Puglia

Come on a journey with me to Puglia, the region of olive trees, blissful nature and slow living - where the pasta is fresh and the sea is blue.

Bari is the capital of the Puglia region in southern Italy with history traced up to 2 thousand years. The most magical aspect of Bari is the Bari Veccia, the historic center or “old town” where every corner is full of charm and magic. It is made up of narrow and quaint alleys, small bars, charming churches and local shops. The old town is quite different to the new part of Bari, and remains the same as centuries ago. In these streets lies the magic of pasta making: a walk through Via Arco Basso, the “Strada della Pasta”, will show you the talented local women making orecchiette (Bari’s signature pasta) from scratch. Do not miss the opportunity to witness the true Apulian way in Bari!

Ostuni is one of Puglia’s most visited tourist attractions. Its old town is a charming entryway to Apulian history, full of places to shop and have an aperitivo. Ostuni is often known as "the White Town" (La Città Bianca) due to its white walls and architecture. To catch the sunset  here, visit Borgo Antico Bistro, a special bar with a scenic view and the perfect place for an Aperol Spritz. For a special vintage trinket visit La Mercanteria, an antique shop full of items that hold history. In Ostuni you will get a real taste of the Apulian way and get lost in the charming alleyways of the old town. Don’t forget to buy an antique item from one of the many vintage little shops to remember your trip!

Monopoli is a seaside town on the Adriatic Coast and the best place to live out your nautical fantasy in Puglia. The old port will make you feel like you are in a Medieval fantasy, as the structure of the port is reminiscent of an older world. The Monopoli port is always busy and colorful, full of sound and action. You can have a swim in the sea at the Cala Porta Vecchia, a stunning location to cool down in the summer months. You can enjoy a meal or a drink in any of the many cozy places hidden in the narrow streets of the town, where beige and white paint the walls and buildings. Don’t forget to bring your bathing suit and sunscreen to this ideal summer spot!

Polignano a Mare is a seaside town in the Adriatic Sea. The must-visit Cala Monachile will leave you breathless as the surrounding rocky cliffs and crystal waters make the beach seem like it come alive from a painting. The cool waters are a perfect way to chill down from the summer heat and a great location to relax on the pebbly sand. For a dreamy experience book a table at the Grotta Palazzese, a hotel restaurant built inside a cave. The food is served in courses and you can pair your meals with a fine local wine. The combination of calming music and the sound of the waves crashing against the cove will transcend you to another world. Beware of the prices, but it is definitely an experience worth having!

Wondering where to stay? I’ve got you covered! Trullo Sant’Anna is a trullo home in Puglia. A trullo is a traditional Apulian dry stone hut and an iconic symbol of the region. The trullo Sant’Anna is a magical home located in the fields of Ceglie Messapica surrounded by ancient olive trees and the blissful nature of the southern Italian countryside. This little nugget of paradise is the perfect location to spend your  Apulian holiday, as the tranquility and calm nature of the home makes it an ideal place for a getaway from the typical fast-paced daily routine. The adorable and quaint kitchen is fully functioning and you can prepare a nice meal made out of local products of the region. Enjoy it with a glass of local wine at the exterior dining table with the scenic nature as your view. On a chillier day, you can relax in the interior part of the trullo, with the white-painted walls offering a calming ambience. You’ll need a car to get to the trullo, which will also serve to take you from city to city, giving you the chance to explore the region better and with more ease. As a bug hater, I advise you to bring a bug spray with you as the trullo sits right in the middle of an open-space field and you will definitely run into a couple of unwanted friends! Or if you’re lucky, you’ll see a little lizard or a friendly field creature! Enjoy the slow-paced life in Puglia in the most charming trullo around!

A must-visit in Puglia is a masseria. A masseria in Italy is a large farm or estate where often wine, olive oil or other goods are produced. The Masseria Montenapoleone is a family-owned estate with centuries-old olive groves in the area of Fasano, Puglia, where olive oil, wine and fresh jam is produced. You can stay at one of the many available rooms or if you’re passing by for the day you can book one of the  experiences provided by the masseria such as cooking classes, olive oil tasting, wine tasting, a vineyard aperitivo experience, a Moroccan-style dinner, a picnic, and more. We chose the olive oil tasting and aperitivo experiences, which did not disappoint! At the olive oil experience, we were taken on a tour of the ancient olive groves and explained how the olive oil is made at the masseria and how olive production in Puglia works. After, we had the opportunity to try different olive oils - and yes, we did shots of pure olive oil! It was a rich  learning experience and super delicious! In the afternoon, we had an aperitivo in the vineyards - a delicious set of 10 gourmet finger food plates  designed by the masseria’s chef and accompanied by wine. We were able to give our dietary preferences as we are vegetarian, which was no problem! We ended the day with a drink in the vineyards watching the sun set. If you’re in the area and looking for an authentic masseria experience, don’t miss out on this spot!

Puglia is an amazing region to go to relax and immerse yourself in nature. On your holiday here, make sure to disconnect from the rituals of fast-paced daily life and take in your surroundings, try local food, and relax on a beach or under an olive tree. The best thing to do in The region is go for a morning swim to cool down, long walks through the old towns - stopping on the way for a drink or an aperitivo - and ending your day with a warm local-cooked meal and a glass of wine. One thing you should know if staying in a trullo or a countryside home is that a car is a must - you might have trouble getting from the city center of any given town to your countryside home without a car, and it is definitely a safer option for long night drives. A car will also allow you to drive from city to city, giving you the opportunity to see as much of the region as possible and truly immerse yourself in the Apulian way of life. If you’re on the fence about visiting Puglia, stop thinking and start booking!