Puglia, Italy

What is Included:

•  8 nights a handpicked Masseria & Trulli Resort of AD 1710 resort with with private pool & spa
• 1 Head Pro Instructor
• 12+ hours Pickleball instruction, + tournaments
• Transportation to and from Airport Bari (BRI)
• Buffet special Handmade local breakfast every morning
• 7 Gourmet “Special Theme Typical Local Dinners’’ in the resort: 1 liter of wine per person always included at dinner
• Apulian typical BBQ dinner during the International Farewell Pickleball Party
• Typical Apulian brunches
• Private deluxe motor coach for day trip excursions
• Day trips to Bari and Polignano & Lecce and Otranto
• Guided Tours in Hystorical UNESCO World Sites, wild landscapes, unique stone towns, + More
• Professional guided tours in each city and places visited
• 2 cooking experiences (Panzerotti & pasta)
• Vineyard experience & Wine Tasting
• Wine, local cold cuts and cheese tasting
• Bilingual tour leader

 

What's Not Included:

• Airfare, tips, extras, personal spending, travel insurance

 

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Tours, trekking, yoga, massages, etc.

• Live for 9 days inside a real Trulli village of AD 1710
• Lose yourself in the Wilderness of Puglia
• Feel the thrill of being in timeless lunar landscapes
• Discover the charm of the region named most beautiful in the World
• Walk inside the UNESCO World Sites stone-towns
• Admire the Italian Grandmothers making pasta in the streets of Bari Vecchia
• Tasting Puglia original Burrata & Mozzarella
• Swim in one of the most beautiful chalets in the Mediterranean Sea
• Have a trekking in the vineyards with wine experience
• To take at least one photo a day with a wonderful background and your paddle in the foreground
• Will you discover why this is the VIP’s favorite travel destination?
• To get your face floured while making fresh Orecchiette pasta
• Make new Pickleball & life friends
• Learn to Prepare Panzerotti: the typical Apulian Fried Pizza
• Win a Pickleball match against Italians
• Be amazed by the beauty of Mediterranean Bays
• Fall in love with Lecce “The Lady of Baroque”
• Taste the Typical Apulian BBQ called “Bombette”
• Be Italian for 9 days

Miguel Enciso is a true pickleball aficionado with over four decades of experience and a deep-rooted passion for the game. A Southern California native, Miguel was introduced to pickleball at a young age and has been hooked ever since.

Former USAPA Ambassador for Oak Park (CA) he is a pickleball coach and influencer (12K+ Followers). His expertise and passion have earned him a position as a coach at the Nike Pickleball Camp at Pepperdine University. This prestigious camp provides aspiring pickleball players with the opportunity to learn from top-tier instructors and refine their skills.

At the moment Miguel is the Pickleball Director at the Westlake Athletic Club in Westlake Village (CA) and Head Pro at the Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks (CA).

He also wrote the song THE PICKLEBALL LIFE! Miguel's message to pickleball enthusiasts and newcomers alike is simple and inspiring: "Come on out and see what the fun is all about and always, ALWAYS…PADDLE UP!"

WHERE WE ARE?

 We will be close the town of Martina Franca  in the area of the “Valle d’Itria - Murgia Dei Trulli”. Trulli are the typical and most famous buildings in Puglia: this is the only one place in the world where you can find this type of architectonical structures (UNESCO World Heritage).

Martina Franca is the perfect location to visit Puglia due to it central position. In fact, from this point we will be able to do many trips during our holiday.

Our home base will be a completely restored Masseria located inside a Olive grove of majestic centuries-old olive trees (Apulian Centennials Olive Trees are UNESCO World Heritage too). “Masserie” are typical buildings of south of Italy, in the paste they were a set of rural buildings used for housing, animal shelter and support for the owners of farms. Nowadays, many of them have been completely transformed into Luxury resorts (exactly like the one that we choose as home base for this trip).

From this place we will start several trips and experiences during our holiday

We will visit Bari (The Capital of Puglia), The Famous Polignano a Mare, Lecce (with its 5000 Years of History), the Trulli of Alberobello (UNESCO World Heritage Site from 1996),  among the most beautiful beaches of all the Mediterranean Sea!!

We will try many of the best Southern Italian wines, Mozzarella & Burrata, and all the food specialties of this region full of history. We will also learn how to make Panzerotti & Pasta, and much…. Much more!

Pickleball courts are 15 minutes away, Pickleball activities are scheduled for 5 days of the tour during the mornings and includes pickleball training, open play and competitions and Farewell International Pickleball Party with Apulian BBQ!

 

Brief Itinerary

• Day 1: Bari/Martina Franca Arrive to resort, pool, relax and welcome BBQ
• Day 2: Martina Franca Morning pickleball, Alberobello & Locorotondo (UNESCO World Site), ‘theme dinner’
• Day 3: Day-trip to Bari & Polignano, ‘theme dinner’
• Day 4: Martina Franca Morning pickleball, dreamlike beach, Panzerotti making lessons & dinner
• Day 5: Martina Franca Morning pickleball, visit Ostuni & dinner
• Day 6: Day-trip to Lecce & Otranto, “theme dinner”
• Day 7: Martina Franca Morning pickleball, visit to a Masseria for Wine Experience, Pasta making lessons
• Day 8: Martina Franca Morning pickleball, International Farewell Pickleball Party & Apulian BBQ
• Day 9: Martina Franca/Bari Airport, arrive same day to US or Canada

Detailed Program

 

Day 1

• You will arrive to the Airport of Bari (BRI) and we will take care of the transport from the airport to the Resort
• You will have time to settle in and enjoy all the services offered by the resort
• 8:00 pm Welcome Party & Typical BBQ

 

Day 2

• 8.30 am - 11:00 am pickleball training and play
• 11:00 am – 2:30 pm Aperitif, Brunch, and rest in the Hotel
• 2:30 pm – 7:00 pm visit at the surrounding Territory: visit at Trulli di Alberobello (UNESCO World Heritage Site from 1996) and Locorotondo
• 7:00 pm “Theme Dinner” & Relax in our resort

 

 Day 3

• 9:00 am After breakfast we will spend the whole day to visit Bari & Polignano a Mare. Bari is the Capital of Puglia and it jealously preserves its strong Tradition in “Bari Vecchia”, where you will see all the Italian grandmothers making handmade Pasta “Orecchiette” in the streets of the old town. Polignano a Mare is one of the most beautiful town on the seaside in the Whole Mediterranean Sea. Many International VIPs bought their Real Estate in this famous town.
• 8:00 pm “Theme Dinner” & Relax in our resort

 

Day 4

• 8:30 am – 11:00 am pickleball training and play
• 11:00 am – 12:30 pm Aperitif & Brunch
• 1:00 pm - 5:30 pm Afternoon: we will spend a few hours one at one of the most beautiful beaches of Italy, also known as the Italian Caribbeans
• 6:30 pm Panzerotti (typical Apulian Fried Pizza) making lessons & dinner

 

Day 5

• 8:30 am – 11:00 am pickleball training and play
• 11:00 am – 2:30 pm Aperitif, Brunch, and rest in the Hotel
• 2:30 pm – 22:00 pm Afternoon: visit to Ostuni, one of the wonders of Puglia, made famous by the candor that characterizes its historic center. You will have free time after the guided tour & after we will have a special dinner in Ostuni
• 7:30 pm “Theme Dinner” & Relax in our resort

 

Day 6

• 9:00 am Whole day dedicated to visit Lecce and Otranto. Lecce has 5000 years of History and is famous for its Baroque art; it has been named “The Lady of the Baroque “. Otranto is a fortress built on water; the historic center is a treasure protected by the “Angevin walls”
•  8:00 pm “Theme Dinner” & Relax in our resort

 

 Day 7

• 8:30 am – 11:00 am pickleball training and play
• 11:00 am – 2:30 pm Aperitif, Brunch, and rest in the Hotel
• 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm Experiences in Masseria: we will visit an ancient typical Apulian Masseria, we will go trekking in the vineyards & we will try the special wines produced in this famous Masseria while we enjoy the wonderful location
• 6:30 pm Orecchiette (typical Apulian handmade pasta) making lessons & dinner

 

Day 8

• 8:30 am – 11:00 am pickleball training and play
• 11:00 am – 1:30 pm Aperitif & Brunch
• 1:30 pm – 5 pm rest in the Hotel and prepare luggage for the next day travel
• 5:30 pm – 11 pm Farewell Party: International Pickleball Party with Italian Participants, Famous Apulian BBQ Bombette & more
• 11:00 pm back in our Resort for the night

 

Day 9

• Wake up and move to Bari Airport (BRI)
• Time to say Good-Bye…. And for sure, we will meet to the next Pickleball Italy Trip

 

Important information about the itinerary: Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and will make every effort to provide equally appealing alternatives when adjustments need to be made. We appreciate your understanding.

The Resort

 

Quis Ut Deus ?

It is a Latin phrase that literally means 'Who is like God?'. The phrase dates back to Christian cosmogony, and is attributed to the Archangel Michael, who pronounced it as he threw himself against Lucifer when he questioned the power of God.

This phrase is a reminder: we should always stand up for what we believe in, even when it is difficult.

Built in 1710, under the reign of Philip V of Bourbon, “Quis Ut Deus Masseria” was originally composed of a house with rooms above and below, a stable, a barn, a sheepfold, and a chapel. The property has been completely restored and transformed into a center for physical & spiritual well-being, while still maintaining its ancient charm and the unmistakable cultural and artistic heritage of the Puglia region. The farmhouse is surrounded by dry stone walls and the famous monumental olive trees of Puglia, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Olive trees, monumental and sacred trees, symbolize the axis of the world that connects heaven and earth, hell and paradise. With their fruit, the chosen ones are anointed. A Mediterranean Millenary tradition that links olive oil and gods to testify to the value attributed to a plant considered a true divine fruit for its nutritional, therapeutic, and symbolic peculiarities.

Immersed among these majestic centuries-old olive trees that seem to protect its harmony and typical dry stone walls, the Quis Ut Deus Masseria is an attractive 4-star resort with rooms, a wellness center, and a swimming pool among the olive trees.

 

The Meals

 

All meals are included and carefully selected to offer the best in authenticity and taste, starting with homemade breakfast served in the resort. All meals (both inside or outside the resort, depending on the daily program), have nothing to do with the classic international meals. Each meal will have a theme, it will be a real culinary journey through Apulian Millenary cuisine, with the unforgettable wines and many tastings of typical local products.

110+ Days prior to arrival - deposit always refundable

71-110 Days prior to arrival- deposit non-refundable

0 – 70 Days prior to arrival – 100% of the Total Price non-refundable

PLEASE NOTE: if the number of participants doesn’t reach the minimum number of participants, the trip will not be held and the full amount paid will be refunded.

We strongly encourage all travelers to invest in travel insurance to both minimize your financial risks of traveling and provide you with peace of mind to fully enjoy your trip. Travel insurance can provide many helpful resources including refunds or assistance for any of the following situations that may arise before or during a trip:

• You need to cancel your participation on the tour
• You need to cancel or change a flight
• Lost baggage during the trip
• Stolen items during the trip
• Medical costs during the trip

If you would like to compare policies here are two well-known travel insurance providers to consider: Travelex Travel Insurance and Travel Guard. You can also use InsureMyTrip.com to compare multiple companies’ plans.

AIRPORT

The arrival and departure airport is Bari International Airport, which is 90 minutes from the resort. The day of arrival must match the first day indicated and the day of departure with the last day (day 9).

We will provide the ground transportation to and from the airport! Before the trip, we will send you an email with a form where you can enter your flight information — based on these details, we will set up ground transportation.

 

Additional Information

You will need:

• Your passport
• An EU outlet adapter (available on Amazon)
• Your Pickleball paddle (if not don’t worry you can write us)

 

Recommended:

• A portable charger for longer tour days
• Travel insurance — for this trip or any other trip you take! We do not have a specific recommendation for travel insurance; this is up to you.
• 50 - 200 Euros to have on hand. We recommend withdrawing Euros from an ATM once you arrive. Euros will be useful for street souvenirs, cash-only shops, tips, etc.

 

You will not need:

• a Visa
• a Covid test or vaccine
• Tips are not expected by drivers/servers/staff in Europe. If you would like to tip, though, 5%-10% on your bill or a few Euros is the typical tipping range.

 

WEATHER

The average temperature in Puglia & Valle d’Itria in June is about 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Days are generally sunny and mild, with maximum temperatures that can reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Minimums, on the other hand, hover around 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Rain is rare in June in Puglia. The standard is to have about 3 to 6 days of light rain during the month of June.

June is the perfect pleasant month to visit Puglia. The temperatures are warm (but still not very hot) and the days are long and sunny, making it ideal for outdoor activities such as trekking, picnics, and visiting cities.

 

Pricing and Payment:

• Double Room – $ 4,950 (per person when sharing a room) - initial deposit $2,800 ($1,400 per person)
• Single Room – $ 5,550 (solo traveler with private room) - initial deposit $1,500
• Superior Room & Trulli – $ 5,250 (per person when sharing a room) - initial deposit $3,400 ($1,700 per person)
• Single Superior Room & Trulli – $ 5,950 (solo traveler with private room) - initial deposit $1,800

 

Please note that only one deposit is necessary to reserve a double room (or double superior room) for two guests.

These initial deposits will be deducted from your grand total (listed above).

NOTE: The unique design of the beds in the rooms does not allow for two single beds, but only one Italian King Size Bed for two people. The double room is therefore the perfect solution for two people who want to share one King Size Bed.

ROOMS INFO: There are 2 Superior Rooms and 4 Trulli available: They will be assigned in order of reservation

After placing your initial deposit, your full payment is due 70 days prior to arrival.