RMC presents
ITALY
A Journey to Beautiful Puglia
October 12 – 24, 2026
Feel the warm, resounding beat of southern Italy’s heart on the October 2026 Friends of Montauk trip.
Italy’s lesser-known locales leave a major impression—and nowhere more so than Puglia and Basilicata, the sun-drenched heel of the boot and one of Italy‘s most charming regions. Known for its never-ending coastline, whitewashed hill towns, and sublime food, the feeling here is quite different from the more familiar Mediterranean side of the country.
With the Adriatic Sea to the east and the Ionian Sea to the south, the region’s pretty coastal towns are perched high atop the rocks looking out over the turquoise waters. The towns themselves are clusters of low laying white houses punctuated by the occasional church spire. Its coastal position meant that Puglia was invaded and colonized many times, and each dynasty, from the Greeks, Romans and Byzantines, to the Normans and Spanish, left their historic mark.
And if that was not enough, the food in Puglia is some of the best in the country. Expect fresh burrata, incredible seafood and wonderfully rich and heart-warming peasant dishes.
We will be touring the region known for its food, wine and olive tastings … plus learn how to make burrata, bake bread and more unique tour inclusions on this most memorable holiday.
TOUR INCLUDES
- Round trip transportation from Montauk to JFK
- Round trip air to Italy
- 11 night’s outstanding hotel accommodations
- Hotel service charges and taxes
- Breakfast every day
- 5 lunches
- 8 dinners
- Transportation throughout by coach
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Sightseeing entrance fees
SPECIAL FEATURES
- Pasta cooking class
- Cheese making (Mozzarella AND Burrata) & tasting class
- Street Tasting Lunch in Bari
- Bread workshop and tasting in Matera
- Visit to the cave dwellings in Matera
- Lunch at a local Puglia seafood restaurant
- Cooking class and lunch at Orto Terra Madre
- Special dinner at Braceria with local grilling
- Olive Oil tasting and lunch
- Visit to local farmhouse vineyard along with wine tasting and farewell dinner
ITALY TOUR ITINERARY
1st day: Monday, October 12 – To Bari, Italy
Depart the East End for JFK to board our connecting flights for Bari, Italy.
2nd day- Tuesday, October 13: Arrival Bari. Onto Santo Stefano di Cassano (D)
Arrive in Rome to connect to our flight to Bari. After arrival, we will be escorted to our hotel where we will have some time to relax before our welcome dinner at our hotel.
3rd day- Wednesday, October 14: In Santo Stefano di Cassano (B)
This morning, we will have a SPECIAL scenic walk on an easy loop trail with some panoramic stops. Return to our hotel for lunch on our own. This evening, why not dine at a family-run trattoria specializing in fresh pasta tossed with basil-laced pesto alla genovese. Toast the start of your journey with a glass of Vermentino while lanterns glow overhead. Drift back to your accommodation lulled by the distant hum of cicadas and river currents.
4th day- Thursday, October 15: In Santo Stefano di Cassano (B/D)
A Free day in this the amazing 16th century village of Santo Stefano di Cessanio on the edge of the Campo Imperatore plain in the Gran Sasso National Park. Walking in town is an architectural delight with its archways, cobbled streets, Head to the town’s central piazza to sip an espresso at a sun-drenched café, listening to locals chat animatedly. Browse tiny artisan shops brimming with handmade ceramics and regional delicacies like squacquerone cheese. Lose track of time as you meander along the riverbank path, spotting swans gliding just offshore. This evening, we have dinner at our hotel.
5th day- Friday, October 16: To Trani and Bari (B/L/D)
After enjoying breakfast, we will check out of our hotel for a full day of touring as we make our way to Bari. The first stop is in Trani where we will have lunch served at a typical local restaurant by the port. It will be a chance to savor fresh regional specialties and local flavors. Following 
lunch, a guide of the town where we will explore the charming historic center, with its medieval streets and picturesque harbor and visit the iconic Trani Cathedral, a remarkable example of Apulian Romanesque architecture. The tour is expected to last around one to one and a half hours, providing insights into the city’s history, culture, and architectural highlights before we continue to Bari, where we will check in at our hotel and have time to relax before the evening. Dinner at our hotel.
6th day- Saturday, October 17: Discovering Bari (B/L)
This morning it’s a walking tour of Bari Vecchia, the atmospheric old town characterized by narrow streets, lively squares and everyday local life. Highlights include the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, one of the most important pilgrimage churches in Europe and a symbol of unity between Eastern and Western Christianity, as well as the 
Castello Svevo, originally built by the Norman king Roger II and later fortified by Emperor Frederick II. The walk continues along the elegant Lungomare, one of the most scenic seaside promenades in southern Italy. Our lunch features a street food tasting, allowing us to experience Bari’s culinary traditions with specialties such as focaccia barese, panzerotti, and sgagliozze. The afternoon are evening are free to independently walk along the waterfront and also dine at a typical local restaurants.
7th day- Sunday, October 18: In Bari. Touring to Matera, the City of Stone (B)
After breakfast, we depart for Matera, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Famous for its Sassi, ancient cave dwellings carved into limestone, Matera offers a unique landscape shaped by 
thousands of years of human history. Once a symbol of poverty, the city has undergone a remarkable transformation and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former European Capital of Culture. Our guided tour explores the Sassi districts, ancient churches, and panoramic viewpoints. The experience continues with a traditional “Matera Bread” workshop, where we learn about the centuries-old baking tradition that earned Matera’s bread a protected status. Return to our hotel for the balance of the day and evening free.
8th day- Monday, October 19: To Polignano a Mare and to Monopoli (B/D
After breakfast we depart for Polignano a Mare, dramatically perched on limestone cliffs above turquoise waters. Famous as the birthplace of singer Domenico Modugno, the town offers spectacular viewpoints, intimate streets, time for photos and a stroll through the historic center and having lunch on our own at one of the seaside restaurants. Then continue to Monopoli, a charming coastal town with whitewashed houses, a historic port, and traces of Greek, Roman, and medieval influence. Its old town preserves ancient walls, noble palaces and picturesque squares overlooking the sea. We end the day with arrival at our hotel accommodations, followed by dinner at our hotel.
9th day- Tuesday, October 20: In Monopoli. Excursion to Lecce, the Florence of the South (B/L/D)
A full-day excursion takes us to Lecce, often referred to as the “Florence of Southern Italy,” for its exuberant Baroque architecture. Built almost entirely from local golden limestone, the city flourished between the 16th 
and 18th centuries. A guided tour explores the historic center, including the richly decorated Duomo, Piazza Sant’Oronzo, and the remarkably preserved Roman Amphitheater, a reminder of Lecce’s ancient Roman origins. During the visit, we will enjoy a street food tasting of local specialties such as Pasticciotto, Puccio, Rustico, and the traditional caffè Leccese, blending espresso with almond syrup and ice. Return to our hotel in the late afternoon. Tonight, we will enjoy a Braceria BBQ dinner, showcasing grilled local meats and regional flavors.
10th day- Wednesday, October 21: In Monopoli: Tour to Alberobello and Puglian Cooking Traditions (B/L/D)
After breakfast we have a guided visit to Alberobello that introduces the iconic Trulli, unique dry-stone dwellings with conical roofs, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These structures date back to the 14th century and reflect ingenious construction 
techniques using local limestone.Lunch is included in a hands-on Puglian cooking class, held in an orchard setting. Here we will learn to prepare traditional pasta and fresh cheeses, gaining insight into the region’s agricultural and culinary heritage. In the afternoon, arrival at the selected Masseria, a traditional farmhouse that reflects Puglia’s local cultural heritage. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
11th day- Thursday, October 22: In Monopoli. Excursion to Ostuni and Olive Oil Tasting (B/L)
After breakfast and a short ride, we reach Ostuni, known as the “White City” for it limewashed houses that gleam under the southern sun. 
A guided tour of the historic center reveals layers of history from Messapian, Roman, medieval, and Renaissance periods. Our Ostuni experience continues with a stop at a local Masseria for some olive oil tasting, highlighting one of Puglia’s most important agricultural traditions. Lunch follows, featuring seasonal products and authentic rural cuisine. The afternoon is free for exploration before returning to our hotel and dinner on our own at one of the local restaurants.
12th day- Friday, October 23– In Monopoli: (B/D)
Most of the day is at leisure, offering time to relax at our hotel. In the later afternoon we visit a local winery, strolling among the vineyards and learning about Salento’s winemaking traditions. The day concludes with a wine tasting and farewell dinner at the vineyard, celebrating the flavors, landscapes, and cultural heritage of Puglia. Return to the hotel in the evening.
13th day- Saturday, October 24: To JFK (B)
After breakfast we will transfer to the airport in Bari for connecting flights back to New York via Rome. Same day arrival at JFK and then back to the East End.
Hotels or similar
Santo Stefano di Cassano (3 nights)
Sextantio Albergo Diffuso hotel. Set amidst a former medieval agricultural village, with views across the surrounding mountain range, this property oozes historic charm. Enter your room with the clink of a huge iron key and you will be pleasantly surprised by the ‘rustic-chic’ decor. Although there is nothing primitive about the handwoven rugs and throws, not to mention immersive baths and remote-controlled underfloor heating, this property will be a unique experience.
Bari (3 nights)
Nicolaus Hotel. In the heart of Poggiofranco, a lively neighborhood few steps away from Bari city center, The Nicolaus Hotel rises grand and elegant. Enjoy the best of our luxury and exclusive services, get started in efficient and functional spaces with the latest technologies. Live a contemporary and timeless experience. Mixing style and comfort, the Nicolaus rooms are an expression of the sophisticated refinement of the spaces.
Monopoli (5 nights)
Il Melogtano is an authentic enclave of the magnificent Apulian landscape, enveloped by the verdant embrace of ancient olive trees that amplify its beauty and character. It is renowned for being the first Masseria in Italy to host guests, unveiling the secrets of 400 years of history. Nestled in the countryside of Monopoli among centuries-old olive trees, this 17th-century farm is now a delightful resort. The slow rhythms draw a resort framed with the vibrant colors of the bougainvillea. A swimming pool and Spa among the olive trees, are a perfect venue where you can laze and relax.
Please Read the Terms and Conditions for this Tour
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PRICING
Per Person in Double Occupancy Room:
$5,899 payments via check
$6,199 payments via credit card
Per Person in Single Occupancy Room:
$7,098 payments via check
$7,469 payments via credit card
Upgrade to Premium Economy Class on Transatlantic Flights (8 seats available) – All 8 seats are now booked. Additional seats “On Request”
Extra legroom and ergonomic, extensively reclining seats. Dedicated cabin. Priority check-in, boarding and baggage claim. Baggage allowance: 2 x 23 kg checked bags
$1,119 supplement ($1,179 via credit card) PLUS tax
Upgrade to Business Class on Transatlantic Flights (10 seats available) – Only 2 seats left
$3,650 supplement ($3,839 via credit card) PLUS tax
Add to above costs:
U.S. airline facility security and tax charges to both Economy or Business Class $599 ($629 via credit card)
Prepaid Gratuities $175 ($185 via credit card)
Payments:
Initial Non-Refundable Deposit of $1,000 per person ($1,050 via credit card) is required to secure your space on the tour.
Note: $2,000 ($2,100 for credit cards) for Business Class travelers.
Final Payment is due on or before August 1, 2026.
If you have already registered and are looking for payment details, please click here.
Travel Insurance
As travel professionals, RMC Travel highly recommends travel insurance. Sometimes unexpected circumstances can arise. A sudden emergency just before or during your trip could spoil your vacation and deplete your resources.
We have recently seen some of our valued travelers lose not only their non-refundable deposits, but also their entire tour payments because they hoped they would not need trip cancellation insurance.
You should protect your trip investment and yourself in regards to health, property and trip payments. That is why we provide you with an easy way to contact BMSJ’s preferred insurance provider, Allianz Global Assistance. If you need additional information or have questions, please call Allianz directly at 1-800-284-8300, and refer to code F025323.
RMC Travel will be sending you additional details and a brochure with your confirmation on trip cancellation/interruption travel insurance
Photo credits:
Trani Cathedral: Isiwal/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsMatera
View from Sant’Agostino: Benjamin Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Polignano a Mare: Patrick Nouhailler’s…, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Amphitheatre (Lecce) Bernard Gagnon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Alberobello: Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Antiga muralla, Viale Oronzo Quaranta (Ostuni): Enric, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Focaccia:Leopold Nagelkerke, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Matera bread: Kars Alfrink, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Morning arrival in Amsterdam, where after Immigration and Customs, transfer on your own to our reserved accommodations. Time to relax and get used to the time change before we meet all our group travelers and we have a Welcome to Amsterdam dinner cruise. There is no better dinner experience for a more fitting to start a visit to Amsterdam than this. The cruise gently glides past many of the city’s most famous landmarks in all their nighttime glory, including the elegant merchant houses and former warehouses of the Canal Belt and the beautiful Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge). As you cruise, you will be served a wonderful dinner of freshly made dishes. Multilingual commentary will explain the highlights we encounter during the cruise, such as the old port area, Anne Frank House, and more. Upon completion of the cruise, we will be transferred back to our hotel.
Amsterdam is one of the most welcoming cities of Europe. The rich history of the country is still represented by the unique architecture of the 17th century canal houses, over a thousand bridges and canals reflecting ages of history Within a short time on our walking tour we will find ourselves in the heart of the city, passing many places of historic interest such as the Munt toren (Coin Tower) and the baroque Royal Palace which, upon its completion in 1655, was hailed as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’. We will see the 16th century Schreierstoren (Weeping Tower) which, according to legend, derived its name from the sailors’ wives who used to bid their 
The museum organizes regular exhibitions that highlight new aspects of art of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We end the tour at the Anne Frank House, a museum with a story. It was established on May 3, 1957 in cooperation with Otto Frank, Anne Frank’s father. The museum is located in the house where Anne Frank went into hiding during the Second World War. It contains a sobering exhibition about the persecution of the Jews during the war, as well as discrimination in general. As a visitor, you experience this story through quotes, photos, videos, and original items. The atmosphere in the museum is authentic and subdued. After the morning tour, we will have the afternoon and evening free for additional museum visits or a visit to the famous diamond center. Try dinner at one of the Amsterdam’s local restaurants.
2nd day- 
We arrive in Budapest from our connecting flight and clear Immigration and Customs. As boarding for our ship will not be until the late afternoon, we will have lunch at a local restaurant followed by panoramic tour of the “Queen of the Danube”. We will drive along magnificent boulevards and through quaint streets, while exploring Budapest’s highlights. We’ll pass the richly decorated, colossal Parliament, the Chain Bridge with its ancient triumphal arches, the Heroes’ Square, the Millennium Column towering high in the sky, the Opera House – one of the world’s most beautiful – and the magnificent Buda Castle along the way. Then to the pier to board our cruise ship, have a welcome cocktail and dinner followed by a well-deserved rest. Overnight onboard our cruise ship.
After breakfast we are off to the Matthias Church, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we will have mass with Father Tom followed by the rest of the morning free. Return to our ship on our own for lunch followed by a relaxing cruise on the Danube to Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital since the country’s independence in 1993. Bratislava is a mosaic of illustrious history. A Medieval and Gothic old town with baroque palaces commissioned by Hungarian nobles, and crowning castles, rebuilt to Renaissance finery. Overnight in Bratislava onboard our cruise ship.
This morning we arrive in Bratislava. After breakfast, we start our day with Mass at the old St. Clara’s Church. Then we will enjoy a combination of the Old Town tour and Castle Tour. First to Bratislava Castle with it’s beautiful baroque garden, views of Petržalka, Austria and the Old Town. On the way we will see the Slovak National Theatre – Opera House and home of the Philharmonic, magnificent churches, the upside down Pyramid, Grasalkovich palace and St. Martin’s Coronation Cathedral. Then we will come back to the Old Town with its unique historical monuments. We will see the Main Square, Roland Fountain, the oldest fountain in the city, St. Michael’s Gate, the last medieval city gate and the Archbishop’s palace before returning to our ship for lunch and the rest of the afternoon to relax before we set sail for Vienna. Overnight onboard our cruise ship.
We start the day by visiting St. Stephen’s Cathedral where Father Tom will say Mass. Then… are you ready for a journey through history? On this tour, we will get to know Vienna’s most historically significant sights. We will begin with a drive along the Ringstrasse with its magnificent buildings, such as the State Opera, the Museum of Art History and the Museum of Natural History, the Hofburg Palace, the Parliament Building, the city hall, the university, the stock exchange and past numerous palaces and monuments of famous composers, poets and artists. You will then continue to travel along the Prater with its famous Giant Ferris Wheel to the Hundertwasser house, to St. Charles’s Church before returning to our cruise ship for lunch. The afternoon is free for independent exploration of Vienna. Or take an Optional tour of the famous baroque Schönbrunn Palace that was built in 1713 and was generally used as the summer residence of the Habsburgs. Emperor Francis Joseph, who was born here in 1830, spent the last years of his life entirely in Schönbrunn. Owing to its historical importance, (it has been a world cultural heritage site since 1996), beautiful location, magnificent architecture and the 
splendid layout of its gardens, this palace is considered the top sight in Vienna. A special gem is the baroque style park surrounding the palace. After our visit, what better way to be introduced to Vienna than with some Applestrudel in the “Schönbrunn Old Bakery”, an old time romantic cellar. Here you have the chance to watch first-hand an original professional sugar baker making the world famous and delicious “Viennese Apple Strudel”, followed by a tasting. Then return to our MS Symphonie Cruise Ship for dinner. Overnight onboard our cruise ship.
Morning cruising on the Danube as we pass old castles and small villages situated in the beautiful Wachau Valley before arriving in Melk, best known as the site of a massive baroque Benedictine monastery named the Melk Abbey. The town is first mentioned as Medilica in 831 at the coronation of Louis the German. Afternoon arrival in Melk. After lunch, we tour the Abbey founded in 1089 as a Benedictine Abbey where monks continue in this tradition for over 900 years. No tour of monasteries in Austria or Middle Europe for that matter, would be complete without a visit to the magnificent Melk Abbey. Abbot Berthold Dietmayr and his architects Jakob Prandtauer and Joseph Munggenast left no stone unturned in their quest from 1701 to 1736 to construct a sacred palace upon the foundations of a medieval monastery. The library is a treasure in itself, due to its valuable manuscript collection and to the beauty of its architectural design. Hopefully we will be able to have a Mass at the Abbey before returning to our cruise ship as we continue to Passau. Overnight onboard our cruise ship.
Continue our cruise into Passau, once described as “one of the most beautifully situated cities in the world” due to its remarkable position on the confluence of three rivers. After breakfast, we disembark our cruise ship and board our coach to the “Sound of Music” city, Salzburg. Lunch is on our own. We meet again for an afternoon walking sightseeing tour of the UNESCO-protected Old Town seeing landmarks including the Cathedral, Mozarteum and St. Peter’s Cemetery, whose colonnades famously provided hiding for the Von 
Trapp family in the 1960 Sound of Music musical. We walk along the cobbled Getreidegasse shopping street and learn about Salzburg’s most famous former resident, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as we pause outside the composer’s house. See the Mirabell Palace and its gardens, the backdrop to the famous ‘Do Re Mi’ scene in The Sound of Music, and take in the views of the Hohensalzburg, the hilltop fortress looming over the city. Return to our hotel where after a time to refresh ourselves, we will take a small local train up the mountain overlooking Salzburg for dinner followed by a wonderful Mozart concert. Overnight in Salzburg.
Depart Salzburg in the morning for the village of Oberammergau and our reserved accommodations in one of the many nearby villages. We have lunch on our own before being shuttled to the Passion Play theater. In 1633, the residents vowed that if God spared them from the bubonic plague, they would produce a play thereafter depicting the life and death of Jesus. Performed during years ending in zero, it is considered as one of the grandest in the world. The production involves over 2,000 performers, musicians, and stage hands–all residents of the village. They rehearse for over six months and present the play over 100 times during a performance year. The open-air theater adds to the magic of the show. The play begins at 2:30pm. We will have dinner during the 3-hour interval between Part # 1 and Part #2 in a restaurant in Oberammergau or the local area, before returning to the theater and the conclusion of the Play which will end about 10:30pm. Return to our hotel for our overnight.
An early morning departure for Munich. After checking into our hotel, we have a bit of time to have lunch on our own before departing for our afternoon city tour. We will start at the old St. Peter’s Church, where Father Tom will perform Mass, then continue to enjoy an orientation tour through this lovely city We will travel past Prinzregentenstrasse, Maximilianstrasse, the exclusive shopping street built in the Neo-Gothic style. Then onto the ‘medieval’ part of Munich with the Old and New City Hall and the Viktualienmarkt. Continue to the Opera house, the Royal Square in Neo-Greek style, and the Alte Pinakothek, Munich’s most famous art gallery which contains one of the largest Ruben’s collection in the world. Then drive through the Olympiapark, site of the 1972 Summer Olympic Games. This evening, we will have dinner at a real German Pub, the“Bratwurst Glockel am Dom.” Overnight in Munich.
This morning we have a tour to uncover the history behind the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau. Outside the town of Dachau, a memorial site stands on the grounds of the former concentration camp. Dachau was the first Nazi concentration camp in Germany during the Holocaust, and it was the originator and training ground for the vast order of brutality that spread over half of Europe in the wake of the armies of the Third Reich, and which ultimately culminated in history’s greatest crime. On this half-day tour, you’ll spend around three hours exploring the memorial site with your guide. 
Tour the exhibition center and former compound, and learn about the history of Dachau, World War II, and the Holocaust. See reconstructed barracks, guardhouses, cells, crematorium, and administration headquarters, and take a moment to reflect at the site’s memorials. While each camp was responsible for its own particular form of barbarism, what distinguished Dachau is that almost everything that happened in the system as a whole happened at some level there. Return to Munich for a free afternoon. Our farewell dinner will be at Munich’s famous Ratskeller restaurant in the town’s old City Hall that opened in 1867 and has treated guests in its rooms with Bavarian specialties for many years. Overnight in Munich.
Fado is the Soul of Portuguese Music. It can be described by using the Portuguese word “saudade,” which means “longing” and stands for a feeling of loss. It is a very popular type of Portuguese singing, traditionally associated with pubs and cafés, that is renowned for its expressive and profoundly melancholic character. The singer of Fado (literally, “fate”) speaks to the often harsh realities of everyday life. The evening includes dinner and a Fado performance.
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