3 Tours in 2022: Australia, Morocco and Puglia

I am longing to go somewhere and I think most people are too. Since my first overseas trip in 1976 I’ve had the travel bug. I have been incredibly fortunate that my professional life (as well as my personal life) has taken me all over the world since my first “journalists’ familiarisation tour” to Morocco in 1994 (though I had previously visited privately in 1978). I’m a communicator and I love sharing the joy of food, wine and travel with people, so in 2015 I was able to channel this into a new field and I started hosting tours. I have since hosted three tours and cruises to the Mediterranean and surrounds, land content tour to Puglia in the boot of the heel of Italy, another trip to Japan and also hosted a Food and Wine Train between Perth and Adelaide. It combines my love of people with the joy of travel as I am able to share some of my personal insights and experiences. I am with you 24/7.

The world has changed for all of us in the last two years. Most of us have had to stick very close to home or been isolating and may not have left our city, region or state or even been on a plane. Yet we love to travel.

We need to be safe and secure in all that we do when we are away from home and so the time has never been more right to consider curated group travel. That is why I am emailing you. Many have travelled this way before. Others may be considering it for the first time. Now, it’s not just about the camaraderie, and having someone else do all the organisation, arrange the itinerary, provide a local tour guide – as well as me as specialist host who is able to arrange additional experiences. That’s great but we all need an organisation to take responsibility to ensure things go well whatever happens and to be able to deal calmly and effectively with emergencies.

I only work with reputable, well-established tour companies who have the infrastructure and resources to assure safety for all. So I invite you to consider joining me this year, either in Australia or overseas in specially curated, limited-number tours with like minded travelers.

Additionally, each tour incorporates experiences which you could not have as a solo traveler. Many of them are built on personal relationships I have developed and experiences I have had in my 30+ years in the business. Please read on?

Lyndey

I have not been outside my home state of NSW since I returned from the UK in March 2020. Both my Puglia and Morocco trips have been postponed – twice – so I thought travel within Australia was appealing. This tour came about because the MD of Insight Vacations is a friend and colleague from my days as Food Director of The Australian Women’s Weekly. With her team I have developed this bespoke tour. Insight have other tours to South Australia, but not like this. This tour is not available via travel agents, only via my personal networks. Also, with all the uncertainty with border restrictions, Insight Vacations have promised that should Covid prevent interstate travel, deposits will be refunded in full up until 1 February.

Drawing on my decades’ exploring Australia’s unique food and flavours, I’ve called on friends old and new to help me create this very personal adventure. I’m thrilled that these food, wine and cultural experiences will not only give you a great insight into South Australia’s most outstanding producers, but also into the vibrant traditions, rich histories and passion that make each experience so special.

Puglia in the boot of the heel of Italy is still relatively unspoiled. A secret Italians tend to keep to themselves, it is a wonderful place to visit and so much less crowded than Tuscany. I first went there with award-winning tour company Southern Visions in 2013. I determined then and there to share this experience with others and host a tour. This came to fruition in 2018 with a wonderfully successful tour. After several postponements, we are repeating this again. It’s an authentic culture, wine and gastronomic experience taking in the best Puglia has to offer, promising an unforgettable week learning the secrets of a deeply passionate and undiscovered region of Southern Italy.

Puglia is the sun-drenched heel of the boot that spans two seas, the Adriatic and the Ionian. Basilicata is its neighbour to the west. Both are agricultural regions with abundant healthy soil, over 50 million olive trees and a tradition of wine growing.

Some of the highlights of the adventure include:
• An in-depth visit to the UNESCO site of Matera (location for the film Passion of the Christ)
• Olive grove tour, tasting and lunch at an ancient olive oil estate with trees 3000+ years old
• Visit to the Trullo Capital, UNESCO Heritage Site, Alberobello
• Bread-making in the traditional way in Altamura at a DOP bakery
• A hands-on cooking class at restored farmhouse Masseria Montenapoleone after foraging
• Insider’s experience of traditional burrata cheese making
• Private lunch at Li Veli winery