Back By Popular Demand
A Sun-Drenched Trip to Puglia and Sicily
May 23 to June 5, 2027
An Enhanced Experience with
5 Days in Puglia and 7 Days in Sicily
Our Journey Begins in Puglia
Tucked away on the east coast of Southern Italy, Puglia is a region known as the country’s ‘heel of the boot’.
Puglia is renowned as one of Italy’s most beautiful areas, which says a lot considering how gorgeous the rest of the country is. With a relaxed and laid-back vibe, Puglia is scattered with charming seaside villages, fascinating towns, and sun-bleached sand beaches.
We’ll embrace the slow life and spend our first five days discovering the many ancient cities, old architecture, and amazing sea views indulging in long leisurely lunches, walks along the lungomare (seaside), and weather permitting, possibly dipping into the clear blue sea (so pack your bathing suit) as we explore all that Puglia has to offer.
Cooking Classes with Italian Nonnas
We’ll learn the art of making orrechiette and focaccia, the traditional specialties of Bari with Italian Nonnas. We’ll visit the Trulli town of Alberobello, the seaside town of Polignano a Mare, the bread-baking village of Altamura, the ancient city of Matera, and quaint village of Locorotondo. And we’ll enjoy oil and wine tastings along the way.
Our Adventure Continues in Sicily
And then it’s off to Sicily where we’ll be spending six days at Villa Petrantica outside the ancient city Ragusa Ibla. This wonderful property offers a panoramic sea view and is nestled on 10 acres of land, dotted with plants and gardens. It’s carefully furnished in an ancient/modern style with each suite named after an important Sicilian event in history or cinema and hosts a large infinity pool.
This gorgeous property will be our exclusive home for the week, with plenty of time to enjoy its charms, as well as savor evening meals prepared by Christina and her co-chef and sidekick, Patrick Verre, a Michelin starred chef who now travels the world cooking and creating.
Our day trips in Sicily will include: the Baroque cities of Noto, Ragusa Ibla, and Modica, known for its amazing chocolate; the archeological park at Syracuse; the market in Ortigia; Donnafugata castle in Ragusa; and we’ll venture to Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, just to name a few of the treats we have in store. And we’ll enjoy amazing wine and olive oil tastings at local vineyards and groves.
Our Hotel in Bari and Villa in Sicily
In Puglia, we’ll stay at Hotel Imago Plus, a four star hotel. Just a short walk from the historic center of Bari; and in Sicily we’ll stay at the luxurious Villa Petrantica, just outside the ancient baroque city of Ragusa Ibla.
Our Itinerary
While there are many stunning spots to visit in both Puglia and Sicily; based on our experience, we’ve selected what we believe to be some of the best. New this year, we’ve added an extra day in Puglia to visit Altamura, the bread baking capital of Puglia, and Matera, an ancient cave dwelling city. And in Sicily, we’ve added a visit to Mt Etna. Our experience is that once you’ve been to Puglia and Sicily you’ll want to go back again and again and again!
The Food
I hope you know us well enough to know that we will be dishing up the best that Puglia and Sicily has to offer at amazing restaurants, as well as in our own kitchen. Plant-based or not, you’ll find something luscious to satisfy your desires at the table.
OUR PHOTO LIBRARY
Click here to check out some of the photos from previous trips.
RESERVATION REQUESTS & MORE INFORMATION
Call or email to sign up today: 800-266-5815 / christinacooks@comcast.net
May 23, 2027 to June 5, 2027
$6,295.00 per person double occupancy
$6,995.00 per person single occupancy
(All inclusive, excluding airfare)
