HE Travel
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Puglia Villa Culinary Experience Gay Travel Italy
A Delicious Gay Travel Italy Culinary Experience
Prices listed are per person:
Shared Room: $5598
Private Room and Shared Bath: $6198
Private Room and Bath: $7348 - 2 Rooms Left
Savor the rich traditions of Italy’s Adriatic coast in Puglia. During the day, you’ll wander through historic towns, seaside villages, Swabian castles, and ancient cave homes that long pre-date the Renaissance. Each evening, unwind at our restored 14th-century villa and enjoy dinners made with fresh local ingredients, including extra virgin olive oil pressed from the villa’s own trees.
Highlights
Reside for a week in the beautifully restored 14th century Villa Cappelli, perched next to the fabled Appian Way.
Visit medieval towns and villages ranging from Adriatic coastal fishing ports to inland market towns.
Relax by our private, clothing-optional pool in the villa’s courtyard and enjoy a complimentary cocktail hour every evening.
Sample local delicacies prepared in the villa’s kitchen, using olive oil produced at the villa and exported to gourmet shops.
Meet neighbors who rarely see tourists and who enjoy mingling with the guests.
Authentic Italian experience without any “tourist” traps — you’ll see very few other foreign visitors as you immerse yourself in the slower pace of life in Puglia.
Overview
A Week at 14th-century Villa Cappelli
We designed this gay travel culinary tour to give guests a genuine taste of Puglia. Every meal showcases local specialties, whether dining in amazing restaurants or making it at the villa. With daily visits to charming villages and plenty of interaction with locals, you’ll feel fully immersed in la dolce vita.
We will stay in a villa whose history reaches back to the 14th century. It was restored to its original beauty by a gay American and his partner with deep family ties to Puglia. From the property, you can walk or bike along the ancient Appian Way and other quiet country roads. The landscape still carries the imprint of centuries of pilgrims, soldiers, and travelers — even Crusaders on their way to Jerusalem.
Puglia’s distance from Rome and Florence meant the Renaissance never fully transformed daily life here.
Many churches and homes pre-date that era, with some more than a thousand years old. From working fishing villages to the UNESCO-listed Castel del Monte, ancient Roman bridges, and the region’s iconic trulli, you’ll see a wide range of Puglia’s history and culture. Each day brings the chance to enjoy regional food and wine, prepared fresh at Villa Cappelli or in restaurants around Terlizzi and neighboring towns.
As with all our tours, the day-to-day itinerary may shift based on weather or local availability. Activities might happen in a different order than listed, but we’ll make every effort to deliver an experience that meets expectations.
Itinerary
Map:
Day 1: Bongiorno and Welcome to Puglia!
All travelers should plan to arrive in Bari today.
Weather we arrive at the Bari airport or the Terlizzi or Molfetta train stations, we will meet our driver for the short transfer to Villa Cappelli. The villa is about 25 minutes from the airport, along a quiet stretch of the ancient Appian Way,. The Adriatic Sea is less than ten miles to the east.
Once you’ve settled into your room, enjoy a light lunch or afternoon snack and a glass of wine. Tonight, we’ll gather at the villa for our welcome dinner and our first cooking lesson.
Day 2: Trani by the Sea
This morning we head to Trani, one of Puglia’s most elegant coastal towns. Our first stop is the stunning Cathedral of San Nicola Pellegrino, perched right at the edge of the Adriatic. Its pale stone façade and sweeping sea views make it one of the most iconic churches in southern Italy.
From there, we’ll walk over to Trani’s impressive Swabian Castle, built by Frederick II. Its walls rise directly above the harbor, offering a look into the region’s medieval past and some beautiful vantage points over the water.
After exploring, we’ll settle in for a long, leisurely seafood lunch by the water. Expect ultra-fresh fish, local specialties, and that slow, sunny coastal rhythm that makes Puglia unforgettable.
In the late afternoon we return to the villa, where we will have time to relax before enjoying another homemade dinner together.
Day 3: Market Day in Terlizzi
Today we will dive into everyday life in Terlizzi, a nearby town known for its food traditions and lively morning markets. We’ll start at the local panificio, where the smell of warm focaccia and fresh bread fills the street. From there, we’ll visit a neighborhood mozzarella maker to watch the craft in action and pick up the freshest cheeses.
Enjoy wandering through the produce stands, choosing seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs straight from local farms. By the end of the morning, we’ll have gathered everything we need to cook many of our meals for the week.
After shopping, we’ll return to the villa for a relaxed lunch and a little downtime.
In the evening, we come together for a hands-on pasta lesson, using the ingredients we picked up in Terlizzi. It’s a fun, casual night in the kitchen, and a perfect way to taste the results of the day’s market discoveries.
Day 4: The Hidden Gem of Gravina
Today we will visit Gravina in Puglia, a dramatic historic town whose famous stone bridge was featured in the latest James Bond film. We’ll explore its bell tower, cathedral, museums, and the cliffside views that make Gravina such a memorable stop.
After our tour, we’ll settle in for an amazing lunch, enjoying a delicious meal in a restaurant literally carved out of a cave.
Later in the afternoon, we will head back to the villa to relax before gathering for a villa dinner in the evening.
Day 5: Alberobello and Polignano a Mare — A Postcard Day in Puglia
Today is all about Puglia’s most iconic scenery. We will begin in Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its whitewashed trulli. These are cone-shaped stone houses that look like something out of a storybook. It’s one of the most photographed places in southern Italy, and walking its narrow lanes feels like stepping into another world.
From there, we’ll make our way to Polignano a Mare, a spectacular seaside town perched on limestone cliffs above the Adriatic. We’ll enjoy a long, leisurely seafood lunch right on the water, taking in the views that have made Polignano famous around the world.
After lunch, we return to the villa to relax before enjoying dinner at the villa that evening.
Day 6: A Day and a Meal to Remember
This morning, we will head to the Jatta Museum, home to an extraordinary private collection of ancient Greek pottery discovered in the Pugliese countryside. It’s a small but fascinating stop that gives real insight into the region’s early history.
Next, we visit Castel del Monte, the mysterious octagonal fortress built by Emperor Frederick II. Its perfect geometry and hilltop views make it one of the most intriguing landmarks in all of Italy.
From there, we will continue to Antichi Sapori, the celebrated restaurant whose chef was featured on Stanley Tucci’s “Searching for Italy.” This is a long, unforgettable meal built around hyper-local ingredients and traditional dishes you won’t find anywhere else.
After this remarkable lunch, we will return to the villa for a light dinner.
Day 7: Matera and a Farewell Pizza Night
Today we will travel to Matera, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and a place unlike anywhere else in Italy. Its famous Sassi—ancient cave homes carved directly into the limestone—create a landscape that feels both ancient and cinematic. We’ll wander through the historic quarters, explore winding alleys and hidden courtyards, and get a closer look at how people lived here for centuries.
After exploring, we’ll enjoy lunch in Matera before returning to the villa.
Our farewell dinner, is sadly this evening. We will spend this time together making our own pizzas in the wood-fired oven. It’s a relaxed, hands-on way to wrap up the week and enjoy one last evening together.
Day 8: Homeward Bound
Today we bid farewell to our friends and to Puglia. Join a group transfer to Bari Airport for flights back to Rome and beyond.
Please note that for some flight routings, an overnight stay in Rome will offer the widest choice of flights.
Price Includes
Price includes:
Lodging for 7 nights in double occupancy at Villa Cappelli (some rooms share a bathroom); Limited single rooms upon request if available; All meals during the stay at the villa including local wine or soft drinks, except for one dinner in the nearby village on your own; Services of HE Travel Tour Director (subject to minimum participation); Transfer from Bari Airport or Terlizzi or Molfetta train stations on the first tour day, and back to Bari airport on departure day. Services of a knowledgeable HE Travel tour host (with a minimum number of participants); HE Travel provides complimentary Medical & Evacuation Insurance for every US Resident on our group tours who does not have other coverage.
Not included:
Transportation to and from Bari, Italy; Personal items such as souvenirs, snacks, faxes, telephone calls, and alcohol other than at included dinners; Admissions not described as included in the itinerary; Gratuities for guides and HE host.
Optional Tour Choices:
$500 Upgrade to Garden Room at Villa – BOOKED
$500 Upgrade to Courtyard Room at Villa
$500 Upgrade to Regina Room at Villa
Extensions
Come Early to join our Morocco tour
Tour Insurance
We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance to protect your vacation investment in case of unforeseen circumstances such as flight delay, illness, or injury. Click Here to learn more about our Insurance partner.
FAQ
Airplane Travel: Most flights to Bari are from Rome. Therefore, North American travelers can depart home the evening before our tour starts, arrive in Rome in the morning, then connect to Bari. Allow at least two hours to connect in the often-chaotic Rome airport (three hours if possible). There are a few direct flights to Bari from Milan’s domestic airport, Munich and other European hubs. If you take one of these flights, allow a long connection window. There are only one or two flights a day to Bari.
Rail Travel: The Villa is a 6-8-hour train ride from Rome or Milan. If you take the train, the closest station is Terlizzi, a four-minute ride from the Villa. Take the express train to Barletta Centrale (Barletta C. Le). From there, transfer to the local commuter railway for the last leg to Terlizzi. Trains run every 40 minutes for most of the day. Schedules are at this website: www.ferrovienordbarese.it/home (click on the British flag in the upper right for English)
To check national rail schedules and Italy rail pass options, see www.raileurope.com. You can also check the Italian Railway site www.trenitalia.com for trains from Rome, Milan or other Italian cities to Barletta.
For those returning to North America after our tour, book a morning flight from Bari to connect with most international flights. If you have time, take a leisurely late morning flight to Rome, spend a night or two there, then fly home.
Does this sound confusing? We're here to help! Our flight/rail specialists have been helping guests arrange travel to the Villa for years. They will be happy to assist you too! Please Contact Us if you'd like travel assistance for this tour.