My husband and I stayed in a trullo near Alberobello for 3 weeks. We enjoyed 2 wonderful days touring with Francesco's AllWays Puglia with 2 different sets of relatives that stayed with us. I rely on a mobility scooter for walking and didn't need my scooter at all on either tour. Our first trip included 5 adults: my husband and I, my sister, brother-in-law and niece. We did the tasting tour of the town. The couples were in 2 golf carts and my niece sat behind Francesco in his rickshaw. First of all the town is so charming. We started in the older section stopping to take unbelievable pictures of all the trulli and hearing the stories of the town. Then we started tasting. Wonderful foods: breads, cheeses, meats and sausages, pastries, olive oils and of course wine. It was a full meal by time we were through. We were the envy of all the other tourists and we drove by them in comfort as they walked up and down the sunny and warm streets of the town. It was just a perfect day.
The second tour was with our son, his wife and 4 grandchildren, 8 of us total. For this tour we did the farm tour and pasta lunch. We took a little Ape truck (4 people), Francesco on his rickshaw (with 2 more) and my dughter-in-law and older grand daughter on electric bicycles. We drove a good distance outside of town, passing through the beautiful countryside. Arriving at the farm we passed workers picking cherries that they shared with us. So sweet and juicy. Just wonderful! Once at the farm, we had a private demonstration of mozzarella cheese making from the master cheesemaker. He was so wonderful, making each of the kids a 'personalized' cheese ball, shaped like different animals and even a cheese pacifier for the youngest. So fresh and delicious! We saw the storage room with all the different cheeses they make. Cheese heaven! We were then taken on a tour to see the cows followed by a tasting of the products made on the farm served in a beautiful dining room with the table set for a king. All types of cheeses, sausages, marinated and roasted vegetables, olives, fresh made focaccia, fruits and of course wine. After saying goodbye to our host we travelled back to his office where the adults and older kids switched to segways and my husband and I got back into a golf cart. Francessco took us up and down the streets of town telling his wonderful stories letting the 2 youngest kids take turns riding in front of him on his segway (which they very much preferred than riding with us in the cart). We then stopped for lunch with a lifetime resident of the town, Maria, in her trullo home in the old section of town. Don't know where we found room after the tasting at the farm, but we enjoyed every bit the homemade pasta lunch that was prepared for us. Another fantastic day. The kids could not stop talking about all they saw and did.
I highly reccomend spending a day with Francesco. His English is perfect, he is so funny, knowledgeable about his beloved Alberobello and very accommodating. Without a doubt they were the best tours we took on our Puglia vacation.
