, warm focaccia, seasonal fruit, eggs, cold meats, cereals, and yoghurt, along with great coffee. It had been thoughtfully put together.

After breakfast, we were joined by our guide Alex for a ride in a classic Fiat 850T, which was older than me and were shown Alberobello’s historic areas, Rione Monti and Aia Piccola. These neighbourhoods are filled with over a thousand trulli, each with its own character and story to tell. We then headed out into the countryside to visit a traditional Masseria run by Giovanna and Franco. This was a working farm where everyday life and tradition go hand in hand. We were welcomed into their kitchen, where Lucrezia showed us the ropes. She guided us through making mozzarella, pasta, and focaccia from scratch. We then enjoyed an amazing lunch where everything we ate had come from the farm.

In the evening, we headed to beautiful Martina Franca. This is a charming town that’s known for its beautiful old streets, great food and is especially famous for its elegant Baroque architecture. We had a great dinner here in one of the local restaurants.

The next day, after breakfast, we explored the beautiful Valle d’Itria, full of hills, vineyards, and Trulli villages. We first visited Locorotondo, a pretty round town with great views, then went to Ostuni, the “White City” with bright streets on a hill by the sea.

On our way back to Alberobello, we stopped at a medieval masseria, which is a traditional farmhouse in southern Italy. Here we toured the vast Olive Groves and then tasted some of the region’s best olive oils. The owners even prepared a light lunch using all their own produce. You have probably gathered by now that this farm-to-table is quite the thing in the area.

The day continued with an evening of a wine tasting at the family-owned organic Cantina Torricella Winery. Surrounded by vineyards and guided by passionate winemakers, we enjoyed generous pours paired with local snacks.

Before heading back to Bari Airport, we were taken to Matera. It‘s such a unique place to visit. The city is famous for its ancient cave homes, called the Sassi, where people lived for thousands of years. Walking around feels like stepping back in time, with narrow streets, stone buildings, and amazing views. It’s also very beautiful and full of history, culture, and great local food.

This was my first time in this part of Italy, and I was more than impressed by how beautiful the towns and the countryside were. Yes, they are real foodies in this area, but you can see why, as they have so much amazing produce on their doorstep.

I was really pleased to have been able to explore Puglia and learn about Magari Tours and what they offer.

If a small group immersive tour to Italy appeals, let me know. Magari Tours operate iLombardydy, Umbria, Tuscany, Sicily and Sardinia, as well as Puglia.

I promise that you won‘t be disappointed, and you certainly won't starve.

Susan x