It is with great honour that we, the Italian Federation of Associations of Hospital Internists (FADOI), will be hosting the 14th Winter School of the European School of Internal Medicine, February 15th – 21st 2026 in Puglia, Italy. We welcome you to wonderful Italy!
Last year’s school was a success and we are so grateful for all of our fantastic participants and lecturers from Europe and beyond. We hope to provide another year of diverse and exciting programme of lectures, workshops and social activities.
Please note that you cannot apply to the school directly from us, but only through your national organisation.
Internal Medicine residents will be handpicked from countries in the European region by their local organisations to participate in the School. The planned activities aim to improve not only clinical knowledge, but also to stimulate discussion and ideas. We hope residents will develop a better understanding of Internal Medicine and how it is practised in different parts of Europe and beyond. As well as having fun, participants will develop a social and professional network reaching across our region, which we hope will last many years into the future.
Scroll down or use the menu to learn more about the course.
We look forward to welcoming you to Italy for the 14th Winter School in February 2026!
General information
Arrival and welcome: Sunday 15th February 2026.
Departure: Saturday 21st February 2026.
Accommodation: Masseria Agrituristica Lama San Giorgio, Rutigliano, Puglia, Italy
Accommodation is included for the duration of the course (15th -21st February). If residents wish to arrive earlier or depart later – please liaise directly with the hotel for the extra nights.
Meals are included and will mostly be at the hotel.
Please note that rooms may be double, triple, or even quadruple, depending on the number of participants; therefore, participants must be willing to share a room with others of the same gender.
The decision to choose Bari as the location was driven by the desire to offer participants an immersive and enchanting experience. The goal was to find a place that fosters group engagement while being easily accessible and offering a variety of accommodations.
Bari, located on the stunning Mediterranean Sea, perfectly meets these criteria. This vibrant city, known for its breathtaking coastal views and lush landscapes, presents an ideal setting where history, culture, and nature blend harmoniously. From picturesque old streets to spectacular seafront promenades, Bari provides a backdrop that is both inspiring and inviting. Bari is much more than just a coastal destination: it is a city steeped in history and traditions that date back centuries.
As the capital of the Puglia region, Bari has long been a cultural and commercial hub, attracting visitors from all over the world.
One of Bari’s most fascinating features is Bari Vecchia, the city’s old town: through these streets is like stepping back in time, with ancient churches, traditional houses, and friendly locals greeting you along the way. In the heart of Bari Vecchia is the Basilica of San Nicola, one of the most iconic monuments of the city, mix of Romanesque and Byzantine architecture, built in the 11th century, an important place of pilgrimage, housing the relics of St. Nicholas, known worldwide as the inspiration for Santa Claus.
Bari boasts one of the longest and most beautiful seafront promenades in Italy. The Lungomare Nazario Sauro offers stunning views of the Adriatic Sea.
No visit to Bari is complete without indulging in its rich culinary tradition. The city is famous for its fresh Orecchiette Pasta (home-made) served with cime di rapa, panzerotti and focaccia barese.
Programme
Please be aware that small changes to the programme may happen right up until the school starts.
FADOI proposes a groundbreaking innovation for the ESIM Winter School: FADOI winter school will provide participants with the basics of clinical research methodology that will allow the conception and writing of a research project that will be set up during the school and developed in the following months within the participants’ departments, generating a multicenter research project.
The results of the research project will be published, by the school, in an international journal. The publication will represent the final objective of the work carried out, which will concretely contribute to building the participants’ curriculum.
Activities
There will be a programme of social activities during the week:
- A handmade Barese pasta experience
A handmade Barese pasta experience offers a deep dive into Puglia’s culinary traditions by learning to make the iconic orecchiette.
With guidance from local experts, participants craft fresh pasta using traditional methods. A competition will be organized among participants to prepare the most similar Orecchiette to the original, with a delicious prize for the winner!
- Guided Tour of the Castellana Caves
The Castellana Caves in Puglia are an underground karst system with stunning stalactites and stalagmites.
Visitors can choose between two guided itineraries to explore these natural wonders.
- Trip to the Trulli of Alberobello
A guided tour of Alberobello offers the chance to explore the trulli, ancient stone dwellings with conical roofs, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The experience includes visiting historic districts and entering a trullo to learn about its structure and history.
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Visit to a local winery with wine tasting
Polvanera is a winery located in Puglia, Italy, known for its commitment to sustainable viticulture and a rich variety of wines, including renowned local varietals. They produce wines reflect the unique characteristics of the terroir. Polvanera offers wine tastings and tours, allowing visitors to experience their wines and the beautiful surrounding landscape.
- Cocktail demonstration experience
A cocktail demonstration experience with a bartender allows participants to learn mixology techniques, ingredients, and presentation styles in an interactive setting. Attendees can taste the cocktails prepared during the session, making it a fun and engaging activity.
- Carnival party
A special Carnival party will be organized to give participants a taste of local culture and tradition with colorful masks, costumes, streamers, and lights, creating a festive and welcoming atmosphere to embrace the spirit of Carnival. The evening offered a perfect balance between professional networking and cultural immersion, making the School experience truly memorable.
- Visit to Centro di Selezione Equestre di Galeone
Thanks to a collaboration between Arma dei Carabinieri and FADOI, the residents of the school will have the honor of visiting Centro di Selezione Equestre di Galeone, managed by the Carabinieri Biodiversity Department, dedicated to the selective breeding, training, and preservation of native Italian horse breeds, supporting environmental protection and heritage conservation.
Travel
We recommend booking travel as soon as possible.
Residents need to arrive on February 15th for the dinner.
Residents depart after breakfast on February 21st.
Airplane to Puglia
- From your starting city in Europe, search for a direct flight or one with a single connection to Bari (BRI). Depending on where you depart from, airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet, Volotea, and others service routes to Bari.
- The closest airport to Rutigliano is Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI), located about 30km northwest of Rutigliano.
- There are also other airports in the region (e.g. Brindisi – BDS) but they are farther (about 100km) and less convenient.
- If there is no direct flight from your city, you may connect via a larger hub (e.g. Rome, Milan, or another major European airport) and then take a domestic flight to Bari.
From Bari Airport to Rutigliano
- By car or taxi / rental car: The drive from Bari Airport to Rutigliano takes about 30–40 minutes, depending on traffic.
- By train + local transport: You can travel from the airport into Bari city center, and then take a train or regional service toward Rutigliano.
- By bus / shuttle + train: Some bus or shuttle services may connect the airport to Bari central station or nearby towns, from which you can catch a train or local bus to Rutigliano.
Always check schedules in advance, especially for the last services of the day.
Please get in touch if you are struggling with travel arrangements.
Information for Residents
VISA
Residents from some countries may require a visa to enter Italy, predominantly non-EEA countries.
Check the information on this website for more information: Il visto per l’Italia
COVID
During the school we will be following the Italian national and local guidelines regarding Covid. At present there are no specific Covid restrictions or requirements for entry to Italy but this may of course change with short notice.
Please refer to this Institutional website for guidance: Ministero della Salute – Covid-19 – Viaggiatori
Puglia promises an unforgettable stay!
Choosing Puglia as a destination means embracing the best of southern Italy, a place where past and present coexist harmoniously, where the sea meets the city, and where every corner tells a story.
FADOI Winter School offers a unique experience of training, discovering natural wonders, cultural exploration, and building your professional journey
Contact: esim.winter.italy@fadoi.org
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