Join Us For Flavors of Tastes & Traditions in Puglia - September 2027

Sep 14 - 21, 2027

A seven-night immersive culinary journey through the soul of southern Italy, where the hills of Orsara di Puglia, the kitchen gardens of Piano Paradiso, and the elegant suites of Villa Jamele create a deeply flavorful stay. This is a trip for travelers who want to do more than taste Puglia — they want to live it, from vineyard-to-table meals and hands-on cooking classes to meaningful day trips that awaken all five senses.

This Puglia experience holds a special place in my heart, and I am so excited to share it with you.

In October 2025, Nick and I had the privilege of visiting Orsara di Puglia and meeting Chef Peppe Zullo. We toured both of his properties, and I immediately fell in love with his philosophy, his land, and the soul of the entire experience. Peppe describes his approach as “simple food for intelligent people,” and that idea stayed with me long after I left. It is thoughtful, honest, deeply rooted in the land, and beautifully expressive of the region itself.

During that visit, we harvested herbs and vegetables from the garden, dined at Peppe Zullo Restaurant next to the Nuova Sala Paradiso, toured the wine cellar, sampled wines, and I even had the privilege of cooking with Chef Peppe Zullo himself. It was one of those rare travel moments that stays with you — not just because of what you see, but because of how fully you feel welcomed into a place.

That is why this group journey is so meaningful. I want to share this extraordinary estate with you — the food, the wines, the landscape, the hospitality, and the inspiration behind it all. You will not simply visit Puglia; you will be invited into its rhythm, its flavors, and its traditions in a way that feels personal and authentic.

At the heart of the experience is Peppe Zullo’s International Cooking School at Villa Jamele, located within the estate and surrounded by the vegetable garden, vineyard, woodland, and farm buildings. Much of what is used in the kitchen comes directly from the surrounding land, creating a true farm-to-table experience. The school offers a professional teaching kitchen, a small resort with 10 rooms for up to 20 students, and access to Ristorante nell’Orto, where Peppe’s dream of bringing products and creativity “from the farm to the table” is brought vividly to life.

This is a journey for travelers who want to savor the food, delight in the wines, soak in the natural beauty of the destination, and learn from one of Puglia’s most passionate culinary ambassadors. It is immersive, memorable, and deeply connected to place.

  • Overview

    You are invited to experience Puglia through its kitchens, gardens, villages, and traditions on a seven-night journey designed for travelers who want more than sightseeing — they want a true sense of place. From the hilltop countryside of Orsara di Puglia to the coast, salt flats, medieval towns, and sacred sites, this itinerary brings you into the heart of southern Italy through food, culture, and immersive daily experiences.

    You will stay at two extraordinary Peppe Zullo properties: Piano Paradiso and Villa Jamele. At Piano Paradiso, you will be surrounded by the estate’s gardens, vineyards, orchards, and culinary spaces, where the philosophy is simple and unforgettable. What grows on the land inspires what is served at the table. At Villa Jamele, you will enjoy the elegance of a restored historic villa with a refined atmosphere just a short drive away. Together, these properties create a stay that feels intimate, authentic, and deeply connected to the spirit of Puglia.

  • What’s Included

    Your package includes:

    • 7 nights’ accommodation at Piano Paradiso and Villa Jamele
    • 4 cooking classes with Chef Peppe
    • Fully hosted touring days
    • Transfers throughout the itinerary, except for arrival and departure
    • All activities, lunches or tastings, dinners, museum admissions, and tours listed in the program

    Please note that some costs may be subject to a small increase in 2027 in the range of 5% of the final amount.

  • Your Experience

    "This is the kind of journey where you do not simply visit Puglia — you step into it fully."

    When you arrive at Piano Paradiso, you are entering a working agricultural estate where every corner tells a story. The air feels fragrant with herbs and earth, the vineyards stretch out across the landscape, and the gardens supply the ingredients that shape your meals. Here, you are not only observing the farm-to-table philosophy — you are living it. You will harvest herbs and vegetables from the property, then use those ingredients in your cooking classes to create dishes that are as fresh and local as possible.

    Chef Peppe Zullo’s approach is rooted in the belief that food is an expression of happiness, seasonality, and connection to the land. The experience is warm, generous, and intimate, with each cooking class bringing you closer to the flavors and traditions that define Apulia.

    Your day trips are equally rich in atmosphere and sensation. In Lucera, you will wander through a town shaped by history and fortress walls. In Troia, you will discover Romanesque beauty and taste a beloved local dessert. In Bovino, you will explore cobbled streets, noble architecture, and artisanal food traditions. In Biccari and Faeto, you will experience mountain landscapes, forest flavors, cured meats, and regional ingredients that feel wonderfully rustic and real.

    You will also visit the salt flats of Margherita di Savoia, where the light shimmers over vast pink-hued basins and birds move across the water. In Monte Sant’Angelo, you will encounter sacred history and dramatic views over the Gargano. In Ascoli Satriano and Cerignola, you will discover ancient heritage, archaeological treasures, and traditions of craftsmanship that continue to shape the region today. Each day is designed to awaken your senses — from bread baked in a straw-fired oven to seafood on the coast, from handmade pasta to local wines, cheeses, and sweet convent-inspired treats.

    By the time you return to Piano Paradiso each evening, you will feel not only well fed, but deeply immersed in the rhythms, flavors, and soul of Puglia.

  • Why This Journey Is Special

    You will love this trip if you want:

    • A culinary experience that feels authentic, immersive, and hands-on
    • Beautiful countryside accommodations with a real sense of place
    • Small-group travel with fully hosted touring
    • Meaningful cultural experiences, not just sightseeing
    • A journey that blends food, history, landscape, and tradition

    This itinerary is designed for travelers who appreciate thoughtful details, memorable flavors, and the joy of discovering a destination through the people who know it best.

  • Reserve Your Place

    If this feels like your kind of journey, I invite you to join us in Puglia for a week of flavor, tradition, and unforgettable experiences.

    Your adventure begins with a 20% deposit, and your final balance will be due on June 16, 2027.

    If you are ready to experience the good life in southern Italy, this is your moment.

    Pricing and Deposit

    Please note that some costs may be subject to a small increase in 2027, in the range of up to 5% of the final amount.

    Estimated package costs per person

    • 6 pax, single occupancy: €3,920 per person
    • 6 pax, double occupancy: €3,590 per person
    • 10 pax, single occupancy: €3,450 per person
    • 10 pax, double occupancy: €3,200 per person

    20% deposit due at booking

    • 6 pax, single occupancy: €784 deposit per person
    • 6 pax, double occupancy: €718 deposit per person
    • 10 pax, single occupancy: €690 deposit per person
    • 10 pax, double occupancy: €640 deposit per person
  • Your Accommodations: Piano Paradiso

    At Piano Paradiso, you stay at the heart of Peppe Zullo’s culinary world. This expansive agricultural estate sits on a hill opposite Orsara di Puglia and follows a strict field-to-table philosophy. The property includes the original restaurant, the Nuova Sala Paradiso, La Cantina del Paradiso, the Suites del Paradiso, and extensive gardens, vineyards, orchards, and culinary growing spaces.

    This is where the journey feels most alive. You may find yourself dining on the day’s harvest, walking among the herbs, or relaxing with countryside views that make the whole experience feel grounded and serene. The estate is a celebration of Apulian culture, hospitality, and food traditions.

  • Your Accommodations: Villa Jamele

    Villa Jamele is a restored 1700s villa located a few kilometers down the road from Orsara di Puglia, toward Troia. It offers a beautiful historic setting, elegant surroundings, and guest rooms on the upper floor that create a calm and refined atmosphere.

    This property adds another dimension to your stay — a sense of heritage and quiet charm that pairs beautifully with the agricultural warmth of Piano Paradiso. Together, the two properties give you both comfort and character in a setting that feels unmistakably Apulian.

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Your Advisor

Mary Fisher

The Bon Vivant Traveler, LLC™

mary@thebvtraveler.com

3606353027