At the end of September 2024, I accompanied a group of The Perfect Loaf readers through southern Italy’s olive tree and cobblestone-lined streets. Though I’ve been to Italy many times to visit family, it was my first trip as a tourist and a guide of sorts, and if I’m being honest, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Would the conversation flow? Is the itinerary paced just right? Did we pick the right mix of culinary experiences to make this a trip of a lifetime? The short answer is yes. Yes to all of the above.

From the first group introductions at the masseria (an Italian farmhouse) to the big group meal that night at the edge of the sea, all the way to the final pizza-fueled meal at Pepe in Grani, not only were the guests seasoned travelers charged for adventure, but it was evident there was a shared passion food—and it was palpable. At each meal you could feel the joy, see the excitement, and hear the oohs and ahhs as the food was prepared and served.