Luca Italian Experiences · Hosted small-group journey
Puglia,
at a slower pace.
Eight nights between the harbor of Trani and the countryside around Ostuni. Good food, working places and enough time to enjoy being there.
- May 2027
- 8 nights
- 2 bases
- Hosted throughout
Group forming · Register interest without a commitment
The shape of your stay
Two bases.
Time to feel at home in each.
Four nights in a town by the water, followed by four in the countryside farther south. You unpack, get to know your surroundings and have somewhere familiar to return to at the end of the day.
Trani
A harbor-town base for Trani itself, the stone quarries, Altamura and a day inland in Orsara di Puglia.
Near Ostuni
A countryside base for Ostuni, Taranto, Manduria and time along the Adriatic coast.
Designed for approximately 6 to 10 guests, with one main experience at the center of each day and room around it for lunch, a rest or an evening on your own.
Your first four nights · Trani
A town you can
step out into.
Trani gives the first half of the journey an everyday rhythm. The harbor, cathedral, castle and waterfront streets are part of where you stay, with time to discover a favorite place for coffee or an evening walk.
We are choosing a small property in town, so an unplanned hour can be as simple as stepping outside. Bread at D’Addato, something sweet at Lula or gelato at Sàben are among the pleasures shaping our time here.
Four nights in Trani. The property and room options will be shared once confirmed.
From our northern base
Bread, stone and
the people behind them.
The first chapter brings you into places where Puglia is still being made, from a working quarry to a family dairy and a kitchen rooted in its own landscape.
The work behind Pietra di Trani
A visit to a working limestone quarry and production facility is at the heart of the plan. The interest is in the real operation: large blocks, cutting and finishing, and the transformation of local stone into the buildings around us. Access and the visitor arrangements are being developed with a suitable operator.
Altamura, from bread to cheese
A day built around Altamura’s bread culture and the Dicecca family’s approach to cheese. A bakery visit, time with the dairy and a tasting or lunch would give the food its context, with space to enjoy the town as well. The private format is being arranged.
A day in Orsara di Puglia
Peppe Zullo’s gardens, cooking and connection to the land shape this full-day visit. Luca’s existing relationship brings a personal introduction to the plan. It is an inland day with a longer drive, given its own space in the week, with the final programme to be agreed with Peppe and his team.
Your next four nights · Near Ostuni
A different landscape.
The same unhurried rhythm.
We move south through Ostuni, with a walk through the old town and time for lunch before settling into the second base. It is the journey’s only change of accommodation.
Here, the search is for a masseria, vineyard property or villa around Ostuni or Carovigno: somewhere with room to gather, enjoy an evening outside and spend a little time doing very little.
Four nights in the southern countryside. The selected property, facilities and room arrangements will follow.
From our southern base
The sea, the vines
and a place at the table.
Three different days give this half of Puglia its character. Each has room to stand on its own, with time to return to our base and enjoy the setting.
Taranto
A working city,
understood through food.The waters of the Mar Piccolo and Taranto’s black mussels connect food to the people who cultivate it. We are shaping a day around this tradition, with a producer encounter and a meal at its center.
Manduria
Primitivo,
where it grows.Old vines, the work behind the wine and time to taste with context. A focused visit with a small producer is being arranged, with Morella currently the preferred direction. Taranto and Manduria remain separate days.
The Adriatic coast
A day with
the water in view.We are exploring the coast around Torre Guaceto for a relaxed sea day, with a boat outing and opportunities to swim or snorkel where suitable. The route, access and boat arrangements are still being selected; the day will depend on sea conditions.
One further possibility is a sunset aperitivo or dinner in a restored open-air quarry near Ostuni. It will join the programme only if the setting and arrangements work for our group.
The Luca Italian Experiences approach
Thoughtfully planned.
Personally hosted.
Your host is the person who puts the journey together. Luca, the founder of Luca Italian Experiences, designs this itinerary and stays with the group throughout.
Born and raised in Rome, with nine years in California and now based in Italy, he brings local understanding and a familiarity with the way American guests travel. You have someone present to introduce people, answer questions and help the days run well.
Time together
Small groups make room for conversation, shared meals and getting to know the people behind each place.
Time of your own
A rest after lunch, a walk before dinner or a quiet hour back at the property belongs in the journey too.
Before you decide
The practical details,
clearly.
When is the journey, and how many people will join?
May 2027, for eight nights: four in Trani and four near Ostuni or Carovigno. The planned group is approximately six to ten guests. Exact arrival and departure dates will be announced with the final arrangements.
Where will we stay?
We are selecting a small property in Trani and a masseria, vineyard property or villa farther south. You will receive the property names, room options and relevant access information before confirming.
How much walking and driving should I expect?
The pace allows time to stop, but the journey includes walking in historic towns, uneven paving, possible stairs and travel out from each base. Orsara is a longer inland day. Transport arrangements and more precise daily demands will be explained before booking.
If step-free access or particular room features matter to your comfort, mention that you would like to discuss access privately. Swimming is optional; participation arrangements for individual visits will be clarified in the final programme.
What is included, and what is paid separately?
The final proposal will clearly identify the accommodation, hosting, breakfasts, other meals, visits and any transport that are included in the Puglia price.
Flights and rental cars are not included. Other meals, experiences, personal expenses and travel insurance are separate unless expressly listed as included.
Can I come on my own?
Yes. You can express interest as a solo traveler, a couple or with a friend. Let us know your preferred room arrangement. Private-room availability and any shared-room arrangements will be confirmed with the accommodation.
What happens if I register interest now?
We begin with a conversation about the journey and whether it suits you. You then receive the confirmed details and final price when they are ready. Registering interest does not reserve a place or create a financial commitment.
Puglia · May 2027
Does this feel like
your kind of journey?
Tell us a little about who would be coming and what draws you to Puglia. We will answer your questions and help you understand whether the journey is a good fit.
You can use the inquiry form below or write directly to luca@lucaitalianexperiences.com.
- Begin a conversation.
Share your interest, the number of travelers and your preferred room arrangement.
- Receive the full details.
Review the confirmed dates, properties, itinerary, inclusions and final price.
- Choose whether to join.
If it is right for you, the booking terms and required deposit will explain how to secure your place.
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