March 2026: New Tour to Puglia & Matera
Burrata, focaccia, and orecchiette with Sophie next spring!
As a premium subscriber to this newsletter, you are the first to know about our newest tour. I’ve just added a new tour to Puglia & Matera in March 2026 with Sophie. (Please note: This announcement will go out to all subscribers in 3 days on June 29)
Since the last tours we announced to Puglia sold out so quickly, we’ve just added a new tour to our schedule for spring 2026!
The Culture of Food in Puglia & Matera with Sophie Minchilli
March 15 – 21, 2026
Puglia is on everyone’s wish list, but this tour is a little different. It begins in Bari, the vibrant seaside capital of Puglia, which many people tend to overlook. We love it! It’s where the Italian half of our family lives, and we’re always excited to share its hidden corners with guests.
We’ll spend the first four nights in Bari, exploring the city and using it as a base to visit central Puglia. We’re staying in a hotel right on the sea, with each room offering a balcony and a view of the sea. We over look the majestic boardwalk, which was designed by Sophie’s great-grandfather in the early 20th century,
Later in the week, we’ll move on to Basilicata for the final two nights of the tour, staying in the extraordinary town of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its ancient cave dwellings. Our hotel, Sextantio, is unlike anywhere else: each guest will have their own luxurious cave room. Imagine waking up in a stone cave that has been designed with luxurious modern amenities while maintaining the aesthetic of a bygone way of life. It is a truly unique hotel and an experience in itself.
A few highlights:
Welcome drinks and seafood dinner in Bari
Guided tour of Bari Vecchia with a visit to the famous ‘Pasta Ladies’
Spaghetti all’Assassina demonstration (where Sophie took Stanley Tucci!)
A visit to an olive oil mill and tasting
Visit to Cisternino and lunch in a butcher’s shop
Cheese-making lesson and lunch on a local farm
Visit to UNESCO-protected Alberobello, famous for its Trulli houses
Ancient bakery and cheese-making in Altamura
Pastries of the ancient monastery of Santa Chiara
Guided tours of Locorotondo, Martina Franca, and Matera
Tour Details:
When: March 15-21, 2026
Where: You’ll be based in Bari (Puglia) and Matera (Basilicata)
Group size: Limited to 12 guests
What’s included: Six nights and five very full days of food, culture, and exploration, with private transportation in our 20-seat bus. But don’t worry, there’s also downtime built in to relax and explore Bari and Matera on your own.
How to find out more and sign up: Click the button below to view the full brochure, which includes pricing, itinerary, and booking instructions.
Please visit our website for our full schedule of tours. Via Rosa tours tend to sell out fast. To be the first to hear about new tours, and grab your spot, make sure you are signed up for the paying version of this newsletter.