Top Puglia Cooking Classes

The guide actually called us a minute or two before our arrival time to check we were going to make it. She was a member of the family that owns and operates the masseria. Loved the tour - it was amazing to see the mozzarella emerge right in front of our eyes. Delicious picnic basket with a ton of different cheeses at the end. Five stars! Totally recommend!

We had a wonderful time at this pasta cooking class. Simona and Annamaria were warm, welcoming, and very informative—they made the experience fun, relaxed, and engaging. We learned a lot and truly enjoyed the evening. For future guests, it’s helpful to know that the class takes place in Simona’s home rather than a professional kitchen. While it may not be what some expect, it offers a more authentic and personal Italian experience. We also enjoyed a tour of her trulli, which was a special touch. The cooking and dining space accommodates a larger group (we had about 12 people) and is more rustic in nature—uneven flooring, older appliances, and a cozy, traditional setup. Overall, if you’re looking for a genuine, home-style cooking experience with kind and engaging hosts, this is a great option.

Very interesting and informative tour provided by Fabio, explaining the history of the Masseria and the process of making cheese from how they manage the cows and milking through to seeing the making of mozzarella and burrata. You also get to have a go yourself. And then the tasting plate at the end is more than enough to make it a meal/lunch in its own right, not to mention how tasty it all is! We couldn't resist buying some of the Casatello cheese and yoghurt afterwards :) Highly recommend!

Tasted 4 wines from the Puglia region. We were a group of about 15. English was our common language. We had pairings with cheese, bruschetta, and salami with tarrali, then a nice sweet bread for dessert with the last wine. Our guide was very knowledgeable.

This boat tour was absolutely incredible! Our guide Claudio was outstanding – knowledgeable, professional, and engaging throughout the entire journey. Despite traveling from the United States (New Jersey), we couldn't have asked for a better experience exploring the stunning Polignano a Mare coastline. What Made This Tour Special: Expert Commentary: Claudio delivered fascinating historical and geological information about the area, from the famous Domenico Modugno statue and "Volare" connection to the Red Bull Cliff Diving Challenge platforms. His explanations about the limestone formations, seashell fossils, and tectonic processes were educational without being overwhelming. Spectacular Cave Exploration: We visited multiple stunning caves including Grotta Palazzese (home to the famous restaurant), Bishop Cave, Grotta Ardito with its historic passage, and the massive Pigeons Cave. Each had unique features and stories. Swimming Opportunity: The stop for swimming near Grotta Palazzese was a highlight – the water temperature was around 18-19°C (mid-60s°F), refreshing and totally worth it! Perfect Pacing: The ~1.5 hour tour covered approximately 3.5 nautical miles of coastline without feeling rushed. Claudio balanced narration with time to simply enjoy the views. Small Group Experience: Our boat (Marika) had a comfortable group size, allowing for personalized attention and easy interaction with our guide. Bonus Details: Learning about local history like the trulli structures, the former butchery cave that once attracted blue sharks, and the illegal salt production caves added authentic cultural depth. Pro Tips: Book early, bring a towel if you plan to swim, and don't worry about the November timing – the experience is magical year-round! Highly recommended for anyone visiting Puglia. Worth every euro! What You Should Know Before Booking This Tour: BOOKING & LOGISTICS: Book well in advance – tours fill up quickly Meeting point is at the port in Polignano a Mare Check-in involves paperwork (one person fills out main form, others just sign) You'll be assigned to specific boats (ours was "Marika") Tour duration: approximately 1-1.5 hours Distance covered: 3.5 nautical miles of coastline WHAT TO BRING: Towel if you plan to swim Waterproof case/bag for phones and electronics (water spray is possible, especially with southeast winds) Light jacket – it gets breezy on the water even if the day is warm Bathing suit under your clothes if you want to swim SWIMMING DETAILS: There IS a swimming stop (not all tours offer this in November) Water temperature in November: 18-19°C (mid-60s°F) – cold but doable Depth at swimming area: approximately 5 meters Boat has platforms and stairs for easy water access Swimming is optional – no pressure to get in Most participants did swim despite the temperature WEATHER CONSIDERATIONS: Tours run year-round, including November Expect some bumps and water spray, especially with southeast winds The guide will warn you about conditions at the start Dress in layers LANGUAGE: Tour conducted in English (guide speaks slowly and clearly for international guests) Guide accommodates multiple nationalities on same tour ACCESSIBILITY: You'll need to board/exit the boat via stairs/platforms Some movement required during the tour Not ideal for those with severe mobility limitations WHAT YOU'LL SEE: Multiple sea caves (Grotta Palazzese, Bishop Cave, Grotta Ardito, Pigeons Cave, Saddle Cave, Well Cave) Red Bull Cliff Diving platforms (27m for men, 21m for women) Domenico Modugno statue ("Volare" singer) Old Town Polignano elevated 23m above sea level Limestone cliffs, seashell fossils, rock erosion patterns Port Alga (old fishermen's village) Hermit Rock island with cross monument Views toward Monopoli GUIDE QUALITY: Claudio is a licensed ship master with 10+ years experience Extremely knowledgeable about local history, geology, and culture Professional yet personable Takes photos for guests Willing to answer questions GROUP SIZE: Small groups split across multiple boats Intimate experience, not overcrowded Easy to hear guide and ask questions VALUE CONSIDERATIONS: This is educational AND experiential – not just a scenic ride You get historical context, cave exploration, AND swimming opportunity Comparable to or better than similar coastal tours in Italy Well worth the price for the quality of experience PHOTOGRAPHY: Excellent photo opportunities throughout Guide will take photos of you with cave backgrounds Protect your phone from water spray Best lighting is during "golden hour" (late afternoon) SAFETY: Life jackets available Professional captain with proper licensing Boats are well-maintained Guide explains safety procedures at start NOT INCLUDED: Hotel pickup/drop-off (you meet at the port) Food or drinks Wetsuits (if you want to swim comfortably in cold water) BEST FOR: Couples, families, small friend groups History and geology enthusiasts Photographers Adventure seekers willing to swim in cooler water First-time visitors to Polignano a Mare BOTTOM LINE: This is a must-do experience in Puglia. The combination of natural beauty, expert narration, cave exploration, and swimming opportunity makes it exceptional value. Don't skip it due to cooler November temperatures – the experience is worth it year-round!

We enjoyed every minute of this wonderful experience. The instructor and translator were both so lovely. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn how to make focaccia and orecchiette the authentic way while having fun with a wonderful group of people.

One of the nicest experience we had in a holiday! The dinner in a vineyard, the sunset, the atmosphere were absolutely stunning! The staff is wonderful and the company of other tourists from all over the world made the evening a real pleasure. We will definitely come back!

An absolutely wonderful wine and food tasting experience, with an even better sunset in the background. Besides the beautiful wine and food, the information on the farm and grapes shared by our guide was extremely interesting. To top it all off, we managed to meet some wonderful people stretching from Brazil to Norway and Poland to Australia. Even if you don’t like wine, we strongly recommend that you make the effort to give it a try as you will not be disappointed!