Cisternino Tour with Dinner from Central Puglia

This evening tour celebrates Puglia's gastronomic heritage in one of Italy's most beautiful villages. You'll travel into the Valle d'Itria to Cisternino. Soak up the atmosphere of this whitewashed Puglian gem before enjoying a meal in a ‘braceria'. Paola, one of our expert local guides, explains, ‘Cisternino is famous for little eateries with a butcher's counter at the front, so you can pick up your meat to take home and cook, or take a seat and the staff will cook your choice of cuts over hot coals and bring it sizzling to your table.'Cisternino sits on a bluff overlooking the Itria Valley and is famed for its kasbah-like old town. A member of the association of Italy's Most Beautiful Villages, you can expect an evening among scenic surroundings. You'll kick off with a guided tour of the historic centre and panoramic points, followed by some free time to explore the twisting lanes. Paola says, ‘Cisternino overlooks the heart of trulli country, so you'll spot the distinctive conical roofs among the olive groves and vineyards that surround the town.'Next up is dinner at the braceria, featuring a much-loved local speciality, bombette. These bite-sized ‘bombs' are so named because they explode with flavour and texture. Paola says, ‘To prepare the classic bombette, take small chunks of caciocavallo cheese, sprinkle with a little parsley and garlic, then wrap it in a slice of pancetta and thinly sliced pork. Thread several onto a skewer, grill over coals and serve piping hot. Buon appetito.'