Four days of art, culture, hospitality and authentic experiences in the heart of Puglia. From 21 to 24 September 2026, Casa Isabella Palazzo Ducale in San Basilio, Puglia, welcomed 50 leading wedding and event planners from Italy and around the world for an immersive four-day journey celebrating the essence of Puglia through art, hospitality, gastronomy, music, wellness and tradition.
Conceived and curated by international wedding and event planner Diana Da Ros, the Casa Isabella Palazzo Ducale Wedding Experience was designed not simply as a destination showcase, but as an invitation to discover Puglia through all five senses. Guests arrived from across Italy, as well as Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Brazil and the United States, including professionals from Boston, New York and Los Angeles. At the heart of the experience were Teresa Rizzo and her daughter Marianna Albanese, owners of Casa Isabella, who opened their historic residence with an unmistakably personal philosophy of hospitality: warm, attentive and deeply rooted in the culture of the territory.
Teresa Rizzo – Marianna Albanese – Diana Da Ros
The experience began by the sea at Kale’ Beach Club in Castellaneta Marina, where wellness, Mediterranean lifestyle and entertainment came together. A sound and voice experience led by yoga teacher Marilena Nardelli created a moment of reflection and connection before guests surrendered to the rhythm of the sea, swimming, music and DJ sets, accompanied by tastings of local specialities. As the sun began to set, the atmosphere evolved into a celebration of Puglian culture. Aperitivo and dinner were animated by the infectious energy of Terraross, creating a vibrant dialogue between traditional music and contemporary entertainment.
Beauty was also part of the experience, with the teams of Domenico Floriello and Tony Style offering make-up and hairstyling services. Fashion designer Cristiano Accogli and designer Noemi Orlando, with her distinctive Onbag creations, were among the special guests. The evening ended with a deeply symbolic ritual around a large fire. Guests were invited by shaman Antonio Spera to write on small white pieces of paper what they wished to leave behind, before casting them into the flames. A simple yet powerful gesture: letting go of the past and making space for new energy, new memories and new beginnings. The following day, Casa Isabella transformed into an authentic Art in Residence, celebrating the creativity and craftsmanship of Puglia through live demonstrations, encounters and artistic performances.
Guests witnessed the ancient art of ceramic-making during a live demonstration by Gaetano Fasano of Marcello Fasano Ceramiche, discovered the monumental papier-mâché works of Lapenna, and met the illustrators of Sacchetti Studio. The undisputed artistic protagonist of the evening was internationally renowned artist and photographer Maurizio Galimberti, who joined the event as special guest. Together with director and set designer Alessandra Moretti and publisher Andrea Casoli of Corsiero Editore, Galimberti presented a new documentary celebrating his extraordinary career. The film had recently received the Airone della Laguna Award, a collateral recognition connected to the Venice Film Festival.
In one of the evening’s most intimate moments, Maurizio Galimberti created a live portrait of Diana Da Ros, transforming photography into an unrepeatable artistic performance and a personal memory of the occasion. As night fell, Casa Isabella’s garden became the setting for a spectacular dinner. At the centre of the park, an elegant oval table designed by master floral designer Luciano Rizzi of Chiara Flora was surrounded by countless candles and branches of olive trees. But the most meaningful element was not simply the décor.
At the centre of the table, a Puglian woman demonstrated the traditional art of crochet, offering guests a glimpse into an ancient craft passed down through generations. It was perhaps the perfect expression of the entire concept: Puglia welcoming, telling and transmitting its heritage through its people. The atmosphere then shifted once again, as the Shaker Band brought the evening to life with a combination of live music and DJ set.
Fashion made its entrance with an exclusive presentation of bridal gowns by Pietro Demita Haute Couture, brought to Casa Isabella and presented by the Salvatore Valentini atelier, alongside a selection of sophisticated menswear. Models were prepared by make-up artist (Giulia Greco – Pinky G and hairstylist Valentina Caroli) Glamour Parrucchieri, adding another layer to the evening’s dialogue between fashion, beauty and creativity.
Casa Isabella: A Destination, Not Simply A Venue. What emerged over these four days was more than the beauty of a historic property. Surrounded by the peaceful Puglian countryside and centuries-old plants, Casa Isabella offers an intimate form of Italian hospitality in which guests are invited to feel genuinely at home. Its underground spa provides a private sanctuary for wellness, while La Cantina del Duca offers an intimate setting dedicated to wine, tasting and conviviality within the historic residence. Together with gastronomic experiences, the surrounding countryside and the proximity of the sea, these spaces allow Casa Isabella to create tailor-made programmes combining relaxation, culture, art, wellness, gastronomy and entertainment.
The possibility of connecting the residence with experiences at Kale’ Beach Club in Castellaneta Marina further expands its potential for destination weddings and bespoke events, turning a stay into a true emotional journey through Puglia. For Diana Da Ros, the essence of the project lies in the ability to create experiences that remain with guests long after they have left. “Casa Isabella represents perfectly what we are looking for today when designing a destination event: not simply a beautiful venue, but a place capable of giving guests something they will carry with them even after they have left.” Over the four days, the aim was to introduce guests to Puglia through every sense, the sea, food, art, music, craftsmanship, wellness and, above all, its people. Because luxury hospitality today is no longer defined solely by beautiful spaces or impeccable service. It is about emotion, authenticity and the creation of memories that cannot be replicated. That is precisely what made the Casa Isabella experience so distinctive.
Here, Puglia was not simply a backdrop. It was the story. The experience was documented by photographer Antony Pepe and filmmaker Antonino Coppola, capturing the most significant moments of a project that once again highlighted Puglia’s international appeal as a destination for the wedding and event industry, and Casa Isabella’s ability to transform hospitality into something deeply personal, authentic and unforgettable.
Credits: @casaisabellaexclusive / @kale_beachclub / @bluserena / @kalidriahotel / @antonino.ph / @antonio.spera.connect / @antonypepephotography / @ceramiche.fasano / @cristianoaccogli_brand / @domenico_floriello_en_beaute / @glamourparrucchierideva / @ass.magicclub_staff_lapenna / @lucianorizzi / @shri_yoga_puglia / @mauriziogalimberti_artist_free / @mongelli_service / @noemi_orlando / @onbag_ / @pinkyg_ / @sacchettistudio / @salvatorevalentini / @shakeragency_events / @terrarossofficial / @le_creazioni_di_svale / @tony_style_parrucchiere
Article edited by Diana Da Ros