Piccolo Tour Itineraries

Come and take your seat at our table.

If Italy is already calling your name this October, imagine giving yourself three nights to experience a different side of Puglia.

Not simply visiting.

Living it. Cooking it. Tasting it.

Stay with us in a beautiful traditional Puglian Masseria, discover the local producers we love, gather ingredients from the source and come home to cook together.

This is Tavolissima Piccolo — a small-group, immersive Puglian food experience created for travellers who want to experience more of Italy, even when they only have a few days to spare.

START YOUR TAVOLISSIMA JOURNEY

Traditionally Tavolissima offers a week-long cooking school immersions in the heart of Puglia, welcoming guests from around the world to experience authentic Italian food, culture and connection. This October, for the first time and as a special one-off opportunity, we're opening two exclusive Piccolo Tours designed for travellers who dream of joining us but have limited time in Italy. With a small number of places available on our October 26 tour, guests can now choose a curated 3-night, 2-day culinary escape, enjoying hands-on cooking classes, unforgettable local flavours, and the warm hospitality of Southern Italy. If you've always wanted to experience life at an Italian cooking school but couldn't commit to a full week, this is your chance to discover the magic of Puglia in a shorter, intimate format.

3 different ways to experience Puglia in October 2026

  • The full 7-night Tavolissima Experience - nights of Saturday 10 to Friday 16 October

  • Piccolo Tour 1 – the first half of the experience - nights of Saturday 10, Sunday 11 and Monday 12 October

  • Piccolo Tour 2 – the second half of the experience - nights of Wednesday 14, Thursday 15 and Friday 16 October

Saturday 10th — Benvenuti a Tavolissima

Your journey begins with a private transfer from Bari Airport or Train Station to our villa nestled among ancient olive trees.

From 4:00pm, settle into your room, wander the gardens, a dip in the pool or take a gentle riposo before the week ahead.

As the sun softens, join us for a welcome aperitivo — a glass of local wine in hand as we introduce the week’s program and the story of Tavolissima.

At 8:00pm, gather under the olive grove for a rustic Puglian dinner prepared by Chef Nino Servedio, paired with wines from nearby vineyards. The table is set, the olive oil glows golden — your first taste of Puglia begins.

2026 Piccolo Tour 1: 10-11-12 October

Sunday 11th — The Flavours of the Land

After breakfast, we set out for Acquaviva, home to one of Puglia’s most celebrated Primitivo vineyards. Taste the deep, sun-warmed reds of the region and, if in season, visit a local farm where the famous Acquaviva onion is grown.

Return to the villa for a leisurely lunch, then roll up your sleeves for an afternoon pasta masterclass — learning the secrets of orecchiette and cavatelli.

Evening brings an aperitivo at sunset, followed by dinner prepared by you, enjoyed around the long table with your new culinary companions.

Monday 12th — The Taste of the Sea

After breakfast, head to the local fishing port to meet the fishmongers and choose the day’s catch. Wander the market stalls, feel the salt air, and experience Puglia’s coastal rhythm.

Lunch is a street-food experience, sampling traditional bites like panzerotti and frittura di mare.

In the afternoon, return to the villa for a hands-on seafood class — preparing the fish you selected that morning.

As always, the evening unfolds with an aperitivo, laughter, and a meal cooked by your own hands, shared with a glass (or two) of crisp local white.

Tuesday 13th — Arrivederci for Piccolo Tour 1

After enjoying a leisurely breakfast, transfers depart for Bari Airport or Train Station — hearts (and recipe books) full, ready to bring a little of Puglia home with you.

For guests continuing for the full 7-night experience:

This morning we journey to Ostuni, the White City, for coffee, shopping, and market wandering. Join Nino as he visits his trusted butcher and cheese maker, selecting the freshest local ingredients for tonight’s feast.

Back at the villa, enjoy a lunch under the pergola, then dive into a meat and pasta class, creating a meal that celebrates the region’s rustic generosity.

 The afternoon is yours — swim, read, nap, or simply watch the light shift across the valley.
At sunset, gather again for aperitivo and dinner, prepared with your own artistry.


2026 Piccolo Tour 2: 14-15-16 October

Wednesday 14th — Benvenuti a Tavolissima

For guests joining us for the Piccolo Tour, aim to arrive before 11:00am if possible. The market takes place just once a week, from 8:00am–1:00pm, so depending on your arrival time, you’ll have the opportunity to join us for a wander through the market and experience the buzz of local life. Private transfers from Bari Airport or Bari Train Station are included to bring you directly to the markets.

Guests on the 7-night experience will explore the vibrant fruit and vegetable market, bursting with seasonal colour — artichokes, fava beans, eggplant and wild greens.

Return to the villa for a late lunch, followed by an afternoon produce masterclass, where you’ll learn how to transform simple vegetables and local ingredients into deeply satisfying dishes.

Then, the rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy. Pool, prosecco, peace.

As the sun softens, join us for a welcome aperitivo — a glass of local wine in hand as we introduce the program and share the story of Tavolissima.

At 8:00pm, gather beneath the olive grove for a rustic Puglian dinner prepared by Chef Nino Servedio, paired with wines from nearby vineyards.

Thursday 15th — The Cheese & Bread of Puglia

This morning we visit a local caseificio (cheese farm) to meet the artisans who handcraft mozzarella and burrata. Enjoy a tasting lunch at the farm — simple, rich, unforgettable.

Back at the villa, the kitchen fills with the smell of warm dough as we begin our bread workshopfocaccia barese, pizza, and taralli.

Late afternoon invites rest, before our familiar rhythm of aperitivo and dinner — rustic, real, and always delicious.

Friday 16th — Olives & Pasta

After breakfast, we wander through the olive groves and uncover the secrets of Puglian olive oil, tasting liquid gold straight from the press.

Back at the villa, enjoy a relaxed lunch beneath the trees, followed by a slow, sun-drenched afternoon — take a dip in the pool, stroll to the beach, or indulge in a long siesta. Then roll up your sleeves for an afternoon pasta masterclass.

The group comes together for a final dinner of ragù prepared by Nino together with your handmade pasta..

Saturday 17th — Arrivederci

Enjoy a final leisurely breakfast, taking in the last morning light over the olive groves.
At 10:00am, transfers depart for Bari Airport or Train Station — hearts (and recipe books) full, ready to bring a little of Puglia home with you.

A Note on the Journey

Every detail of this itinerary has been carefully curated to create a beautiful flow — but, as with all good things in Italy, a touch of flexibility keeps the magic alive.

• Sometimes the weather is perfect, and the sea calls for a swim.
• A village festa might tempt us to join in the celebration.
• Perhaps the wind makes a boat trip impossible — or simply more adventure than we planned.
• We may decide that dinner is better shared indoors.
• And there may be a day when cooking gives way to the pleasure of doing nothing at all.

At Tavolissima, we follow the rhythm of Puglia — guided by the seasons, the sky, and the joy of the moment.

Book a Place at Our Table

What’s Included

Your days of cooking, exploring, and living like a local in Puglia is fully taken care of. Every detail is thoughtfully curated to make your experience effortless, authentic, and truly unforgettable.

Included in your tour:

  • Private arrival & departure transfers
    From Bari Airport or Train Station to the villa on arrival, with return transfers at the end of your stay.

  • All transportation
    For day trips, market visits, and evening excursions as outlined.

  • All meals as per the itinerary

  • Daily buffet breakfast

  • Lunches on scheduled activity days

  • Hands-on dinners prepared by you under the guidance of our host, Nino

  • Pre-dinner drinks each evening

  • Locally sourced red & white wine served with meal

  • Nightly tourist taxes (tassa di soggiorno)

What’s Not Included

A few things sit outside the package:

  • Flights to and from Italy

  • Meals not specified in the itinerary

  • Additional beverages such as spirits (If a negroni is not your preference)

Pricing

October 2026 Tour

Piccolo Special

3 nights, 2 days in Puglia:

10-11-12 October 2026 OR

14-15-16 October 2026

Guide price:

  • $2400 + GST per double based on double share

  • $1750 + GST per person for single room occupancy

7-night Tavolissima Experience (for October 2026 tour only)

Guide price:

  • $6000 + GST per double based on double share

  • $4600 + GST per person for single room occupancy

Terms and conditions:

Cancellation Policy: Due to the boutique nature of our tours and limited guest capacity, all bookings are non-cancellable after confirmation. Guests are required to obtain international travel insurance to provide coverage in circumstances such as medical issues or other unforeseen reasons for cancellation. We will require a copy of your travel insurance at time of confirmation.

Dietary Requirements and Allergies
Tavolissima is a communal cooking and dining experience based on fixed menus prepared with seasonal local produce. Due to the nature of the experience, Tavolissima DOES NOT accommodate individual dietary preferences, lifestyle diets, meal substitutions, or personalised menu modifications.

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'It felt like staying with old friends who happen to be incredible cooks.' — Sarah, Melbourne