In Hand x Christine Chitnis
An immersive, intimate trip into the craft culture of Puglia, Italy
May 28-June 3, 2026
$5,400-$6,200 per person (based on room selection)
LED BY: Christine Chitnis and Meghan McEwen
During this week-long trip to Italy’s “heel of the boot,” we will visit sun-drenched, slow-paced Puglia with its olive groves, crumbling masseria, white limestone villages, and people and places holding fast to the old ways of making things by hand. With a small, intimate group, we'll journey across the countryside and coastline, visiting pottery studios, an historic textile mill, villages and museums that bring the stories of traditional Apulian craft to life.
In keeping with the rhythms of the countryside, we will take our time, moving slowly and intentionally. When we’re not exploring the regional crafts, there will be ample downtime for delighting in the beauty of our surroundings.
We will visit a traditional pottery village that has been producing ceramics since the Middle Ages; an incredible excavation site housed in an unassuming private residence; a working textile foundation with the noble mission of keeping the tradition of Salentino weaving alive. We’ll explore antique markets and Baroque towns. There will be country walks, long dinners, and a magical masseria you’ll never want to leave.
Suggested Itinerary (With Just Enough Room for Spontaneity)
Day 1
We will touch down in Bari or Brindisi and meet at the beautiful masseria where we’ll be staying for the week. We’ll get to know one another over the first of many long dinners under the stars. You’ll have time to explore the extraordinary grounds and gardens before dusk.
Day 2
After breakfast at the masseria, we head to the famous ceramics town of Grottaglie, which has carried the tradition of the craft for centuries. We will get a tour of the oldest workshop, which traces 10 generations of the Fasano family. You’ll have plenty of time to stroll, meandering in and out of pottery studios and shops on your own . We’ll meet up again to make a very special visit to a private residence, where an excavation uncovered a magnificent collection of artifacts and ceramics.
Day 3
We will enjoy a slow morning before heading to Galatina with its beautiful Baroque architecture and 12th century convent and basilica, renowned for the some of the most stunning frescoes in Puglia. Galatina is also the birthplace of delicious pasticciotto, which we will sample from the town’s oldest bakery. Our outing ends with a decadently long late lunch at a family-run trattoria, tucked into one of the labyrinthine limestone alleyways.
Day 4
Explore Lecce, often referred to as the “Florence of the South,” thanks to its stunning Baroque architeture and frilly honey-colored buildings. On this day, it hosts its famous monthly antique market with more than 100 stalls. Afterwards, we will visit a collector’s private residence before setting you loose to explore the city’s shops, squares and museums. Dinner on your own in Lecce.
Day 5
An exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of an historical weaving workshop that is working to preserve the tradition of handwoven Salento textiles. We’ll learn about the history of this beautiful craft directly from the daughter of the founder, and watch the weavers work on antique wooden looms. Next, we’ll make a lunch stop in Otranto, a walled city on the sea with a 15th-century castle and 11th-century cathedral, famous for its well-preserved full-floor mosaics and hypogeum.
Day 6
For our last full day together, we will indulge in a luxurious few hours of downtime at the masseria, where you can walk through the olive groves, read by the pool, or take a bike ride through the magical grounds. We will stop to meet a family of traditional basket weavers before a very special Apulian dinner together in the countryside on our final night.
Day 7
Departure day. Everyone will leave the masseria by 10am. If you will be spending time in Rome at the beginning or end of this trip, we’ll provide recommendations to help guide you through the city, including hotels, restaurants, museums, sites, and favorite shops.
Where You’ll Sleep
A 19th century neo-classical villa, brought back to its original beauty following purchase from the local priest.
| What’s Included in Price |
Lodging in a beautifully renovated masseria for all six nights, single-room occupancy (unless otherwise requested)
Breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday with the exception of two meals—when you’ll have the opportunity to explore towns/restaurants on own
All transportation, once you arrive at the masseria through departure day, when you will be responsible for the cost of your own taxi to the airport. We will help facilitate taxi service back for your depature.
All museum tickets, private tours and talks
| What’s Not Included in Price |
Airfare to and from Puglia
Incidentals and free-time activities
Optional services (ie, spa treatments) or extra meals/snacks throughout
Alcoholic beverages
Mandatory travel insurance to cover emergencies, cancellations, illness, etc.
FAQs
What are the arrival details?
We will meet in Puglia at the masseria (near Lecce) in the afternoon on May 28th. We recommend flying into Brindisi (20 minutes away) or Bari (50 minutes away) via Rome, and taking a taxi directly to the masseria, where we’ll be spending the week. There will be time to relax, have an apertivo and get to know one another before we have our welcome dinner together.
What are Departure details?
Everyone will depart the massseria by 10am. We recommend booking a flight between 9am-1pm out of Brindisi or Bari airports. We will help you arrange transportation to the airport the morning of June 3rd. You will likely connect to another flight via Rome, but there will be additional options/configurations if you plan to extend your stay in Italy or somewhere else in Europe.
Can i share a room with a friend?
It is possible to make arrangements for a double-occupancy hotel room (with a king bed) at a reduced cost of $500.
Do i need travel insurance?
Yes, travel insurance is mandatory. This will cover unexpected cancellations for any reason, as In Hand Travels is not liable for cancellations within 90 days prior to the trip. It will also cover other unlikely issues across a broad range: illness, theft, luggage loss, etc.
What is the cancellation policy?
If you cancel at least 90 days prior to departure, any payments beyond the $2,000 non-refundable deposit will be refunded in full. No refunds possible for cancellation within 90 days of departure. Again, travel insurance will protect unexpected cancellations.
Are all rooms the same?
There are three different types of rooms, one of which can accomodate double occupancy. Six rooms are available in the main masseria; three others are located in freestanding guesthouses. All have private ensuite bathrooms. Please see the registration page for pricing options.
What are payment details?
You’ll need to secure your spot with a nonrefundable $2,000 deposit here. The final payment is due 90 days before the trip start date and can be made via wire or Zelle free of fees; credit card payment will be subject to a 3% processing fee (for final payment only).
What Activity Level Should I expect?
We will be doing lots of walking! Many of the towns we’ll visit are hilly, and guests can expect to walk up to 2-3 miles per day. Often our small bus needs to park at the edge of town, and we will walk into the town center.