Top Puglia Cooking Classes - page 8

Great experience! Our Nonna took us through the steps of how to make pasta dough and then we made orecchiette pasta. She then taught us how to make the Succo (sauce). Next, we all sat down to locally made focaccia bread, burrata and meat. Then second course of our handmade orecchiette pasta and wine. Followed by delicious almond dessert and coffee. It was delicious and such a fun, education experience!

As well as seeing the cows and petting the calves, it was interesting to see the milking parlour ans fridges before the display in the dairy and getting to hand mold some mozzarella. It was informative, fun and the aperitivo was very good. There is a small shop there too with lovely local products including the cheese made on-site.

It was a great introduction to Lecce! Nadia was a wonderful guide and shared the perfect amount of history and architecture about the city. They were light snacks but filled us up, so something to keep in mind with timing / dinner plans. Would recommend to others wanting to explore the city!

Lots of delicious food, and fascinating information about the city's history and culture. Very fun to try the octopus sandwich! (it tasted like shrimp--surprisingly very good). Be sure to come hungry; there's a wide variety of Italian foods in large quantities. And be prepared to walk quite a distance.

This was absolutely one of the best boating excursions I have had an opportunity to experience. Daniele and Vittoria were so professional and hardworking and fun. You could tell they enjoyed what they do and they do an amazing job. The boat and the views were gorgeous and the food and beverages provided were delicious. Highly recommend if you want some amazing views of Polignano a Mare and as Daniele said, a “refreshing” dip in the Adriatic.

My husband and I went on a walking cultural tour of Bari visiting several piazzas and churches including the beautiful Cathedrale of San Nicola. Alessia was lovely and very knowledgeable and we learnt so much about the history of this beautiful city. Afterwards we did a pasta experience with Anna and Mariella they were lovely. We made orichiette with Mariella, she was very patient with us. Then she served orichiette with tomato sugo and Primitivo wine to us. Delicious.

If you go here in the beginning of April, dress warmly! Host supplied blankets for all, but it was quite cold. Temperature aside, the host was engaging and entertaining. The vineyard is set in an idyllic area and the building is an absolutely charming trulli house. The wines were very good..along with the champagne. Snacks were provided between each tasting, and they were all made on site. The whole experience was a delight and the ride to get to the vineyard was beautiful through the countryside. I highly recommend this experience, but dress warmly!

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!