Walking Tour Plus Orecchiette Class

Walking Tour Plus Orecchiette Class, 2.5 hours, rated 4.7 across 680 traveller reviews.

Overview

This tour pairs a guided walk through Bari's old town with a hands-on orecchiette class inside a local grandmother's home. It runs for 2.5 hours, starts near Piazza Mercantile at the VELO SERVICE Tour & Rental Store on Strada Vallisa, and is led by a local guide in one of several languages including English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

The walk comes first. The route takes in the Basilica of St. Nicholas, the main squares, the Swabian Castle and the Cathedral of St. Sabino, with the guide covering the city's history as the group moves through the alleys. Bari's grandmothers open their doors from the early morning and shape their homemade orecchiette on the mesh screens of wooden trays.

The second half is the pasta session. In a resident's home, travellers knead semolina dough and shape orecchiette by hand while chatting with their host, then sit down to eat the pasta with homemade fresh tomato sauce, served with a glass of wine. Luggage storage is included, which suits travellers passing through with bags. Museum entries are not covered.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Strada VallisaThe group gathers at the VELO SERVICE Tour & Rental Store on Strada Vallisa 81, a few steps from Piazza Mercantile. No pickup or hotel transfer is included.
2. Guided walk of BariA guided walking tour through the old town, passing the Basilica of St. Nicholas, the main squares, the Swabian Castle and the Cathedral of St. Sabino. Museum entry fees are not included.
3. Pasta class and tastingAt a local lady's house in the old town, the group learns to make orecchiette with semolina dough, then tastes the pasta with fresh tomato sauce. Wine tasting and a glass of wine are part of this stop.
4. Return to Velo ServiceThe tour finishes back at the Velo Service store. The total duration is 2.5 hours, though one reviewer found the finish ran later than scheduled.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help travellers get the most out of this tour.

• Pace and mobility. The route is entirely on foot through the old town. One reviewer noted the guide slowed the walking pace for group members who had difficulty walking, so the pace appears adaptable rather than brisk.
• Timing buffer. The listed duration is 2.5 hours, but one reviewer reported the tour ran longer than advertised. Travellers should avoid booking anything immediately afterwards.
• Language options. The tour is offered in Spanish, English, French, German and Italian. It may run in a bilingual format depending on the group, and one reviewer confirmed a German-language guiding experience.
• Food and drink. The orecchiette tasting with fresh tomato sauce and a glass of wine are included, along with a wine tasting at the class stop.
• Luggage and extras. Luggage storage is included, useful for travellers with bags. Museum entry fees are the one stated exclusion, so anyone wanting to enter sites along the route should budget separately.
• Ask the guide. Reviewers often praised guides who answered questions and shared their knowledge of Bari.

Common issues. The pasta-making segment felt rushed to some travellers, including one reviewer who wished for more hands-on time, and a summarised review point makes the same complaint. One reviewer also found the total tour time ran longer than advertised. The tour may change or be cancelled if the minimum participant number is not reached or weather is bad, and it may run bilingically depending on the group. Museum entry fees are not included, and no pickup or transfer is provided.

Common Questions