Italian Escapes Bari & Lecce: Street Food Experience 4* - 5 Days / 4 Nights

Day 1:

Welcome to Bari! Meet your driver at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy your first day in the city at your own leisure. Overnight stay. 

Day 2:

After breakfast at your hotel, make your own way to the meeting point at 10:45 AM (Via Vallisa, 81 - B).  
Enjoy a guided walk through the historic heart of the San Nicola district, wandering among its charming maze of narrow streets and hidden courtyards. The tour begins in the lively Piazza Ferrarese and Piazza Mercantile, once the city’s main social and commercial centers, before continuing into the Nicolaian quarter to admire the impressive Basilica of San Nicola. The itinerary proceeds with visits to the Romanesque Cathedral and the imposing Swabian Castle, followed by a stop at a traditional local shop, a landmark of the area since 1866. Continue through the iconic Arco Basso, where you can observe local artisans handcrafting pasta along the famous “Orecchiette Street,” and conclude the experience with a tasting of freshly baked focaccia or artisanal gelato.  
Rest of the day at your own total disposal. Overnight stay. 

Day 3:

After breakfast at your hotel, at the time indicated, head to Bari train station to reach Lecce. Once there, make your own way to your hotel, check in at the hotel. 

Day 4:

After breakfast at your hotel, meet your guide at 10:30 AM ( or at 05:45 PM except on Sundays) in Porta Rudiae and start an an unforgettable Experience, immersive food tour that amounts to a full meal—or even more! Our dedicated local guide will take you on a culinary journey through Lecce's historic center, exploring authentic Salento flavors based on the best seasonal ingredients available. The tour offers a comprehensive tasting journey through Lecce's savory and sweet specialties.   

Based on availability and seasonality, there will be 4 tastings included among the following:   

Rustico: A beloved symbol of Lecce’s snack culture, the rustico is a warm, flaky pastry filled with silky béchamel, stretchy mozzarella, and a touch of tomato. You’ll often see locals enjoying it at mid-morning or aperitivo time at the bar. Bite into the crisp, golden shell and you’ll understand why this humble street snack is a true delight.   

Puccia: Born from the rustic traditions of Salento, the puccia is a wood-fired, round bread split open and stuffed to the brim. Fillings can range from grilled sausage and local cheeses to sun-dried tomatoes, seasonal vegetables, and fragrant olive oil. It’s the kind of street food workers, students, and families grab on the go – a portable feast that captures the generous, countryside flavors of Puglia in one hearty bite.   

Pittule: Pittule are golden fritters that appear on every Lecce table when there’s something to celebrate – from Christmas markets to village festivals. The dough is light and airy, sometimes plain, sometimes enriched with olives, capers, or anchovies for a briny kick. Eaten steaming hot from the paper bag, they tell the story of Salento’s simple, shared family recipes that have turned leftover dough into irresistible street food.   

Caffè Leccese: More than just a drink, Caffè Leccese is a summertime ritual across Salento’s cafés. Intense espresso is poured over ice and sweetened with almond syrup, a nod to the region’s centuries-old almond-growing tradition. The result is a refreshing, layered coffee that’s both velvety and energizing – locals linger over it in shaded piazzas while the afternoon heat shimmers on Lecce’s baroque stone façades.   

Pasticciotto: The pasticciotto is Lecce’s most iconic pastry, traditionally enjoyed warm for breakfast at the bar. A shortcrust shell, just firm enough to hold, cradles a rich, silky custard that melts as you bite. First created in nearby Galatina in the 18th century, this little tart has become a proud emblem of Salento’s pastry art – simple, generous, and deeply comforting with every spoonful of coffee alongside.   

Fruttone: With its glossy chocolate glaze and heart of almond paste, fruttone is a classic dessert of Lecce’s convent baking tradition. Beneath the dark coating, you’ll find a dense, fragrant almond filling that sometimes hides a layer of jam or candied fruit. Once reserved for feast days and religious celebrations, today it brings a taste of the city’s sweet heritage to pastry counters, one carefully crafted bite at a time.   

Gelato: In Lecce, gelato is an evening ritual as much as a dessert. Artisan gelaterie churn flavors that celebrate Salento’s produce: intense pistachio, roasted almond, figs from nearby countryside, or tart seasonal fruits. Strolling past baroque churches with a cone in hand, you’ll understand how locals turn a simple gelato into a slow, sweet way of enjoying the city’s golden twilight streets.   

Local Beer: Lecce’s emerging craft beer scene pairs regional character with modern creativity. Small breweries experiment with local grains, citrus, and Mediterranean herbs, producing refreshing lagers and aromatic ales that match beautifully with salty fritters and rich cheeses. Sipping a cold pint in a lively piazza, you’ll taste how contemporary Salento is reinterpreting its agricultural roots one glass at a time.  

Overnight stay.  

Day 5:

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Brindisi airport or Lecce train station. End of our services.