For most tourists, food plays an integral role in enhancing the experience, learning about local cultures, and simply serving as an excuse to relax, unwind, and enjoy. Of course, not everyone is on the same page of the cookbook when it comes to as food is prepared.
While some people argue that they “don’t go on vacation to cook” and would rather have someone else serve their meals, others would say that they “enjoy cooking as a hobby and prefer preparing meals for the family rather than eating junk food on vacation.” . So does one argument trump the other?
We have taken as an example a vacation in a villa in Puglia, in the extreme south of Italy, to reason about it and help you make a decision. Why Puglia? Because the region has a warm Mediterranean climate, boasts the longest coastline in Italy, it is dotted with fairytale villages of trullo houses and majestic masserias (local farms), baroque palaces and churches, ancient olive groves and fantastic beaches.
Plus, Puglia is a haven for lovers of Italian food and wine, which is why a villa holiday in Puglia is a fantastic choice. Read on for our guide to the ultimate holiday decider: cooking VS not cooking!
Why cook during your holiday in a villa in Puglia?
- Immerse yourself in the local flavors.
One of the best things about cooking on vacation is the chance to really immerse yourself in the local flavors.
The experience of going to a farmers market, deli, or grocery store gives you the opportunity to shop for your own ingredients, chat with the locals, and discover first-hand where the produce comes from.
Puglia, the southern heel of Italy, is dotted with farms and orchards producing fantastically fresh produce that can be purchased at local markets throughout the region.
Durum wheat, ripe vine tomatoes, artichokes, broad beans, arugula, zucchini, beans, fennel, peppers, onions, veal and lamb are key local ingredients, not to mention the only ones’orecchiette ear-shaped pasta shells.
- Create a bond with your family
We love the social aspect of cooking and think it’s a great way for families and friends to bond over the holidays.
When renting a vacation villa in Puglia, Southern Italy, with Aria Luxury Apulia, guests enjoy luxurious kitchen facilities that make cooking an absolute pleasure.
Cooking at home is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in local cultures and traditions. For example, if you add a drizzle of aromatic olive oil to a pan, you will really feel why the region produces around 40% of Italy’s olive oil production.
When you get ready pasta al forno, a famous provincial dish Comprised of meatballs, hard-boiled eggs and a melt-in-your-mouth pasta, you will not only create a sensationally rich meal, but will also follow in the footsteps of generations of Puglia families who treasure this regional recipe.
- Learn how to make artisan pasta and more
Tourists who love donning chef hats should always consider enrolling in a cooking class in Puglia.
This will arm them with a new set of skills that they can then use to prepare local delicacies in the kitchen of their vacation rental, as well as at home.
A cooking class with Aria Luxury Apulia is the perfect way to hone your Italian culinary skills and master the art of preparing Puglia’s signature cuisine called ‘Cucina Povera’.
- Save on vacation expenses
For those on a budget, cooking is a great way to cut vacation spending while having fun. Instead of shelling out meals for each member of the group, you can purchase ingredients at wholesale prices and prepare handcrafted dishes for a fraction of the cost.
- Enjoy the good wine of Puglia
After doing all the hard work in the kitchen, you will have earned a glass of the famous Puglia wine.
The region produces around 17% of the country’s total production, and viticulture is deeply rooted in local culture and livelihoods.
The bitter black Negroamaro grapes used to produce the iconic Salice Salentino is a drink that you must try, like the Primitivo di Manduria with a lot of body and high alcohol content.
Why Eating out during your HHolidays in Puglia?
- Just choose food from a menu
For most, the experience of eating out in a restaurant or cafe is one of the most enjoyable aspects of a vacation.
The luxury of choosing what you like the most from the menu, being served by an attentive waiter, enjoying tasty cuisine and not having to wash is unsurpassed.
- Let the chef do the work
Tourists often prefer to go out to eat simply because it is easier. Shopping is done, meals are prepared, and most of the time chefs are masters at creating delicious cuisine.
- Enjoy the gastronomic culture of Puglia at its best
Another major benefit of eating out is the opportunity to experience the culture and atmosphere of a destination.
Whether it’s breakfast at a bustling laneway café, lunch at a local restaurant, or a sunset dinner by the sea, dining out is an exciting and enjoyable experience.
If you want the best of both worlds, why not consider hiring a private chef at your Italian villa for the evening.