Arrive in Puglia and step into our restored monastery, set among olive groves and open countryside. The afternoon is intentionally slow, giving you time to unpack, explore the space, wander the grounds, or simply sit and take in your surroundings as the pace begins to soften.

As the day draws to a close, we gather for a welcome circle and aperitivo, our first shared moment together. This gentle introduction flows into a communal dinner, where we come together to meet, connect, and set the tone for the week ahead, grounded in food, conversation, and presence.

Awaken to a leisurely morning and enjoy a delightful breakfast featuring freshly baked pastries, cakes, and seasonal produce, along with savoury delights to fuel your day.

Today, we embark on a journey into Puglia’s rich traditions. First, we’ll visit a local cheese maker to explore the art of cheese making, a sensory experience that connects you deeply to the region’s dairy heritage.

After indulging in the delights of cheese, we’ll return to the monastery in the late afternoon. Take this time to wander through the charming streets, marvel at the baroque and rococo architecture, and perhaps find a cozy café for an espresso. Enjoy this moment to soak in the vibrant life of the town at your own pace.

As evening approaches, we gather for a curated dinner experience, savouring local flavours together. It’s the perfect setting to share stories from the day and forge deeper connections. After dinner, we’ll return to the monastery, hearts and bellies full, under the enchanting Puglian stars.

After breakfast, the morning centres on pasta, one of Puglia’s most iconic culinary traditions.

Late morning into early afternoon, we gather for a hands-on pasta workshop. You’ll work with egg-based doughs and filled shapes, as well as semolina and water doughs like orecchiette and cavatelli. Along the way, you’ll learn about flour types, texture, and how sauces are paired not by rule, but by instinct and season.

Following a light lunch, the afternoon is free. Swim, rest, read, or enjoy quiet time around the monastery. In the evening, we come back together for dinner, featuring the dishes you’ve created throughout the day.

Bread takes centre stage today, explored as both nourishment and ritual.

After breakfast, we move into Il Pane, a workshop focused on focaccia barese and taralli. You’ll knead, shape, and bake, while also hearing stories of bread, home, and community, and how these simple foods carry meaning far beyond the table.

Lunch is light, and the afternoon is left open for rest, pool time, or quiet reflection. As evening arrives, we gather once more for dinner together, continuing the rhythm of shared meals and conversation.

An early breakfast sets the tone for a day shaped by the sea.

We head to a local seafood market in Gallipoli, where you’ll experience the colours, sounds, and movement of the morning catch. Conversations with local fishmongers offer insight into seasonality, sustainability, and Mediterranean fishing traditions.

Late morning into early afternoon, we return to the kitchen for a seafood-focused cooking workshop, using what the sea has provided that day. Lunch is light and fresh, followed by relaxed free time.

In the evening, we gather for a seafood feast, celebrating the simplicity and generosity of coastal Puglian cooking.

After breakfast, we turn our attention to sweetness and celebration.

Late morning brings a dessert workshop dedicated to Southern Italian favourites. You’ll learn to make pasticciotto alongside a second regional dessert, exploring how sweets mark everyday life, gatherings, and moments of joy.

After a light lunch, the afternoon is yours for packing, journaling, swimming, or simply sitting with the week’s experiences. Our final evening is marked by a farewell dinner and closing reflections, a chance to share stories, gratitude, and the connections formed over the week.

We share a final breakfast together before check-out and departures begin. There’s time for a last coffee or gentle walk, lingering conversations, and unhurried goodbyes before each journey continues onward.

Accommodation

• 6x nights accommodation in a private double room with ensuite 

Food

• 6x daily breakfast

• 6x daily dinners

• Select lunches

Drinks

• Still & sparkling water with all meals

• Wine included lunch & dinners (limits apply)

Experiences

• Daily hands-on culinary workshops led by local artisans

• Pasta, bread, pastry, fish, cheese & preserves

• Wine & olive oil tastings

• Seafood market tour in Gallipoli

Transport

• Arrival & departure transfer from Brindisi airport (times allocated 2 months prior to departure)

• All transport during retreat in air conditioned vehicle