At a glance
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Our group trips are a great chance to travel with others. We also recommend adding in a few extra nights tailor-made to ensure you build the perfect itinerary.
Prepare your tastebuds for an unforgettable culinary extravaganza in Puglia, the sensational “heel” of Italy’s iconic boot. This luxury food and wine tour indulges your senses with the finest flavors and sites of the Salento region.
Under the guidance of expert local chefs, master the art of preparing Puglia’s mouthwatering pasta dishes and tantalizing appetizers. Attend intimate cooking classes in a charming Masseria and learn techniques passed down for generations.
Embark on exclusive vineyard and olive grove tours to discover what makes Puglia’s robust wines and fruity olive oils so special. Refine your palate by sampling varietals right from the source.
You’ll wander the picturesque streets of Lecce, Admire Otranto’s coastline, explore artsy Gallipoli, and more. The days will culminate in long, leisurely dinners overflowing with farm-to-table cuisine and animated conversation.
You’ll have ample time to relax poolside, stroll through markets, and even enjoy a scenic boat ride along Puglia’s dramatic coast. This luxurious sojourn provides the perfect blend of indulgence and cultural immersion. Return home with recipes to share and memories to last a lifetime.
More Information
The legal picture in Italy is more mixed than elsewhere in Western Europe. Civil unions have been legal since 2016 and provide most of the practical rights associated with marriage, including inheritance and hospital visitation, though Italy is one of the few Western European countries that hasn’t yet legalized full same-sex marriage. Anti-discrimination laws cover sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, education and services.
In practice, LGBTQ+ travelers will find the destinations on most luxury itineraries entirely comfortable. The cities, the lake regions, the coastlines and the major islands all welcome same-sex couples as standard. Italian luxury hospitality is unbothered, and the staff at the kind of hotels we book have been welcoming same-sex couples for decades.
Italy also has one of the most interesting LGBTQ+ cultural histories in the world. Michelangelo’s love poetry, Leonardo da Vinci’s biography, the writing of Pier Paolo Pasolini and the films of Luchino Visconti are part of how the country has thought about sexuality for centuries. The legal framework may lag behind the rest of Western Europe, but the cultural ease that comes from that history is real, and it’s what travelers notice on the ground.
- 26 Sep, 2026
- Accommodation as listed
- International Flights
- Travel insurance
In detail
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Don't forget that most of our itineraries can be totally customized. Our expert team will be able to talk you through all the options.
Day 1: Salento
A warm Puglian welcome awaits at your exclusive villa or charming beachside hotel, perfectly situated for our intimate culinary retreat.
You can unpack and prepare yourself for our first delicious meal – so don’t eat too much before you arrive. Savor fine local wines and cuisine as new friendships blossom over dinner on the first evening of your Salento food and wine tour.
From cooking classes to vineyard tours, prepare to fall in love with Puglia’s vibrant culture, people, and flavors on this week-long culinary journey.
Day 2: Salento Cooking Class And Porto Cesareo
In the morning you’ll have breakfast and then your first cooking class begins. A local chef will show you how to make a series of classic Salento dishes. You’ll be using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. You’ll discover some great cooking tips that’ll impress your friends when you return home.
You’ll then head to the town of Porto Cesareo. It’s beautiful beaches and clear waters are something to see. You can go for a swim, do some shopping and then it’ll be time to eat again. You’ll enjoy fish, seafood and wine; perhaps an aperitif as well.
Day 3: Boat trip in Castro & Otranto
After a hearty breakfast, you’ll head to the breathtaking coastal town of Castro by private boat to explore stunning sea caves and admire the area’s pristine natural beauty, frequented by celebrities. Take a refreshing dip in the crystalline Adriatic waters during your cruise.
Later, you’ll visit charming Otranto, the easternmost part of Italy, famed for its idyllic blend of Eastern and Western architecture and white sandy beaches.
Savor free time before your hosts prepare a delicious dinner showcasing the best of local Puglian recipes back at your accommodation. This day promises magnificent coastal sights, refreshing swims, and delightful culinary discoveries.
Day 4: Farmers' Market & Cooking Class
After breakfast, you’ll head to the farmers’ market and stock up on ingredients. You’ll be returning to the kitchen to cook these ingredients yourselves. You’ll even learn how to make fresh pasta. The local style of pasta is called ‘Orecchiette’ – you’ll be an Orecchiette master by the time you’re done.
Later, you’ll explore a charming nearby town and conclude the day with dinner in true Puglian style. Today promises culinary delights, cultural discoveries, and wonderful shared memories.
Day 5: Nardo To Lecce
It is wine day at last! You’ll head to a wonderful winery and sample the wines unique to Salento, such as Primitivo and Negroamaro.
You’ll then head to the seaside for lunch – hopefully still sober. Then you’ll enjoy a guided tour of Lecce, the baroque city known as the Florence of the South. You’ll have the day to enjoy the city then it’ll be time for some fine dining in a local restaurant.
After dinner, you’ll head to some gay-friendly bars for a drink or two.
Day 6: Gallipoli
After breakfast you’ll head to a Frantoio – an organic olive oil farm. You’ll enjoy a degustation of olive oils – that’s a fancy word for ‘tasting.’
You’ll head to the famous port town of Gallipoli. You’ll love the little alleyways and stunning seafood. In the evening you’ll have a goodbye dinner at the villa along with some locals. If you’re up for it you can then head back to Gallipoli and party at the local gay bars.
Day 7: Ciao Italia
It’s your final day, so say ‘Ciao Italia’. You’ll be taken back to the airport for your departing flight.
When you get home, you can put those new recipes to good use and rustle up a storm in your kitchen.
Why book with us?
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Call our travel experts on +44 (0)20 7157 1570
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