What can I say, we just get things right in Italy! The food, the culture, the weather.

And when I met Luigi De Santis, CEO and founder of Inventure Life, I realised I’d met somebody who was as passionate about championing Italy’s unique place in the world as me.

Inventure Life is the official DMC for Connections Meetings in Puglia, and Luigi has been invaluable in the creation of the event. His local knowledge, experience and passion for all things Puglia has shaped a fantastic programme full of incredible local high-end incentive ideas.

I asked him why now is the time for Puglia to shine – here’s what he had to say.

Ciao

Micaela

Why Puglia for high-end incentives and events?

Puglia has experienced huge growth during the past five years. It has incredible natural assets –  the sea, the amazing landscapes. There’s Lecce, the capital of Baroque art in Italy. We have two international airports with flights from all over Europe. From next year, there will be direct flights from Bari to China, and there are also direct flights from Bari to Moscow. Step by step, we are increasing increasing the region’s ability to create services in terms of hotels, conferences and leisure activities. I believe in Puglia’s future.

Why did you create Inventure Life?

I’m traditionally a hotelier, and had worked in a five-star hotel for many years. I realised there was a variety of experiences that could be enjoyed by guests, however, it was very difficult for them to access them. So, I decided to put myself between experience providers and the clients. We create tailor-made experiences providing whatever guests need, from inbound transportation, private drivers, yachts, helicopters and all sorts of culinary experiences – wine tasting, cooking classes, olive oil tasting. And we do it to the highest standards and service.

What do you have in store for Connections delegates?

Expert sommeliers will teach delegates how to judge a good wine, as well as explain the history behind these incredible local products. They’ll also enjoy the most important commodity we have in Puglia, which is olive oil – the region is the number one producer of olive oil in Europe. I will arrange for one of the region’s greatest producers to attend and lead tastings. Another experience will be country yoga amid beautiful olive tree landscapes. Finally, we’ll have some nonnas (grandmas) come along and teach people at Connections Meetings how to make the best handmade pasta.

What would you like delegates to learn about Puglia?

What makes Puglia unique is simplicity. At the end of the day, luxury is not always gold and diamonds. It can be culture, a very high-quality product, it can be related to food and wine, and to the emotions of living life in a simple way. And that’s what we’re doing in Puglia.

Visit inventurelife.com

Connections Meetings in Puglia will take place at Masseria Torre Coccaro from November 18-21, 2018. To enquire about attending the next Connections Meetings in Italy in November 2019, please contact David Benitez on david@weareconnections.com