Is transportation provided between the farm, Altamura, and forest lunch?

Transportation to Mercadante Forest is self-drive, but within Altamura the walking tour covers the sites on foot.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Children aged 9 and under can participate for free, though tastings are designed for ages 10 and older.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?

Please inform the operator in advance to discuss any dietary needs or allergies before booking.

How should I prepare for the outdoor forest lunch?

Dress in layers appropriate for the season and bring sun protection or rain gear as needed.

Is the cheese-making demonstration suitable for all ages?

Yes, the live demonstration is family-friendly and engaging for all visitors.

What languages are the guided portions available in?

Guided tours are typically conducted in Italian; inquire about availability of English-language guides.

Discover Puglia Cheese & Lunch Experience: A Culinary Journey in Altamura | Guided Tour | Food Tour

Located in the heart of Puglia, Italy, the Puglia Cheese & Lunch Experience offers a rare glimpse into the region’s enduring food traditions and natural charm. This five-hour journey begins on a working dairy farm just outside Altamura, famed for its ancient bread and rich agricultural heritage. Here, visitors witness live cheese-making, an artisanal process handed down through generations, while savoring tastings of creamy local cheeses expertly paired with carefully selected regional wines. The farm’s tactile, hands-on approach connects guests directly to the source of Puglia’s culinary identity.

From the farm, the experience continues with a guided stroll through Altamura’s historic old town. Altamura, often known as the “City of Bread,” enchants with its narrow cobblestone streets and architectural highlights like the Monastery of Santa Chiara. Guests also visit one of the town’s oldest ovens—a cornerstone of local culture where the renowned Altamura bread is baked. A stop at a quaint bakery introduces travelers to the legendary “Tette delle Monache,” or Sospiri Pugliesi, a delicate regional pastry whose history dates back centuries. These pastries, rich with tradition, will later accompany the forest lunch, paired with the distinctive Padre Beppe Elixir liqueur, a Puglian specialty.

The final leg leads to the serene Mercadante Forest within Alta Murgia National Park, a protected natural area known for its vast karst plateaus, limestone formations, and diverse Mediterranean flora. Here at Baby Dicecca, a rustic wooden kiosk offers the perfect setting for an open-air forest lunch featuring regional cheeses and local delicacies. This peaceful spot allows guests to absorb the natural beauty of Puglia’s landscape, blending cultural and ecological richness.

What sets this experience apart is its seamless fusion of culinary craftsmanship, historical discovery, and outdoor immersion. The combination of farm-to-table cheese tasting, historic town exploration, and a tranquil forest picnic makes this tour a standout for travelers eager to connect with authentic Puglian flavors and landscapes. Whether you're passionate about food, history, or nature, this trip offers a thoughtfully crafted snapshot of southern Italy’s unique character.

Visitors often stay in nearby Bari, a lively coastal city just 40 minutes from Altamura, where they can extend their exploration of Puglia’s diverse offerings.

About Farm Experiences & Tours

Farm Experiences & Tours is a Portugal-based operator located in Santa Bárbara, Lisboa, offering curated farm and winery experiences across multiple European regions. Featured on The Adventure Collective, the company connects travelers with rural producers through guided tastings, cellar tours, picnics, and farm lunches. Their program includes wine tastings in Lourinhã (3- and 6-wine options), a picnic winery experience, Sicilian olive oil experiences with farm lunches, Tuscan Chianti Classico tastings and lunches, Provence wine and goat cheese tours, and a coffee farm experience in Las Palmas.

Each itinerary focuses on direct engagement with producers: guided vineyard walks, explanations of winemaking and olive oil harvesting techniques, tasting masterclasses, and estate-hosted meals. Experiences are presented as day tours or on-site visits to family-run estates and châteaux, emphasizing regional flavors and landscape settings.

Farm Experiences & Tours uses trip descriptions and on-site programs supplied by partner farms and wineries; the operator showcases factual, location-specific experiences such as Montevago olive oil production, Chianti Classico tastings, and Lourinhã vineyard visits. Guests are encouraged to review individual trip details for accessibility, duration, and booking terms.

By featuring a diverse selection—wineries, olive farms, a coffee plantation, and goat cheese pairings—the operator provides verified rural culinary experiences suitable for wine lovers, culinary travelers, and nature enthusiasts seeking authentic, producer-led activities in and beyond Portugal. Information on group size limits, seasonal availability, and meal inclusions is provided for each listing to help travelers plan. Local partners include small estates and producers who host tastings and lunches on-site throughout Portugal.

Discover Puglia Cheese & Lunch Experience: A Culinary Journey in Altamura

Adventure Brief

Keep the Adventure Going

Trip Details from the Operator

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Highlights

Local Insights

Related Adventures & Guides

Operated By

About Farm Experiences & Tours

Book a Farm or Winery Experience Today

Adventure Tips

Recommended Gear