TRIP DESCRIPTION

At the tip of Italy’s heel is a region filled with contrasts, from the palazzi filled with airy, frescoed rooms and secret gardens to the arid, untrammeled countryside, dramatically interrupted by the Mediterranean sea and a jagged cliff coast. Salento, a region in Puglia, expands across the center and south of the region, from the plateaus of Valle d’Itria to the tip of the heel, in Santa Maria di Leuca. Puglia was conquered by many from Ancient Greeks to Turks and the Kingdom of Aragon — which has left rich layers of art and architecture in the region.

Salento is dotted with palaces and castles which have been passed down through generations and remain immaculately preserved to this day. Puglia’s cities, Lecce for example, are filled with Baroque art and architecture, an innovative seventeenth century style characterized by vaulted ceilings and frescos.

Puglia’s food culture is unlike any other of the country’s regional cuisines, thanks to its unique geography and climate, which allows for fresh seafood from the Adriatic sea; creamy mozzarella and burrata from the region’s plateaus; tender vegetables like the multicolored carote di Polignano and desserts such as Lecce’s famous pasticciotto. Experience these local dishes in vibrant settings from tranquil gardens to trattorias. Dust your hands with flour to learn the art of making one of Puglia’s most celebrated pasta shapes, orecchiette, named after the little ears they resemble, with a local chef.

Besides being known as a cradle of Italian food and Mediterranean culture, Puglia has a long tradition of craftsmanship. Grottaglie, just a few kilometers from Lecce, is famous for its paint-splattered ceramic dishes with elaborate compositions. Lesser-known crafts include ornate hand-made textiles.

PRICING DETAILS

In order to confirm your reservation, full payment is required at the time of the booking. For more information or to confirm your place on this journey, please contact caravan@priorworld.com

• Double Occupancy Room (2 people in 1 room): $7,765 per person
• Single Occupancy Room (1 person in 1 room): $9,940 per person

Inclusions:

• Accommodations at Palazzo Maresgallo
• All tours and admission costs throughout the itinerary
• All meals throughout the itinerary
• All transportation throughout the itinerary
• Gratuities

Exclusions:

• Airfare
• Arrival and departure transfers
• Any visa or travel requirements for entry into Italy
• Travel Insurance
• Other meals and alcoholic beverages not stated in itinerary

Terms and Conditions:

Please note, for this trip to proceed, a certain minimum number of people must reserve a place. We will provide confirmation once this number has been reached, so you may proceed with booking airfare and other forms of transportation.

If you choose to book airfare in advance of final confirmation, please book refundable fares or obtain travel insurance to protect yourself against additional charges should final dates change or cancelation occurs. (Please note, in the instance of an unforeseen date change or cancelation, your 50% deposit is refundable.)

PRIOR strongly recommends that each member purchase travel and cancelation insurance. In addition, we recommend purchasing a policy that covers loss of luggage, accidents, sickness, and emergency medical evacuation.

Please note, all efforts are made to provide the itinerary as presented, PRIOR reserves the right to make any changes to the final itinerary deemed necessary or due to reasons beyond our control (change in flights, cancelations, political disturbances, natural disasters/phenomena, etc).

Photographs or video recordings of members may be used for educational and promotional purposes by PRIOR or a host group/organization.