Review · ITALY BIRDWATCHING TOURS
Breakfast with parrots at Masseria Mazzetta with wildlife park
The morning begins with parrots at your table, then moves into the aviaries of Masseria Mazzetta, where you can see eagles, hawks, storks, and other birds of prey. After that, a keeper leads you through the stables of the Spanish horses. It is an appealing mix for families and animal lovers, with breakfast providing a gentle start before the more active parts of the visit.
I like the personal touch: Elisabetta welcomes you with breakfast, while Alessio and his assistant introduce you to the birds. I also like the close contact with smaller parrots such as Kri and Rio, plus a trio of inseparable birds known as la banda bassotti. The main consideration is the timing: the information gives a three-minute duration in one place, but the detailed program describes about four hours, so confirm the schedule by phone before you go.
Key points to know before booking

- Breakfast comes first: Start the visit with a meal served in the company of parrots.
- More than 40 bird species: The aviaries include birds of prey such as eagles, hawks, and storks.
- Personal animal encounters: You may meet parrots including Kri and Rio, along with three small inseparable birds.
- Spanish horses add variety: The final section visits the stables with a keeper and focuses on the horses’ elegance.
- Good for families: Children can learn about animals through direct contact, while adults with an interest in falconry have plenty to see.
- Check the length in advance: The supplied information lists both three minutes and a longer two to four-hour program.
Breakfast with parrots at Masseria Mazzetta

Masseria Mazzetta, also called La Corte del Falconiere, offers an unusual way to begin a day in Apulia. Instead of arriving for a standard farm visit, you start with breakfast alongside parrots. That simple change gives the experience its character. You are not just looking at animals from a distance, you are introduced to them during a relaxed meal.
Elisabetta handles the welcome and brings the breakfast. This first stage should suit families especially well because it offers a calm opening before the walking tour begins. Young children often respond quickly to colorful, vocal birds, and adults get a chance to settle in and learn what the visit will cover.
The breakfast itself is included in the $23 ticket. That makes the price worth considering as a small morning outing rather than only an animal display. You receive food, a guided visit to the aviaries, and access to the Spanish horse stables. The value depends on the final length of your visit, which is why I would confirm the schedule before paying.
The supplied description calls this a chance to learn about the world of parrots. That educational angle matters. You are not simply stopping for a photograph with a bird. The staff introduces you to the animals and gives the breakfast setting a purpose, helping you understand more about their behavior and care.
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Meeting Kri, Rio, and the small parrots

After breakfast, the visit turns toward direct contact with the parrots. Alessio and his assistant lead this section and introduce you to the world of falconry and bird keeping. One particularly appealing part is the chance to interact with Kri and Rio, two parrots named specifically in the experience details.
You may also meet three small inseparable birds, referred to as la banda bassotti. The nickname gives this part a playful family feel, but it also helps distinguish the smaller birds from the larger parrots and raptors seen later.
This is likely the most hands-on portion of the experience. If you are visiting with children, it gives them a clear focus and a chance to observe how different birds behave. Adults who already keep birds or enjoy animal care may appreciate the opportunity to ask questions, though the supplied information does not promise a formal training session or a bird-handling demonstration at every visit.
Keep expectations sensible. The experience says you can learn about parrots and interact with named birds, but it does not specify exactly how long each encounter lasts or whether every bird is available to touch. The staff controls the animals’ contact, so follow their instructions and let the parrots set the pace.
Walking through the aviaries of birds of prey

The next section takes you among the aviaries, with more than 40 birds of prey and other species. The descriptions refer to eagles, hawks, storks, and many additional birds. This variety gives the visit more range than a parrot-only breakfast.
Aviaries are useful for seeing these birds at close range while keeping a safe boundary between people and animals. You can look at the different sizes, shapes, and habits of the birds rather than rushing past a single display. The walk is guided, so you have someone to explain what you are seeing and help connect the birds to the broader subject of falconry.
For an adult interested in birds of prey, this may be the strongest part of the morning. Eagles and hawks have a very different presence from the smaller parrots, while storks add another point of comparison. The experience does not promise a flying demonstration, so book it for the aviaries and educational contact, not on the assumption that you will see a full falconry show.
The visit also includes free time and photo stops. That gives you some breathing room after the guided portions. You can look again at the animals that caught your attention, take photographs where permitted, and avoid the rushed feeling of a short stop.
Spanish horses and the stable visit
The final animal section moves from birds to horses. A keeper leads you through the stables of Spanish horses and explains their elegance. This change of pace is useful, especially for families with different interests. One person may be drawn to parrots, another to raptors, and someone else may prefer horses.
The stable visit is described as educational rather than as a riding session. There is no information about riding, grooming, or a horse show, so you should not book it expecting those activities. The value is in observing the horses and hearing from the keeper as you walk through the stables.
The Spanish horses also give the visit a quieter closing section. After the movement and color of the aviaries, the horses provide a slower chance to watch animal behavior and ask questions. The experience highlights their elegance, so this part should appeal to anyone who enjoys breeds, stable life, and close observation.
A photo stop is included in the broader program. Since the exact photography rules are not stated, ask the staff where pictures are allowed and how close you may get to the animals. This is especially important around birds and horses, which can react quickly to movement or noise.
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How long the visit really takes
There is an important timing problem in the supplied information. One section lists the duration as three minutes, while the itinerary describes a visit to Masseria Mazzetta lasting two hours, followed by another visit, guided tour, walk, and photo stop that also lasts two hours.
The actual description sounds like a substantial morning activity, not a three-minute stop. Breakfast, the parrot encounter, the aviary walk, and the horse stables would reasonably require more time than the short duration shown. Still, I would not assume the exact schedule. Call 3394508563 before booking and ask for the start time, expected finish, and whether the full bird and horse program is included on your chosen date.
This matters if you are building a day around Salice Salentino or arranging transport. A three-minute booking and a two-to-four-hour visit have very different effects on your plans. The phone reservation requirement gives you a direct way to clear up the discrepancy.
The $23 price and what you receive
At $23 per person, the experience offers a fair package if the full program runs as described. You receive breakfast, an introduction to parrots, access to the aviaries, a guided walk among more than 40 bird species, and a visit to the Spanish horses with a keeper.
The price is strongest for families. A standard wildlife attraction might charge separately for food, entry, and an animal encounter. Here, those elements are combined into one small morning outing. You also get human guidance rather than simply walking through on your own.
For a serious falconry enthusiast, value depends on the style of the visit. The experience gives access to birds of prey and an introduction to falconry, but it does not state that a flight demonstration or extended technical lesson is included. If that is your main reason for going, ask Alessio or the booking staff exactly what will take place during your visit.
The included breakfast also matters because it sets the tone. You are not paying only for admission to an animal park. You are paying for a hosted morning with food and several types of animal contact. That makes the cost easier to justify for visitors who want a relaxed, family-friendly activity rather than a large commercial attraction.
Who will enjoy this experience most
I would recommend this for adults who already like parrots, falconry, or horses, and for families who want children to see animals at close range. The combination of small parrots, large birds of prey, and Spanish horses gives the morning enough variety to hold different interests.
It also suits people who prefer a personal setting. The named staff members, Elisabetta, Alessio, and Alessio’s assistant, suggest a hosted visit rather than a self-guided walk through a large park. That can make the experience more approachable for first-time visitors who want explanations.
The activity may be less suitable if you want a fast sightseeing stop. Even the shorter itinerary details point to several sections, and the full description calls for breakfast, aviaries, and stables. Confirm the timing before you go, especially if you have a later lunch reservation or another tour.
You should also be comfortable around animals. The activity centers on direct contact and close observation, though the supplied details do not state how much handling is required. If anyone in your group has concerns, mention them when reserving.
Languages, access, and booking details
The live guide service is listed in English, Italian, and Spanish. That is useful in an international group, while Italian may be the easiest language for more detailed local conversation. Some content may appear in its original language, so ask for clarification if a section is not clear.
The experience is listed as wheelchair accessible. Because the program includes aviaries, stables, and walking sections, you should still confirm the route and access arrangements when reserving. The information confirms accessibility but does not describe the surface, distance, or stable layout.
Reservations are made by phone at 3394508563. The location is Via Contrada Mazetta, 73015 Salice Salentino, in the province of Lecce. Since the booking instructions specifically ask you to call, do not rely only on arriving without notice.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the booking terms allow you to reserve now and pay later. Those options help if your Apulia plans are still changing. They do not remove the need to confirm the visit length and start time.
Is Masseria Mazzetta worth booking?
I would book this experience if you want an intimate animal-focused morning with more variety than a simple parrot encounter. Breakfast with Kri and Rio, the smaller inseparable birds, the raptor aviaries, and the Spanish horses create a memorable sequence for a modest $23 price.
I would pause before booking if your main goal is a formal falconry show, horseback riding, or a tightly timed three-minute visit. None of those are clearly promised. Call ahead, confirm the actual duration, and ask what bird interactions and demonstrations will be available that day.
For families and adults who enjoy animals, the combination is hard to beat at this price. Just treat the timing discrepancy as something to solve before you go. Once that is clear, Masseria Mazzetta offers a personable, educational morning with parrots at the breakfast table and plenty more to see afterward.
FAQ
Where is Breakfast with Parrots at Masseria Mazzetta held?
It is held at Masseria Mazzetta La Corte del Falconiere, Via Contrada Mazetta, 73015 Salice Salentino, in Apulia, Italy.
How much does the experience cost?
The listed price is $23 per person.
Is breakfast included?
Yes. Breakfast is included in the ticket and is served in the company of the parrots.
Which animals can I see?
You can see parrots, more than 40 species of birds of prey and other birds, including eagles, hawks, and storks. The visit also includes Spanish horses in the stables.
Who leads the visit?
Elisabetta welcomes you with breakfast. Alessio and his assistant lead the falconry and parrot section, while a keeper guides the visit to the Spanish horses.
What languages are available?
Live guiding is available in English, Italian, and Spanish. Some content may be presented in its original language.
Is the experience wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.
How do I reserve, and can I cancel?
You reserve by phone at 3394508563. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance, and the booking terms allow you to reserve now and pay later.
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