5 Day Cooking Holiday in Puglia, Italy
Italian Cooking Vacation in Puglia
Take Italian cooking classes in the south of Italy in the heart of Apulia, immersed in nature a few kilometers from the sea! Spend your holiday in the serenity of this rural paradise! Vedaguru Centre has chosen dishes that can easily be made at home, using ingredients that you can find in the market wherever you live. Fill your heart, mind, and stomach with irreplaceable peace. The program combines hands-on Italian cooking classes with visits to nearby towns. Guests take part in traditional Apulian cooking lessons and enjoy tasting the dishes they prepare together. The experience also includes a guided visit to the historic center of Conversano, while for Polignano a Mare a transfer is provided, allowing guests to explore the town independently. A well-balanced holiday that blends authentic cuisine, local culture, and the beauty of Puglia.
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- 3 cooking classes in the morning with lunch (3 hours course and lunch) on Tuesday to Thursday
- You will learn traditional Apulian dishes such as broad beans and chicory, Bari tiella
- Learn traditional dishes such as Bari focaccia, fresh handmade pasta, fish dishes, typical desserts, etc.
- 4 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Opportunity to relax and explore the surroundings
- Visit Conversano
3 days with instruction in English
Average daily hours of activity: 3
Accommodation
You will be staying at Montecarretto country house during the retreat. Double room or a single room with private bathroom available. There are three suites, one is in the Trulli main building, one is in the old barn and the other is in an old ruin, all renovated to preserve the original state.
Each room has the name of the plant grown near or inside it (like the fig tree in the old ruin). All rooms are very comfortable, providing tranquility and repose in a refined and welcoming environment. All rooms have a veranda, bathroom, independent entrance, and fridge. The accommodation is also equipped with an outdoor sauna (Finnish and infrared).
Conversano, the nearest town, is 7 kilometers away. If you want to be independent in your travels, Vedaguru recommend renting a car at Bari airport. There is an internal car park in the venue. Two electric bikes and scooters are available for free. The venue has a natural pool (80 square meters of which 40 are suitable for bathing) but there is no lifeguard.
Program
Arrive on Monday, and the departure is on Friday. The program starts from Tuesday to Thursday. Breakfast is served at about 09:00, then you will have cooking classes from 10:00 to 13:00 with lunch. You will learn traditional Apulian dishes such as broad beans and chicory, Bari tiella (rice, potatoes, and mussels), Bari focaccia, fresh handmade pasta, fish dishes, typical desserts, etc.
The best thing about the cooking classes is that while we give the recipes in English, the cooking classes will be in Italian so that you can learn some Italian and listen directly to Chef Lucrezia. You will stay with the chef and practice. There will be no translation while you cook but if you have any doubt, you can ask at the end of the classes. If you prefer to have an English translation during the cooking class, this can be requested.
Included excursions
During this retreat, you’ll enjoy an excursion to Conversano’s historic center that is a delightful network of narrow stone streets, home to the impressive castle, the cathedral, and charming historic cafés. A walk through the old town offers a true taste of local history, culture, and southern Italian atmosphere.
Instructors
Lucrezia D' Alessandro
Lucrezia is a local chef, whose passion for food and cooking has been her devotion for a number of years. Working with only the freshest and most authentic ingredients gives a delightful originality, as well as a superior flavor, to everything she makes or bakes. She will be teaching you some of the secrets of the famous Italian cuisine.
Location
This cooking holiday takes place in Puglia, Italy.
Distances
- Conversano, 7 kilometers
- Polignano a Mare, 17 kilometers
- The Caves of Castellana, 8 kilometers
- Alberobello, 22 kilometers
- Monopoli town, 22 kilometers
- Monopoli Capitolo beaches, 28 kilometers
- Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI) - 50 minutes
- Brindisi Airport (BDS) - 110 minutes
Features
Activities
- Sauna
Food
The package includes daily breakfast and dinner and 3 lunches (after your cooking classes).
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
- Alcoholic beverages
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Seafood
Exclusive Gifts
Vedaguru Centre has prepared a few special surprises for you, including unique experiences and thoughtful extras to make your journey even more memorable.
Bottle of Primitivo wine or extra virgin Olive Oil
Things to do (optional)
Visit the near Alberobello the Unesco Site ( taxi transfer or Vedaguru offer free transfer to nearest bus/train stop) They suggest to rent car at Bari airport for who wish to reach the property independently and explore other nearby towns on their own.
What's included
- 4 nights accommodation, with breakfast and dinner
- 3 cooking classes in the morning with lunch (3 hours course + lunch) on Tuesday to Thursday
- You will learn traditional Apulian dishes such as broad beans and chicory, Bari tiella (rice, potatoes, and mussels), Bari focaccia, fresh handmade pasta, fish dishes, typical desserts, etc.
Included Exclusive Gifts
Bottle of Primitivo wine or extra virgin Olive Oil
A bottle of our locally produced Primitivo wine or our own extra virgin olive oil (your choice).
What's not included
- Airfare
- Airport transfers
- Massage
- Tourist tax (paid in cash)
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Transfer available for additional US$ 93 per person
Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport
38 km away from your destination
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI). Vedaguru Centre can organize taxi transfer from the airport (80 EUR) payable directly to the driver by card or cash.
Arrival by bus
Vedaguru Centre offers free transfer from Conversano Bus station (from Bari Airport, take the metro to Bari central station and from there, take a bus to Conversano (1 hour). Check the timetable online.
Arrival by train
It is also possible to take the train from Bari central station to Polignano a mare (30 minutes) and then a taxi from Polignano to venue is 30 EUR.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
Reviews
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