The Gal Valle d’Itria has organized initiatives for tomorrow and Sunday to help tourists and locals discover the beautiful landscapes and the olive milling culture of the territory of Martina Franca, Cisternino, and Locorotondo.
A rich calendar of events involving nature, history, culture, and gastronomy.
Tomorrow, April 25, 2014, a visit is planned to the oil mill of the cooperative Upal di Cisternino, which, besides being a historic winery in the Valle d’Itria, transforms the olives provided by its members into “Extra Virgin Olive Oil“.
After the visit to the mill, guests are expected to participate in a tasting education course to distinguish the defects and merits of an “extra virgin oil“.
Sunday Afternoon Walk in the Mountains
In the oil mill, a lunch break will be organized with a tasting of traditional peasant dishes based on orecchiette, legumes, and seasonal vegetables enriched by a “cross” of green gold from the Valle d’Itria. For the afternoon, a walk is planned along the paths that run along the ridge of the Municipal Mountains of Cisternino.
Accompanied by an expert guide, you will be able to admire the breathtaking landscape of the Plain of Monumental Olive Trees that extends to the Adriatic Sea and observe the flowering of orchids, in addition to the plants of the maquis and the forest that cover the slope of the Murge of the Trulli.
Sunday appointment in Locorotondo where it will be possible to explore a piece of history in the subsoil of the territory of Locorotondo. Starting by bike from Masseria Ferragnano, traveling dirt paths in the shade of gigantic oak trees, you will arrive at the underground oil mill in Contrada Pinto.
A real rarity for the Valle d’Itria, carved into the hard limestone rock and guarded by trulli that guard a factory that develops on several levels, between places of processing and storage of oil.
- Appointment Friday, April 25, at 9:45 AM in Piazza dei Navigatori in Cisternino.
- Sunday appointment, April 27, at 9:45 AM at Masseria Ferragnano Locorotondo.
Organizers recommend wearing comfortable clothing and shoes. It is possible to book bikes for the excursion to the underground oil mill of Contrada Pinto.
In addition to this weekend’s appointments, the following excursions are planned.
THE TRULLO In the countryside of Martina Franca, the oldest in the area
Every Saturday afternoon until June 7, it will be possible to move by bike among the wonderful blossoms of apple orchards, immersed among the foliage of oak trees to discover wild orchids and learn about the Murgese horse at the Training Center of Masseria Galeone and the Donkey of Martina Franca at Masseria Russoli, and then arrive to visit the oldest trullo of the Valle d’Itria in Contrada Marziolla.
Every Sunday until May 18, tasting education courses of olive oil will be organized, in addition to pairings with the simple dishes rich in the Mediterranean diet.
The last scheduled appointment will be held at Masseria Ferragnano and will be dedicated to the delivery of certificates and the knowledge of family oils with a collective tasting test.
From the Daily of Lecce April 24, 2014
