Singles & Friends - 8 Day Italian Cooking Class Vacations in Puglia, Italy

The Cooking Vacations is held in the beautiful Casino Pisanelli. The venue was built in the 18th century and is surrounded by acres of olive groves. It has recently been featured in Homes & Gardens magazine, in an article entitled Italian Renaissance. Our week long courses in Puglia are $2650 per person with no single supplement, which is an added bonus for the single traveller. The courses are held during the months of May, September and October, you'll find details of availablity in our dates and rates section plus the new dates for 2010 have also just been announced.

With a long and beautiful coastline you are never far from the sea in Puglia so it’s not surprising that fish is a local staple and a focus of our Cooking Vacation in Puglia. Other ingredients close to the local chef’s heart include mouth watering ricotta cheese, chickpeas, capers, green peppers, aubergines, mozzarella and basil. There are fantastic market gardens in this region so the vegetables are locally grown, very fresh and often organic. The itinerary includes a visit to the Otranto Market, so that you can experience one of these wonderful markets for yourself!

Undiscovered and off the beaten track, Puglia forms the "heel" of Italy, bordered by the Adriatic Sea to the east and the Ionian Sea to the south. An ideal location for a gourmet holiday, it has the longest coast of any Italian region, eight hundred kilometres of coastline stretching down the Adriatic and around the heel into the high arch of the lonian Sea and the Gulf of Taranto. This heel reaches out towards the Eastern Mediterranean, and at times the landscape has the look and feel of Greece rather than the gentler Italy of Rome and the North.

Described as one of the most beautiful houses by the sea (Elle Décor 2005) and featured in the September 2007 issue of Homes & Gardens Magazine, the property dates back to the 18th Century when it was used by the local aristocrat, Count Pisanelli as a hunting lodge. It has recently been lovingly restored using the skills of local craftsmen and artisans to produce a stunning blend of modern and traditional Italian style. As well as the swimming pool, cleverly integrated into the formal gardens, there are also courtyards with lemon and orange trees - the perfect setting for meals al fresco! Surrounding the lodge are acres of olive groves which provide delicious extra virgin olive oil throughout the week.

Saturday
On arrival at Brindisi airport at 9:00pm, you are transfered by minibus to Casino Pisanelli, where you will receive welcome drinks and a light supper.

Sunday
After breakfast you have your first cooking lesson followed by lunch. In the afternoon there is a visit to Santa Maria di Leuca (the village at the very tip of the Salentine Peninsula where the Ionian and Adriatic Seas meet). You'll then enjoy an aperitivo in Santa Maria di Leuca followed by dinner at Casino Pisanelli

Monday
After breakfast cooking followed by lunch. You have the afternoon free to enjoy at your leisure and dinner in the evening

Tuesday
After breakfast you spend the morning in the kitchen again with another lesson followed by lunch. During the afternoon, enjoy a private wine tasting at a local winery, after which you return to Casino Pisanelli for dinner

Wednesday
Leave after breakfast for full day outing, firstly to Leece and then lunch at a typical Masseria in the country. Afternoon visit to Lecce and a private walking tour around the City with an English-speaking guide. Dinner at Casino Pisanelli

Thursday
After breakfast, cooking followed by lunch. Evening visit to Gallipoli and the chance to wander around the old town. As for dinner, you dine at an excellent local fish restaurant

Friday
After breakfast final cookery session. Afternoon free followed by dinner

Saturday
After a late breakfast, drive to Maglie and visit a artisan chocolate maker. After lunch, which is enjoyed at a local restuarant, we return to Casino Pisanelli. Depart early for airport.

Available 2010 Dates: May 1 - 8 / May 22 - 29 / September 11 - 18 / September 18 - 25

Price - $2,375

Included in price:

- 7 nights single accommodations
- 5 hands-on cookery lessons
- A tutored private wine tasting
- Guided walking tour around Lecce (Florence of the south)
- Visit to Otranto, Gallipoli and Maglie
- Chocolate tasting with artisan producers

Cancellation and Change Policy
If you cancel 60 days prior to arrival date you will receive your deposit less an administration charge of $500. If you cancel between 60 and 45 days you will unfortunately forfeit your deposit. Cancellation less than 30 days prior to arrival date 100% of the amount is forfeited. If you want to change your date 60 days prior to arrival date there is no charge to change the land portion, assuming there is availability. The charge to change the airline ticket is whatever the airline is charging at the present time. We strongly recommend that you take travel insurance to cover in case you need to cancel.