From sea to soul

Day 1 – Saturday, June 13th

From Rome to Bari

Our journey begins in the South.

In the afternoon, we fly from Rome to Bari, where the air already carries the warmth of the Adriatic and the slower rhythm of Southern Italy. Upon arrival, we pick up the car and make our way into the heart of Bari Vecchia, where time seems to fold in on itself.

After settling into our accommodation, we step outside and immediately find ourselves immersed in a world of narrow alleys, open doors, and everyday life unfolding in the streets. Women prepare fresh pasta by hand, children play between stone walls, voices echo softly in the distance.

We visit the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, a place of deep history and quiet presence, before letting ourselves wander freely through the old town.

As the day softens into evening, we begin our journey with an aperitivo, followed by dinner in Bari Vecchia.

Day 2 – Sunday, June 14th

From Bari to the White City

We start the day slowly.

A quiet breakfast, either at the accommodation or in a local bar, where coffee is strong and mornings feel unhurried. Before leaving Bari, we take one last walk through its streets, letting the atmosphere settle in.

We then head south towards the coast, stopping in Polignano a Mare, suspended between sky and sea. We walk through its white streets, take in the views, and enjoy lunch overlooking the Adriatic.

After a coffee by the sea, we continue inland towards Ostuni.

The White City rises gently on the horizon, glowing in the afternoon light. After check-in, we explore its alleys, viewpoints, and hidden corners.

An aperitivo at sunset and dinner in town close the day.

As always, the day may include opportunities for informal wine tastings and encounters with local flavors.

Day 3 – Monday, June 15th

Flavors, Stone and Sea

The morning unfolds at our own pace in Ostuni.

After breakfast, we drive to Ceglie Messapica, a town deeply rooted in culinary tradition. We walk through its streets, step into small botteghe, and experience the authenticity of daily life.

Lunch is a highlight, at Cibus or Piaceri e Tradizioni, where cuisine expresses the richness of the land.

In the afternoon, we continue through a landscape of ancient olive trees and masserie, arriving in Carovigno. We visit the castle and take time to absorb the quiet character of the town.

Later, we reach Torre Guaceto, a protected natural reserve by the sea. A walk along the shore and an aperitivo at sunset create a moment of pure stillness.

We return to Ostuni for a relaxed dinner followed by an evening walk through the White City’s alleys and tiny, hidden squares.

Wine remains a constant presence throughout the day, whether structured or spontaneous.

Day 4 – Tuesday, June 16th

Baroque, Sea and Southern Soul

After another sumptuos breakfast in Ostuni, we begin our exploration of Salento.

After an optional stop in Mesagne, pearl of North Salento, we arrive in Lecce, a city of Baroque beauty and vibrant energy. We walk through Piazza Duomo and Santa Croce, then move through the streets, entering a library, an artisan workshop, a gallery. Lecce is not only to be seen, but to be lived.

A pause for a cappuccino allows us to simply observe the rhythm of the city.

After lunch, we then continue through the Salento, stopping in Galatina, known for its layered history and quiet elegance, and in Galatone, a more intimate and authentic village.

Depending on the moment, we explore either the Adriatic (San Cataldo or Torre dell’Orso) or Ionian coast (Porto Cesareo), allowing the landscape and light to guide us.

The journey naturally leads us to Gallipoli, where the old town opens onto the sea, offering a different perspective of the region.

Gallipoli is logically followed by a visit to a winery in the Manduria area, where we experience a tasting of Primitivo, one of the most expressive wines of Southern Italy (Agricola Felline, Soloperto, Cantolio, Museo Del Vino Primitivo).

We return to Ostuni for the evening.

Day 5 – Wednesday, June 17th

Into the Green Heart

A day of transition, yet rich in atmosphere.

After breakfast and check-out, we return to Bari and fly back to Rome. From Fiumicino Airport, we continue by car toward Umbria.

The landscape shifts gradually. The light softens, the rhythm slows, and a new chapter begins.

By mid-afternoon, we arrive in Orvieto, a town suspended above the valley. After check-in, we walk through its streets, visit the Duomo and/or the Pozzo di San Patrizio, and allow the timeless atmosphere to unfold.

An aperitivo along the corso, followed by dinner at Il Pozzo Etrusco, marks the beginning of our Umbrian experience.

Wine becomes more central here, offering deeper insight into the territory.

Day 6 – Thursday, June 18th

Hills, Silence and Timeless Places

We begin the day gently in Orvieto, with a slow start and a final moment to take in its quiet, suspended atmosphere.

From here, we set off through the Umbrian countryside, heading first towards Titignano. The road unfolds through open landscapes and soft hills, until we reach this hidden hamlet overlooking the lake, where time seems to stand still. We pause, take in the views, and let the silence settle.

From Titignano, we continue to Decugnano dei Barbi, where a wine tasting awaits us. This becomes a natural aperitivo moment, an introduction to the wines and the identity of the Orvieto territory, experienced directly through the land and the people who shape it.

From there, we move to Civitella del Lago (my birthplace), a tiny medieval village perched on ancient castle walls, where we stop for lunch at Trattoria da Zio Cencio or Ristorante Trippini (both highly rated in the Michelin Guide). Here, the cuisine is deeply rooted, authentic, and expressive of the territory, with breathtaking views over the lake stretching toward Orvieto, Mount Amiata, and far beyond.

In the afternoon, we continue towards Monte Castello di Vibio, a perfectly preserved mediaeval village. We walk through its quiet streets and visit the Teatro della Concordia, the smallest theatre in the world, a place of surprising beauty and intimacy.

The journey then leads us to Todi, where we take time to explore the town, its alleys, and its viewpoints, absorbing its calm and balanced atmosphere.

From Todi, we continue towards Massa Martana, with the possibility of a stop at Villa Sobrano for an optional wine tasting, should we wish to extend the experience.

As the day draws to a close, we drive through the countryside towards Abbazia di Collemedio, where we arrive, settle in, and let the day gently come to rest.

Day 7 – Friday, June 19th

Power, Art and the Soul of Sagrantino

This is the day we dedicate to the terroir of Sagrantino, one of the most powerful and distinctive expressions of Italian wine.

After breakfast, we pass through Bevagna for a quick stop to experience one of the most beautiful and well preserved medieval villages of Umbria. Then we drive to Montefalco, where we visit Arnaldo Caprai, the true pioneer of Sagrantino. Through vision, research, and dedication, Caprai has transformed this once obscure grape into one of the most respected wines in Italy. The visit and tasting offer a deep dive into both the wine and the story behind it, connecting us directly with the identity of the territory.

In the afternoon, we continue to Tenuta Carapace, a place where architecture, landscape, and wine come together in a truly unique way. The estate itself is a work of art by the worldwide famous Italian archistar Giò Pomodoro, perfectly integrated into the surrounding hills. Here, Sagrantino reaches one of its highest expressions, and this year stands as the leading wine of the appellation.

We then move through Foligno, letting the town unfold naturally along the way, before reaching Rasiglia, a small village shaped by water. We take a gentle walk through its streams and channels, where the sound of flowing water creates a calm and almost suspended atmosphere.

By late afternoon, we arrive in Perugia, a city layered with history, energy, and perspective. We walk through its streets, taking in its character and rhythm as the day begins to soften.

Dinner and overnight in Perugia.

Day 8 – Saturday, June 20th

Where the Landscape Begins to Speak

Some places are not just seen, they are felt.

We begin the day in Perugia, leaving the city behind as we move towards Lake Trasimeno.

Our first stop is Passignano sul Trasimeno, where we walk along the lake, letting the landscape open and set the tone for what follows.

From there, we continue to Madrevite Winery for a tasting overlooking the lake, experiencing a side of Umbria shaped by light, water, and quiet balance.

After the tasting, we reach Castiglione del Lago, where we take time to walk through the town, absorb its elevated views and atmosphere and have lunch.

From here, the journey becomes more intentional.

We pass through Città della Pieve, stopping briefly for a cappuccino, but the real focus begins as we continue towards Monteleone d’Orvieto. The road unfolds through open countryside, gentle hills, vineyards, and scattered homes, this is where the landscape starts to speak in a different way.

In Monteleone d’Orvieto, we take time to walk through the village and its surroundings, allowing space to observe, imagine, and connect with the place.

We then continue through the countryside via Ficulle, as the landscape becomes quieter and more intimate.

By late afternoon, we arrive at Borgo San Faustino, where we settle in and let the day come to a natural close.

Day 9 – Sunday, June 21st

A Different Kind of Ending

The final day carries a different energy.

After breakfast, we head to Narni, walking through the upper part of the town and absorbing its quiet presence.

We then reach the Marmore Falls, where the force of nature creates a moment of awe and stillness.

From there, we continue to Casteldilago for lunch at Osteria dello Sportello, a place suspended above the valley, where everything slows down.

In the afternoon, we drive through the countryside around Monteleone di Spoleto, with the possibility of a stop in Spoleto, before arriving in Assisi, where the journey gently comes to a close, leaving space for what comes next.

What’s Included