From October to November, during Puglia’s busy harvest season, Especially Puglia will welcome small groups for a week-long FarmStay to visit our partner farms.
Against a backdrop of sparkling coastline, ancient olive groves, and charming medieval and baroque towns, you’ll be immersed in the unique agricultural and culinary traditions of one of Italy’s hidden treasures. Details below.
We are taking bookings for Autumn 2019! For any inquiries or questions regarding the tour, please contact us at farmstay@especiallypuglia.com or sign up below.
Join us in Puglia!
About FarmStay
Guests will have the rare opportunity to take part in Puglia’s traditional harvesting practices in the company of expert guides. On organic, family-run olive farms, you’ll learn how master olive oil producers combine respect for the land and local tradition with the best processing methods and a passion for the craft to create some of the world’s finest oil. Guests will participate in all parts of production, from harvesting and milling to pressing and bottling. You’ll learn how to taste olive oil and how climate, soil, varietals, and processing methods contribute to unique flavor profiles.
Once the olive oil has been produced, it’s time to use it! Especially Puglia’s cooking classes will teach you how to prepare authentic Pugliese feasts to delight your friends back home. Local chefs will lead the group through every step, from selecting the perfect produce and understanding regional food pairings and techniques, to canning and preserving freshly harvested fruits and vegetables.
Guests will stay in masserie, authentic fortified farmhouses — updated with modern comforts and amenities — on traditional farms producing olive oil, wine, fruits, and vegetables. You’ll be welcomed as part of the family with the warmth that Pugliese natives are known for and served regional dishes made with local ingredients.
Michele Iadarola grew up in the small medieval town of Pietramontecorvino in Puglia. As a child, he handpicked olives with his grandfather and thrived on his mamma’s local, from-scratch cooking. After moving to New York in 2010, Michele founded Especially Puglia out of his desire to share the unique culinary traditions of his homeland with the world. His Adopt an Olive Tree, FarmShare, and FarmStay programs are all focused on supporting small-scale farmers and meaningfully connecting Americans with the foods of Puglia.
This itinerary has been meticulously custom designed based on Michele’s unforgettable past experiences and favorite flavors. Every single establishment you will visit has been personally vetted, tested and enjoyed by us. In some cases we’ll take you to places you could not find by yourself or in a guidebook.
• National Park of Gargano, UNESCO sites of Castel del Monte and City of Matera
• Captivating towns of Lucera, Troia, Trani, Peschici, and one of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy Pietra Montecorvino
• Participation in a local olive harvest and sharing of food stories over lunch with the family
• Meeting small farmers and food producers behind the Especially Puglia farmshare program
• Relaxing in unique, cozy masserie (farm stay) or 3- or 4-star hotels reflecting the local culture
• Full immersion into the history, traditions and culture with local Pugliese Michele Iadarola
• Rich learnings about the intangible UNESCO Cultural Heritage of the Mediterranean diet
• Spending time with Michele’s family and cooking with them!
• Exposure to lesser-known Italian wines like Cacc’e Mmitte di Lucera, Nero di Troia and Bombino Bianco
Those who...
• Like learning more about the history and culture of the lesser-known of Puglia region with a local!
• Enjoy daily activities such as sightseeing, walking, and meeting local food entrepreneurs
• Love learning stories behind sustainable food and enjoy conviviality around the table because food unites us all!
• Wish to explore the landscapes of the region with a professional Tour Leader and a Pugliese!
• Love dinners featuring regional foods and wines
• Like to travel like locals, trading the guidebook script for a personal, curated experience and standard hotels for traditional accommodations!
