The Slow Fund: Reforesting Salento with Olivami

The Slow Fund is proud to partner with <a href="https://www.olivami.com/en/corporate-gardens/butterfield-robinson/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">OlivaMi</a> to support their vision and reforest the landscape of Salento, Puglia, a region our travellers have been experiencing for over a decade.In Italy's heel, olive trees are the landscape, the cultural heritage, the economy; they are the symbolic heart of Puglia. The trees have been part of the Adriatic coast for thousands of years and some families trace their ancestral roots along with the ancient, gnarled groves.&nbsp;Everywhere you visit in Puglia, winding routes lead through lands of ulivi monumentali — centuries-old olive trees that you instinctively want to hug. The oil produced is&nbsp;amongst the most sublime in the world.Puglia produces nearly half of Italy’s olive oil but in the last decade, this cultural heritage has been decimated by the bacteria Xylella fastidiosa, destroying over 21 million olive trees in Salento alone, a significant amount even for a region so dedicated to this argricultural practice. Salento has been at the heart of olive oil production for centuries, and has been the source of income and purpose for generations of farmers. Because of the Xylella problem, sadly around 5,000 growers no longer have workable groves.

Out of this devastation, a beautiful opportunity to reimagine and reforest the Salento countryside has been born through OlivaMi. OlivaMi is a nonprofit association run by a diverse group of young locals, united in their focused passion: to restore the olive groves, revive their cultural heritage, secure their economic future, combat climate change and cultivate new biodiversity through introducing Xylella-resistant olive species as well as other species of tree along a grove’s perimeters.

Through a donation in the fall of 2023, 160 new olive trees were planted and 40 established trees adopted. The new varietals include Leccino and Favolosa olive trees. Butterfield &amp; Robinson is committed to helping Puglia and the olive trees and will continue to evaluate ways to support Olivami and their efforts.On our <a href="https://butterfield.com/destination/europe/italy/puglia" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Puglia trips</a>, we visit what will grow into a B&amp;R sponsored olive grove. Every traveller booked in the region contributes to the project to ensure the expansion of the restoration efforts.

The Slow Fund is proud to partner with OlivaMi to support their vision and reforest the landscape of Salento, Puglia, a region our travellers have been experiencing for over a decade

Discover Puglia

Puglia’s location may be down at the heel, but there’s nothing remotely shabby about the stunning, sun-drenched coastline routes or the whitewashed villages and charming locals. Think Italy, with Greek parents, exquisite organic cuisine and some of the finest, most serene biking we’ve found anywhere.

From olive groves to white-washed villages, explore authentic Italy

Experience Puglia's exquisite organic cuisine and some of the most serene biking with Butterfield & Robinson luxury active travel. 

Puglia | Butterfield & Robinson | Luxury Travel

Between the sun, the shore and the food, Puglia has a way of making everything more sumptuous. Mozarella’s more delicious when sampled at a cheese-making demo. Cycling’s more serene along the Adriatic. And a post-ride aperitivo&nbsp;is even more refreshing when sipped in our friend’s garden.

Incredible Rides

Vibrant Culture

Local Connections

Between the sun, the shore and the food, Puglia has a way of making everything more sumptuous. Mozarella’s more delicious when sampled at a cheese-making demo led by our friends Domenica and Giuseppe. Cycling’s more serene along the Adriatic. A post-ride lunch is even more delicious when enjoyed in our friend’s masseria. And the sound of live music is more enchanting when paired with an exclusive dinner in a fortified castle. After just a few days here, you’ll quickly see why Puglia has our heart.

Adventure awaits on the Adriatic

The heel of Italy's boot

The itinerary below is a sample and is subject to slight changes in routes, accommodations and activities. Please download the itinerary for your selected departure for precise details.

Preview the itinerary

Experience Designer

Between the sun, the shore and the food, Puglia has a way of making everything more sumptuous. Mozarella’s more delicious when sampled at a cheese-making demo. Cycling’s more serene along the Adriatic. And a post-ride aperitivo&nbsp;is even more refreshing when sipped in our friend’s garden.

Discover the true magic of old Italy, surrounded by olive groves and our charming local friends. We make every step count with routes featuring sublime coastal roads, cobbled paths that weave through whitewashed towns and distinctive stone trulli. End your journey with two nights in UNESCO-listed Matera, with its ancient cave dwellings inhabited for thousands of years.

The magic of old Italy

Bask in olive groves and gorgeous whitewashed villages as you stroll along the aquamarine Adriatic in one of Italy’s most blissfully low-traffic corners (we’re the only walkers here!). Back at hotel Sant’Angelo – a B&amp;R exclusive in UNESCO Matera – feast on the freshest seafood you’ve ever had while you quaff luscious local Primitivo.

Tell the kids you’re are going to Puglia and they’ll ask “where-ya?” Tell them you’re going to snorkel in the sparkling Adriatic, make pasta by hand, and zipline over olive groves and they’ll ask a different question: “when-ya!?”Note:&nbsp;The activities on our Puglia&nbsp;Family Adventure trip are recommended for children age 8 years and older.

Reconnect with the family on a rejuvenating, sprightly and (dare we say) educational adventure along the Adriatic sea.

Pedal past whitewashed villages on quiet routes through the rolling countryside blanketed in olive trees and along the aquamarine Adriatic Coast.

Natural Beauty

Time Travel

Puglia is sun-soaked, salt-kissed and straight-up irresistible. Ride through olive groves, past whitewashed towns and cone-roofed trulli, then feast on seafood and sip wine under the stars. Pair it with neighbouring Matera in Basilicata, with its ancient stone beauty, and you’ve got Italy at its most soulful. History, flavour and southern charm—served with extra olive oil, of course.

Experience old-world Italy in the heel of the boot

In Puglia, the spirit of old-world Italy comes to life

Bespoke travel lets you to take our inspirational cues and craft them into your personalized, private adventure. Collaborate one-on-one with an Experience Designer to put together your tailor-made trip.

Puglia Bespoke | Butterfield & Robinson

Vineyards, grottos, and whitewashed villages set against the Adriatic: myriad landscapes await you in Puglia, the historic hunting grounds of marauding royalty and occupying forces (who clearly come for the nosh). Foodies, get ready to swoon for fresh, local ingredients and rich wines in Puglia and Basilicata, the gardens of Italy.

Authentic Food

Ride through southern Italy where ancient history meets Adriatic eye candy. Spin past olive groves, stone Trulli, and sun-bleached villages that look plucked from a dream (or a very trippy postcard). Explore fortified farms, feast like a local, and cruise serene coastal roads. Matera to Puglia delivers the rarest form of la dolce vita—one that's blissfully free of crowds.

See Puglia at your pace

Experience designer

$5,395 based on two travellers. $4,995 based on four travellers. $4,595 based on six travellers.

Puglia

The Slow Fund: Reforesting Salento with Olivami

Find your next adventure.

Get insider access, travel inspiration and a first look at new adventures, straight to your inbox.