for registered dietitians

This food-focused trip to Southern Italy is for registered dietitians who are looking for an international food adventure while getting continuing education (in collaboration with EDRD Pro).

join the waitlist

September 17 to 27, 2027

Southern Italy

Southern Italy

dates

Let's dive into the farms, factories, food stalls, and fine dining experiences in Southern Italy, specifically Bari, Lecce, and Matera in Puglia. All you have to do is book your flight, and we'll handle the rest!

trip length

cost

trip size

continuing education

in collaboration with

join the waitlist

September 17 to 27, 2027

This includes travel days. You will likely depart from the US on September 17th and land in Italy on September 18th. Then you will depart Bari on September 27.

9 Days

Not including travel days.

$7,550

Includes all excursions, lodging, and transportation within Puglia and majority of meals. Excludes flight and travel insurance. Can be paid in monthly installments.

18 Travelers

This includes the trip host (Morgan), trip photographer (Emma), and CE Sponsors (Sumner and Angela).

18 CEs

This trip is pending 18 continuing education hours. There is also an option to add an additional 10.5 through a reading and quiz relevant to Southern Italy.

This trip is for you if you...

Spend your days dreaming of eating your way through Italy

Crave experiences to learn about food cultures and where food comes from

Prefer to go off the beaten path when you're traveling

Aren't wanting a typical "tourist" vacation. Minimal sightseeing, maximum food tasting.

Are a registered dietitian and seeking continuing education hours

We take being a "foodie" up a notch. 

We take being a "foodie" up a notch. 

The Itinerary

Schedule subject to change slightly.

Travel from original destination to Bari, Italy This flight will likely be an overnight flight with the goal of landing in Bari on September 18, 2027.

Travel Day

september 17

Bari

  • Arrive independently to hotel, Check-In
  • Guided walking tour of the Old City of Bari
  • Group Apericena in the early evening

september 18

  • Castel del Monte Fortress Wine Tasting and Lunch
  • Pasta making class and dinner

september 19

  • Polignano a Mare for vistas, a street food tour
  • Travel to Lecce
  • Group Dinner

september 20

Lecce

  • Terre di Otranto EVOO Producer (Tasting & Lunch)
  • Visit Otranto - Beach Time
  • Dinner On Your Own

september 21

  • Gallipoli and bustling fish market
  • Lunch On Your Own
  • Baroque Art & Architecture Walking Tour
  • Dinner On Your Own

september 22

  • Manduria - Cellar Visit, Wine Tasting, and Lunch
  • Arrive in Matera, Walking Tour
  • Group Dinner

september 23

Matera

  • Free day to wander around the UNESCO sites of Matera on your own
  • Recommended: Matera Grotto Spa
  • Dinner On Your Own

september 24

  • Altamura Breadmaking
  • Canestrato (in Altamura) or Mozzarella (Gioia del Colle) Cheesemaking
  • Dinner On Your Own

september 25

  • Travel to Bari
  • Stop in Alberobello to visit the famous conical trulli houses
  • Final Group Dinner

september 26

Depart Bari (Individually Booked)

Travel Day

september 27

What's Included

- 9 nights at boutique hotels and apartments in Bari, Lecce, and Matera

- Group transportation to/from all events on the itinerary

- Meals at local restaurants that locally source their ingredients, are owned/run by a locally known individual, or accurately represents the cuisine specific to that region

- All excursions listed in the itinerary

- A group photographer so you can be fully present in the moment *and* have the magic of Italy captured to cherish forever

- Most lunches and dinners (reference itinerary for included meals), including wine at at the provided meals

- Tips for all meals, hotels, drivers, and guides

What's Not Included

- Travel and transportation to and from Italy, including transportation from Bari Airport and hotel in Bari

- Travel insurance (required)

- Additional meals and/or excursions not included in the itinerary

- Any incidental expenses

- Tips for photographer and trip hosts

- Alcohol aside from wine at all group lunches and dinners (or any included in the excursions)

humble brags from happy travelers

- Dani

This was my favorite way to see Italy! Morgan has an awesome itinerary and does the heavy lifting by curating experiences while also leaving time for you to find your own adventure.

- Jessica

This was one of the best experiences of my life! Top perks: you don't have to do the planning (just pack a bag and book your plane ticket!), professional photographer (you can just be in the moment), meet amazing humans, try things you might not have otherwise, peace of mind that you are taken care of with an experienced host.

- Robie

If local cuisine & wine are what you're looking for, then this is the company to sign on with! Because it isn't just about eating and drinking; it's about experiencing the love and passion the people put into everything they make and serve. It's about honoring and sharing family and tradition.

- Alexa

Each excursion was so unique and memorable - we learned something new and met someone new on each one. This was my second time in Italy and I was able to do it completely gluten-free!

- Hillary

What I liked most about the trip was the blend of coordinated activities and free time. I loved staying in Levanto and being able to go to Cinque Terre if we wanted to. I felt like we were able to make as much out of the trip as we wanted, which was really nice.

We are staying in boutique hotels and apartments throughout the different cities in Italy. All attendees will be sharing a bedroom (2 single beds per room) unless a single room is requested and available.

Q: What does lodging entail?

We’ll miss the heck out of you! You can cancel your trip up to 180 days prior to the start date for a partial refund (50% of total trip cost). Your trip can be fully refunded if you are able to find a replacement, who must be approved by The Eating Expedition. The initial non-refundable deposit will not be refunded.

Q: What if I end up not being able to go?

Send us an email at info@theeatingexpedition.com! 

Q: What if I have additional questions?

There are fourteen (14) spots open for travelers, plus Morgan (trip host), Emma (trip photographer), Sumner (trip co-host), and Angela (trip co-host).

Q: How many people will be on the trip?

Frequently Asked Questions

Morgan Sinclair, MS, RDN, LD

Hey there! I'm Morgan Sinclair, founder of The Eating Expedition, registered dietitian, and your guide for our trip to Southern Italy!

My journey with food-focused travel begins in 2014 when I studied nutrition and food science in Northern Italy. Four weeks, fourteen cities, twenty foodies, and copious amounts of wine enjoyed in vineyards and parmesan cheese consumed in the company of ParmaLatte's red cows. Yeah, it was just as dreamy as it sounds. 

And it didn't stop there! I wanted to bring those experiences to people who love eating food as much as I do. Now I host trips around the world and off the beaten path, finding all the best food experiences along the way.

meet your travel team

Founder + Trip Guide   |   she/her

Emma D'Arpino, PhD, MS-HPEd, RD, LDN

Trip Photographer   |   she/her

Sumner Brooks, MPH, RDN

Trip Co-Host  |  she/her

Sumner Brooks is a registered dietitian, eating disorder advocate, Founder of EDRD Pro, and Executive Director of the Eating Disorder Provider Education Network (EDPEN). She is passionate about helping clinicians provide compassionate, evidence-based eating disorder care while also embracing the joy, connection, and cultural experiences that food can bring. A longtime lover of travel, Sumner especially enjoys exploring the diversity of food traditions around the world — and considering that bread and pasta are two staples in her own diet, Italy feels like the perfect destination. She can’t wait to get on that plane, explore Italy alongside colleagues and new friends, and share unforgettable meals and meaningful conversations along the way.

Angela Goens, MS, RDN, LD

Trip Co-Host  |  she/her

Angela Goens is a registered dietitian located in Minneapolis, MN. Her private practice is dedicated to removing barriers for marginalized communities seeking equitable eating‑disorder care, blending her nutrition therapy skills with a social‑justice lens. She is the co-founder of the BIPOC Eating Disorders Conference and serves as the Director of Education at EDRD Pro. Both of these roles are integral in providing clinicians with quality and thought-provoking practical education. Outside of her work life, Angela loves to go on travel adventures, always incorporating local culture and food into the itinerary!  

Emma D'Arpino is a queer, fat-positive dietitian, educator, and photographer based on the South Shore of Massachusetts. Through her work in nutrition and photography, Emma believes that bodies of all shapes, sizes, and identities deserve to be represented and celebrated beyond the curated standards so often seen online and in healthcare. Photography became a way for Emma to tell stories and capture the diversity of bodies too often absent from the images we see every day. Her photography focuses on creating images that feel honest, grounded, and rooted in real presence rather than performance.