From ancient ages, a magical and mystical ritual is
celebrated in this area. It brings human beings together with Nature,
Music, Dance and Mystery.
You will be involved by the magical Taranta dance, and get freed from
its fiendish bite by dancing. You will live an experience full of
traditions, magic, music and fun. You can live this unique experience
only in the place where this tradition was born: the Salento area.
Day 1
Arrival in the afternoon and accommodation in Masseria (ancient
farmhouse, that was the house of an important noble family). Free
time to relax.
Lesson of traditional dance and tambourine, break with wine tasting.
Dinner at the hotel, overnight.
Day 2
Visit of Gallipoli, "the pearl of the Ionian Sea",
characterized by an oriental flavour. This place had been settled
since the Greek epoch and it has been the Greeks ho called the place
"beautiful town". Walking through the streets of Gallipoli,
you can discover the old town enhancing on a little island and the
fish market. They say that in Gallipoli you can find the best fish
of Apulia.
Leisurely lunch and free time. You can enjoy the enchanting beaches
surrounding Gallipoli.
Back to the hotel, lesson of traditional dance and tambourine -
break with wine tasting.
Dinner at the hotel, overnight.
Day 3
Morning free at leisure.
Lunch and transfer to Galatina, the capital city of Taranta dance.
Visit of the Church of Saint Catherine from Alessandria, and of the
Church of Saint Paul. Saint Paul is traditionally worshipped as rescuer
from the poison transmitted by the spider's bite, and in fact from
ancient times people went to the church to ask to be cured from the
illness. They took water from the church well, and, as a miracle,
they started dancing, and managed to free themselves from the poison
by dancing.
You will take part to the ritual and to the town festival, among
dances and music.
Leisurely dinner.
After the festival, return to the hotel, overnight.
Day 4
Visit of Otranto, the most eastern city of Italy, where cultures
and arts from East and West crossed, to give birth to a city that
is Mediterranean under all respects.
Lunch in typical restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a visit of the "Grecia Salentina"
(Salentine Greece), a group of towns where the ancient Greek civilization
is still alive in language, traditions, rituals and beliefs. Visit
of Melpignano, where a special Taranta Night is held every
year.
Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.
Day 5
Visit of Lecce, the baroque town, of the Roman amphitheatre,
the Church of the Holy Cross and the Cathedral.
Lunch in typical restaurant to taste the delicious Puglia cuisine.
Free time to walk in the streets of the old town centre, and visit
the workshops of the most famous papier-mache artisans.
Tasting of Puglia cakes and desserts in one of the most renowned
coffee shops of Lecce.
Return to the hotel. Farewell dinner with music and dances.
Day 6 Breakfast and departure. End of service. |