she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track Laura has a passion for all three disciplines When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads UCI governance and performing data analysis you will then be prompted to enter your display name The World Heritage Centre is at the forefront of the international community’s efforts to protect and preserve World Heritage partnerships for conservation Ensuring that World Heritage sites sustain their outstanding universal value is an increasingly challenging mission in today’s complex world where sites are vulnerable to the effects of uncontrolled urban development Our Partners Donate Take advantage of the search to browse through the World Heritage Centre information limestone dwellings found in the southern region of Puglia are remarkable examples of drywall (mortarless) construction a prehistoric building technique still in use in this region The trulli are made of roughly worked limestone boulders collected from neighbouring fields domed or conical roofs built up of corbelled limestone slabs Les trulli sont des habitations de pierre sèche de la région des Pouilles Ce sont des exemples remarquables de la construction sans mortier technique héritée de la préhistoire et toujours utilisée dans la région Les habitations surmontées de leurs toits pyramidaux sont construites avec des galets de pierre à chaux ramassés dans les champs voisins الترولّي هي مساكن من الحجر الجاف في منطقة "البوي" جنوب إيطاليا وهي أمثلة مذهلة للبناء من دون مِلاط وهذه تقنية موروثة من عصور ما قبل التاريخ وما زالت تستعمَل في المنطقة فالمساكن التي تعلوها سقوف هرمية أو قبّية أو مخروطية الشكل بنيت من حصى كلسية تُلَمّ في الحقول المجاورة 意大利普利亚区南部发现的圆顶石屋，是一种石灰石住所，是史前建筑技术中无灰泥建筑技术的典型代表，该技术在这一地区仍然沿用。圆顶石屋是由从附近地区采集来的石灰石石块粗糙堆砌而成的。由石灰石板撑起的金字塔形、圆锥形或球状屋顶是石屋的特色。 жилые крестьянские постройки из известняка являются уникальными примерами построек со стенами сухой кладки (без раствора) Подобная доисторическая технология строительства используется в этом регионе до настоящего времени «Трулли» строятся из грубо обработанных блоков известняка которые сооружаются из скрепляемых друг с другом известняковых плит Los trulli son viviendas de piedra caliza de la región meridional de Puglia Son ejemplos notables de construcciones sin mortero ejecutadas todavía hoy en día con una técnica heredada de los tiempos prehistóricos cúpula o cono están edificadas con cantos recogidos en los campos vecinos typical limestone dwellings of Alberobello in the southern Italian region of Puglia are remarkable examples of corbelled dry-stone construction dating from as early as the mid-14th century or conical roofs built up of corbelled limestone slabs Although rural trulli can be found all along the Itria Valley their highest concentration and best preserved examples of this architectural form are in the town of Alberobello where there are over 1500 structures in the quarters of Rione Monti and Aja Piccola The property comprises six land parcels extending over an area of 11 hectares The land parcels comprise two districts of the city (quarters or Rione Monti with 1,030 trulli; Rione Aia Piccola with 590 trulli) and four specific locations (Casa d’Amore; Piazza del Mercato; Museo Storico; Trullo Sovrano) the persistence of traditional building techniques together with the fact that trulli are still inhabited make this property an exceptional Historic Urban Landscape trullo) are traditional dry stone huts with a corbelled roof Their style of construction is specific to the Itria Valley in the region of Puglia Trulli were generally constructed as temporary field shelters and storehouses or as permanent dwellings by small-scale landowners or agricultural labourers Trulli were constructed from roughly worked limestone excavated on-site in the process of creating sub-floor cisterns and from boulders collected from nearby fields and rock outcrops the buildings are rectangular forms with conical corbelled roofs The whitewashed walls of the trulli are built directly onto limestone bedrock and constructed using a dry-stone wall technique (that is The walls comprise a double skin with a rubble core A doorway and small windows pierce the walls An internal fireplace and alcoves are recessed into the thick walls comprising a domed inner skin of wedge-shaped stone (used in building an arch or vault) capped by a closing stone; and a watertight outer cone built up of corbelled limestone slabs The roof structure sits directly on the walls using simple squinches (corner arches) allowing the transition from the rectangular wall structure to the circular or oval sections of the roofs The roofs of buildings often bear mythological or religious markings in white ash and terminate in a decorative pinnacle whose purpose is to ward off evil influences or bad luck Water is collected via projecting eaves at the base of the roof which divert water through a channelled slab into a cistern beneath the house Flights of narrow stone steps give access to the roofs The trulli of Alberobello represent a dry-stone building tradition Scattered rural settlements were present in the area of present day Alberobello around one thousand years ago (1,000 AD) The settlements gradually grew to form the villages of present-day Aia Piccola and Monti In the mid-14th century the Alberobello area was granted to the first Count of Conversano by Robert d’Anjou in recognition of service during the Crusades By the mid-16th century the Monti district was occupied by some forty trulli but it was in 1620 that the settlement began to expand By the end of the 18th century the community numbered over 3500 people awarded to Alberobello the status of royal town After this time the construction of new trulli declined Between 1909 and 1936 parts of Alberobello were protected through designation as heritage monuments Criterion (iii): The Trulli of Alberobello illustrate the long-term use of dry-stone building a technique which has a history of many thousands of years in the Mediterranean region Criterion (iv): The Trulli of Alberobello are an outstanding example of a vernacular architectural ensemble that survives within a Historic Urban Landscape context Criterion (v): The Trulli of Alberobello is an outstanding example of human settlement that retains its original form to a remarkable extent encompasses all the elements necessary for an understanding of the form layout and materials of the trulli that are the basis for Outstanding Universal Value The property achieves this by including two quarters of the town dominated by trulli and examples of outstanding trullo-style structures (Trullo Savrano a rare example of a two-storey building; Piazza del Mercato a historic market area linking Monti and Aia Piccola District; the Casa d’Amore converted to a tourist information building; and Museo Storico The intactness of the property is evidenced in the state of preservation of many of the trulli and in the surviving original stonework that is characteristic of these built structures The wholeness of trulli of Alberobello is visible in the number of surviving and largely original buildings (over 1,600); in the well-preserved layout of the two quarters in which the highest concentrations of trulli are found; and in the urban landscape setting of Alberobello surrounded by agricultural countryside The property has no defined buffer zone and its urban and rural setting is vulnerable to pressures from urban development By virtue of the simplicity in design and construction of the trulli it has been possible to preserve their authentic form and decoration intact The provisions of the General Housing Plan for Alberobello operate to prevent inappropriate additions to or modifications of historic buildings While the overall urban fabric has survived to a remarkable degree there has been a certain measure of loss of authenticity in individual buildings The Trulli of Alberobello as a historic urban architectural ensemble is well preserved and authentic in its form and design make a clearly recognisable and distinctive group The property includes outstanding examples of trullo (for example Trullo Savrano) and over 1,600 buildings in the typical trulli style The limestone from which the trulli are constructed and the lime whitewash used to paint the walls reflect the local geology and landscape setting The two quarters of more than 1,600 trulli are authentic in relation to their urban hillside locations street layouts and the distinctive skylines of conical stone corbelled roofs with decorative pinnacles and roof markings A 2007 State of Conservation report for the Trulli of Alberobello notes that authenticity is compromised with regard to building function 30% of the trulli were in commercial use (primarily as tourist accommodation) and 30% were in residential use (concentrated in the Rione Aia Piccola) At that time it was anticipated that residential use would continue to decline Potential threats to the authenticity of the property are the abandonment of trulli; costs associated with adaptive re-use of abandoned trulli; some disregard for building regulations (e.g. in regard to doors and windows); and tourism impacts (and in particular the numbers of tourists in the high season and consequent impact on visitor experience) Despite threats to the property from urban development and increasing touristic activity it retains a high-level of truthfulness and credibility with regard to its expression of Outstanding Universal Value The protection and management of the Trulli of Alberobello has a history extending from the beginning of the 20th century The Trullo Sovrano was declared a national monument in 1923 and the Rione Monti in 1928 To these were added the Rione Aia Piccola and Casa d’Amore in 1936 protection and management require the cooperation of public institutions at different levels of government: National The property is protected under national cultural heritage legislation: the ‘Codice dei Beni Culturali e del Paesaggio’ or ‘Code for Cultural Heritage and Landscape’ (Legislative Decree 42/2004) Local offices of the ‘Ministero per i Beni e le Attività culturali’ (Regional Management and Supervision) undertake monitoring to ensure compliance with national legislation Law 72/1979 (‘Preservation of the natural and cultural environment of the Puglia Region’) establishes regulations with regard to the historical-cultural identity of locations the surrounding landscape and of areas of natural importance Law 72/1979 played an important role in providing finance to restore and preserve trulli though such funding now derives from European Union sources The principal planning document used by the Town Council of Alberobello to protect the Trulli of Alberobello is the General Housing Plan (GHP) of the Town of Alberobello (1978 with subsequent revisions) It establishes regulations for town planning and restoration of trulli Practical guidance is provided to trullo owners in the Handbook of Trulli Restoration (Storia e Destino dei Trulli di Alberobello: Prontuario per il Restauro) (published in 1997) A 2011 Management Plan developed for the Trulli of Alberobello provides a basis for drafting a new General Urban Plan for the town of Alberobello The way in which restoration and maintenance of the trulli are undertaken is prescribed in local legislation and it is illegal to demolish The management and control of the property is entrusted to the ‘Ufficio Centro Storico’ of Alberobello (Municipal Office for the Historical Centre) At municipal level the in-force planning tool is the General Urban Plan approved in 1980 whose primary objective is the recovery of the trulli located in the historical center The implementation of the General Plan in the neighborhoods of the historical center takes place through compulsory Recovery Plans: Recovery Plans for Conservative Restoration (related to actions aimed at the conservation of the physical characters of the settlement) and Recovery plans for Restoration and Renovation (defining combined actions for recovery and building renovation) In 2011 the Management Plan for the property was adopted; it addresses future policies and actions to preserve its integrity balance its conservation with local development and valorize its cultural meanings including the landscape and the intangible components The Management Plan outlines measures to ensure the long-term conservation of the property and explores ways in which its attributes can help provide resources for the benefit of the residents The Management Plan identifies three key strategic areas: protection of the area by conserving and maintaining the integrity of the property and the visual qualities of the wider historic town and agricultural landscape setting; usability of the property in relation to public infrastructure in the areas of transport and tourism; and branding of the area to promote tourist use and connections between the attributes of Outstanding Universal Value and sustainable local products (for example the Management Plan identifies a series of project priorities in relation to the three strategic areas Please activate JavaScript function on your browser Actor Lee Se-young praised Kwak's personality In tvN's "Europe Outside the Tent - Romantic Italy," which aired on the 31st Lee Ju-bin and Lee Se-young touring Alberobello and Lee Se-young enjoyed the scenery while walking around Alberobello and Ramiran drank an orange cocktail and admired it "I knew why I fell in love with Kwak Sun-young Don't you say 'I'm tired' or 'I can't do this' but 'I like it so much' and 'That's why we have more fun'?" he praised How can you be so pretty?" That's why," he said "Europe Outside the Tent - Romantic Italy" airs every Thursday at 8:40 p.m ※ This service is provided by machine translation tool '+n.escapeExpression("function"==typeof(o=null!=(o=r(e,"eyebrowText")||(null!=l?r(l,"eyebrowText"):l))?o:n.hooks.helperMissing)?o.call(null!=l?l:n.nullContext||{},{name:"eyebrowText",hash:{},data:t,loc:{start:{line:28,column:63},end:{line:28,column:78}}}):o)+" \n '+(null!=(o=c(e,"if").call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2PreText"):l,{name:"if",hash:{},fn:n.program(32,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:63,column:20},end:{line:63,column:61}}}))?o:"")+"\n"+(null!=(o=(c(e,"ifAll")||l&&c(l,"ifAll")||n.hooks.helperMissing).call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Text"):l,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Link"):l,{name:"ifAll",hash:{},fn:n.program(34,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:64,column:20},end:{line:70,column:30}}}))?o:"")+" but also quite alive in the popular imagination This year, though, they set out to tell a different kind of Italian story. There’s no way to call a five-day event in which ultra-high net worth clients from around the world party together and vie against each other for five- and six-figure dresses a humble affair, but like other designers in this moment of global chaos and uncertainty, Dolce and Gabbana feel drawn to symbols of realness. Arrow“This is heaven for Instagram,” a fellow show-goer declared as we made our way down a cobbled street at magic hour. The brand replaced the local asphalt for the occasion in a give-and-take exchange, but at the press conference before the show, Gabbana made it clear: “This is not a pantomime, we want to show what’s real.” Dolce, for his part, called it “the most authentic show of our lives,” expanding on the thought, “it’s clothes for cooking, but in an Alta Moda way, and why not?” Towards the end, the feminine looks, which included a few runway-spanning hoop skirts, apparently a first for the designers, were interspersed with masculine cut embroidered smoking jackets and tuxedos. Dolce and Gabbana were doing this kind of runway role playing way back in their early days. That’s another way they created the sense of authenticity they were after, by playing up their own strong roots. Models arrayed on a hilly street of Alberobello, with local craftspeople looking on Pompeii– you might think you’ve seen all Italy has to offer already but have you heard about the town built with a style of architecture so old a small town with 11,000 inhabitants in Puglia (in the heel of the boot on the map) that looks like it came straight out of a Lord of the Rings film set Alberobello has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites list since 1996 but only very recently has been gaining interest from off-beat travel enthusiasts outside of Italy These little white-washed beehive-like houses you see are known as trulli (singular: trullo) Using a technique that’s been around since neolithic times they were built using dry stone masonry such as limestone from the surrounding area The first dwellings in Alberello appeared after the 16th century some say due to the high taxation on property which prompted the people of Puglia to create dry wall constructions that could be easily dismantled when word spread of inspectors coming to the area Many of the cone roofs have white symbols painted on them which are mostly Christian symbols for luck such as a cross or a heart pierced by an arrow the trulli settlements started being deserted by residents Today in the old town centre of Alberebello local residents do still live in unrestored trulli dating back to the 18th century but with poor heating in the winter and little light they do so mostly because they cannot afford to move out or because they provide bed and board for Italian tourists. In the late 1990s however Guido Antionetta would inject new life and purpose into the sleepy ghost town a handful of entrepreneurs have bought abandoned trulli and brought their hotelier experience to the area Trulli e Puglia is a charming classically restored collection of very affordable self-catering trullis available to rent as holiday villas Decorated with warm and traditional Pugliese interiors the houses can sleep up to 8 people for just € 295,00 a night Bear in mind the Adriatic sea is a short drive away one of Italy’s most beautiful seaside towns built on a cliff Visit here for more information Masseria Rosa Relais is a B&B resort hotel amongst olive groves and vineyards. The local olive oil can be purchased directly at the Relais Relais Masseria Rosa’s facilities include complimentary wireless internet access, a barbecue area, a marvellous garden and an outdoor swimming pool. Rooms start from around €69 per night per person Despite the presence of hotels and trickling tourism the elderly locals still congregate at the local bar and exchange gossip on the piazza As you wander the white-washed cobbled streets you’ll see women hanging their washing or sitting in doorways just watching the world go by or pealing their vegetables mostly owned by the children of the old townspeople there is still no danger of this being a town overrun by tourists © Chiarra Marra For extra off-beat tips on the area such as a back dirt road into yesteryear, head to Reid Guides “The area seems frozen in the Apulia of ages past blanketed with olive groves and vineyards and dotted with hundreds of countryside trulli though: do not follow the signs…” Last Updated on July 16, 2021 by Pauline Harboe The TimesItaly is a country crammed with beautiful accommodation choices from rustic farmhouses with pools to converted palaces But perhaps the most distinctive — and memorable — option is the trullo conical-roofed huts that you’ll see within seconds of searching #Puglia These hobbit house-esque homes are often found in the Valle d’Itria a fertile plain in Puglia’s agricultural heartland Historically it was an area of high taxation and extreme rural poverty; the huts were built as temporary homes that could be dismantled when the taxman visited these trulli houses are some of Puglia’s most sought-after stays — beautiful conversions that are the perfect partner to the heel’s white-washed hilltop towns and sun-dappled vineyards Read on for our pick of the best you can rent for your next getaway Best for local walksThere’s no shortage of trulli-turned-holiday homes to rent in Puglia but a good number of them tend to be rather rustic and old-fashioned in style with modern bathrooms and natural fabrics giving them the vibe of a boutique hotel The garden and outside hot tub is shared by the apartments and you can glimpse the rooftops of Locorotondo through fig almond and cherry trees — a glorious sight at sunset but the location can be tricky to find by GPS so ask ahead for directions if you’re unsure Ceglie MessapicaBest for a family holidayThis renovated trullo near Ceglie Messapica has been transformed into a plush two kitchens and a magnificent private pool It’s a great option for staying with friends or the extended family and owners Stefano and Olivia are fonts of local knowledge always on hand with recommendations for local restaurants with a cooking school and some excellent restaurants to try including the much-lauded Cibus: reservations essential CisterninoBest for design flairThe passion project of local architects Aldo Flore and Rosanna Venezia this restored rural village (the borgo) is between Ostuni — known as the White City — and chic Cisternino It’s home to 14 elegant rooms and suites within its 42 trulli — simple Once the lodgings of a community of farmer-monks today the borgo sits pretty in 15 acres of olive groves with the sexiest of swimming pools at the centre Olive oil and wine tasting — check out the sweet trullo wine bar — are available on site along with cookery classes (using produce from the abundant kitchen garden) Martina FrancaBest for poolside mealsEight slate-topped cones rise up like pointy hats beside the pool at this attractive trullo stay Set in a pleasant garden filled with olive trees and summer blossoms with four bedrooms and a big veranda area for al fresco meals The trullo’s interior stonework has been impeccably restored and while the decor is old-fashioned in places The garden is a delightful place to enjoy a bottle of Martina’s renowned white wine: it comes in still and spumante style AlberobelloBest for escaping the crowdsIn high summer Alberobello can feel a little like Disney central: 1,600 trulliin a hilltop Unesco world heritage site bursting at the seams with visitors curious to explore Trulli Anti is a refuge from the crowds — a group of six carefully restored structures hidden in the narrow lanes otherwise crammed with trattorias with access to outdoor space and a shared pool — unusual in Alberobello The town is well worth a stop (out of season) the skill employed in its ancient building techniques and its unfailingly warm welcome OstuniBest for rustic relaxationDespite the position of this fortified farmhouse at the foot of the White City’s hill Masseria Le Carrube is a world away from the bustle of metropolitan Ostuni Once a frantoio producing top-notch olive oil the masseria still retains much of its rustic charm — though its 14 rooms and suites (plus one tiny trullo) are modern in design and slick in execution Bougainvillea weaves throughout the courtyards while lemon trees and cacti frame the house This riot of vegetation reminds you of the plant-based message here and Massimo Santoro’s vegetarian restaurant is one of the best in the region super-luxe sister property Borgo Egnazia is a 30-minute drive away Best for age-old romanceBang in the middle of the trulli of Alberobello Each of its six conical rooms is named for an ancient profession — the poet the midwife and the knight — and though simple (the obligatory white walls Touches of luxury such as four-poster beds underfloor cooling and flamboyant Grottaglie ceramics add to the sense of a refuge out of time And it’s close enough to the celebrated two-storey Trullo Sovrano museum to allow visitors a glimpse of what real trullo living must once have been like OstuniBest for understated luxuryThis 16th-century fortified farmhouse is that rare thing in Puglia: a luxury hotel that has a combination of restored trulli and boutique-style rooms that feel properly The frescoed chapel here was once a place of pilgrimage and that sense of stillness pervades the estate: whitewashed courtyards populated with bottle-green cacti and bright bunches of bougainvillea; shady communal areas with generous daybeds; and a sparkling pool in a repurposed sinkhole Patrizia Avellino has reimagined Cervarolo with infinite care recycling old farm objects throughout the 18 rooms and suites to create an earthy atmosphere Chunky wooden doors are now bedheads and tables; yokes for beasts of yore make lamps and racks Weekly cooking classes and wine-tasting sessions are free for guests AlberobelloBest for hotel servicesThere are tiny trulli — and then there’s the four-star five minutes from the centre of Alberobello surrounded by impossibly green lawns and acres of cherry the hotel also has its own dry-stone trulli village a handful of turreted rooms complete with air conditioning you can make use of all the 21st-century hotel services: Nobis restaurant and free summertime shuttles to the nearest beach clubs Best for a hotel-style stay “The kind of beauty that infiltrates slowly” is what matters most at Leonardo — and hotelier Rosalba Cardone has put Nietzsche’s idea into practice with a collection of joyful rooms and suites divided between the carefully restored trulli and neighbouring villino decorated in the bright colours and powerful prints of the northern Salento region believe not just in living well — massage treatments a saltwater swimming pool and mountain bikes are all available — but in eating well tours and tastings to local vineyards (the Negroamaro here is exceptional) Leonardo Trulli Resort (Gianni Buonsante)11 AlberobelloBest for making an entranceA helicopter parked on the lawn is the last thing you’d expect to find in front of your average hobbit house is taking its service culture to sophisticated new heights It’s the closest you’ll get to a boutique hotel around here The Hermes and Zeus suites are top of the range: perfectly appointed stonework cream chesterfields and white linens a pristine backdrop for the fashion-forward objets d’art that decorate the rooms An infinity pool surrounded by elegant planting looks out across the village rooftops and the spa offers massages and treatments The resort can arrange day trips to Ostuni as well as the opportunity for messing about in boats MonopoliBest for natureIt’s easy to get back to nature at Nina Trulli Resort The 11 trullo rooms and suites are filled with recycled furniture made by skilled local craftsmen Pugliese ceramics and a bunch of quirky objects found in a variety of barns and outhouses has hearty food sourced from the garden and orchard while breakfast is served in the rustic splendour of the old farmyard yoga and cookery courses are just a few of the activities available — along with trips led by local expert Marialuisa TritoBest for simple pleasuresTruddhi is the dialect term for Puglia’s traditional trulli and this cluster of ten charming apartments deep in the green heart of the Valle d’Itria Accommodation ranges from double studios (check out the sweet Corbezzolo) to the eight-bed Trullo della Nonna: all simple but well equipped open fireplaces and private patios with sun loungers plums and apples from the walled garden and olives straight from the trees There’s a communal alfresco kitchen with a pizza oven you can hang out with new friends and share a glass of the local Negroamaro Truddhi• Best things to do in Puglia• Italy’s most amazing ancient sites — and what to see there Inspired to visit Puglia but yet to book your trip? Here are the best packages from Tui and BA Holidays Sign up for the Times Travel Newsletter here A Life in Images is the title of the exhibition promoted by theCulture Department of the Municipality of Alberobello and organized by Bass Culture srl and Rjma Cultural Projects in collaboration with Locus Festival and Diffusione Italia Internationalche 2023.“The path under the banner of the internationalization and cultural innovation of Alberobello is traced,” explains Valeria Sabatelli who adds that "among the artists who in the 20th century stood out for their originality of content and expression who became an icon of the generational revolution and women’s emancipation for her art and especially for the events of her countercultural life extraordinarily documented by photos taken by some of the greatest photographers of the 20th century." The exhibition is set up in the Museum of the Territory - Casa Pezzolla protected byUNESCO and consisting of 15 communicating trulli where the uniqueness of rural architecture will meet with images of Frida and her Casa Azul in Mexico City which has now become the much-visited Frida Kahlo Museum The exhibition will be accompanied by side events such as a concert by Max Gazzè with theOrchestra della Notte della Taranta on June 30 in largo Martellotta a performance by Frida Bollani Magoni on August 7 at Trullo Sovrano and a series of literary events organized by theSpine Cultural Association inside the striking Casa Pezzolla “The gender revolution that sees in Frida a pioneering figure,” adds Mayor Francesco De Carlo "has been present in every activity of my executive since she took office From the first European project No women No panel to the identification of qualified female figures in the political/institutional and managerial spheres." reconstructs the events of the great Mexican artist’s countercultural life in search of the motivations that turned her into a female and pop icon internationally The photos were taken by her father Guillermo during his daughter’s childhood and youth and then by some of the mostÌ€ great photographers of her era to whom an installation in the garden of Palazzo Pezzolla is dedicated: Leo Matiz This extraordinary “photo album” chases the often painful but always passionate events of a life A group of very intimate small photographs of Frida The exhibition itinerary first reconstructs the context in which her personality took hold: it is early 20th century Mexico traversed by a revolution that changed its history thanks to humble campesinos and heroic protagonists such as Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata The epic and myth of the Mexican revolution would remain etched in Frida’s mind and shape her indomitable character fueling her sense of rebellion against bourgeois conventions and the impositions of a strongly masculinist societyÌ€ Against this backdrop are the events of the Kahlo family is a professional photographer of German origin who came to Mexico in 1891 and soon fell in love with the country that welcomed him In the exhibition he is pictured with Matilde Calderon A number of lithographs by Rufino Tamayo along with the original catalog of Frida’s exhibition the first “manifesto of revolutionary painting” signed by Breton and Rivera are to testify to the vibrant artistic culture that characterized Mexico in the first decades of the century Frida grew up in the myth of a revolutionary Mexico and found in painting a passionate with which she told her story without hypocrisy in search of his own identity and reason for living In his many self-portraits he is not afraid to lay bare his own weaknesses and anxieties Alongside Frida is often portrayed Diego Rivera the painter and muralist with whom she shared an intense and turbulent relationship that spanned much of her life But other figures such as Leon Trotsky and André Breton also appear The exhibition concludes with a video that brings together the few filmed images of the great Mexican artist The reception and exit room features a photographic documentation of her famous Casa Azul Diego Rivera donated to the Mexican state to create the Frida Kahlo Museum The entire exhibition is accompanied by an audio guide available to all visitors Portrait of Frida Kahlo after the death of her mother Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Search for shows online and experience them offline Il Tacco di Bacco is a tool designed to enhance the quality of our lives A fulfilling existence is built on authentic connections which we believe can only arise in the real world This is why we’ve created a guide to help you navigate We provide the means; you discover the purpose Ten-outs of tvN's "Europe Outside the Tent - Romantic Italy" will taste the peak of romance In the third episode of tvN's "Europe Outside the Tent - Romantic Italy (directed by Lee Min-jung and Yoon Jae-won)," which will air on the 31st Lee Ju-bin and Lee Se-young's journey to Matera will be revealed following the real-life Smurf town of "Alberobello." the four of Tenguanz fall in love with Trulli's cute charm reminiscent of the mushroom house where Smurf lived It is said that even in the pouring crowd carrying about 30kg of backpacks the four people continue to admire the pretty village they cannot take their eyes off Interest is added to the reason why Trulli Human planner Lee Se-young runs around for her sisters but she is even more curious because she encounters unexpected situations A visit to a traditional grocery store experienced in the heaven of ingredients is also expected packed only with local foodstuffs from Alberobello With the opening of the wallet of general manager Kwak Sun-young the shopping for food ingredients begins in earnest curiosity is soaring about what the purchase list of the (Gan) restaurant director Ra Mi-ran will be Through the journey of four people visiting the ancient city of Matera 3,000 years ago it is expected to provide another true aspect of Italy that you may not have known before which is also the filming location for "Benhe" and "007," shows that the four Ten Outsans are properly overwhelmed "Oh my God," and "No way." The adventures of four people traveling in time to an ancient city preserved as if they had made an accidental landing in ancient times are already exciting Questions are also raised in the story that reminds of a chase who climbed the stairs of a maze-like alley are provoking curiosity about what happened by predicting a scene in which they run and breathe wildly as if they were being chased by something Lee Se-young is said to have left a hot confession to Kwak Sun-young "There was a reason I fell in love with him," drawing attention The third episode of tvN's "Europe Outside the Tent - Romantic Italy" will air at 8:40 p.m Actor Lee Joo-bin captivated viewers with his sloppy charm again this time In tvN's "Europe-Romantic Italy Outside the Tent" (hereinafter referred to as "Outside the Tent") Lee Ju-bin and Lee Se-young were pictured enjoying a special day in the fairytale village of Alberobello the members arrived in Italy's iconic 'Smurf Village' Alberobello and began their journey in earnest "Where are my sunglasses?" causing laughter "Are you wearing sunglasses?" Lee Ju-bin was embarrassed but embarrassed "I've done some comedy," giving viewers another big laugh and experienced the unique history and culture of the region Residents of Alberobello were surprised to hear a funny anecdote that poor farmers built houses that could easily collapse to avoid taxes and disguised themselves as if they were under construction by removing roof-top stones the lifestyle of the old residents who lived in the house with livestock gave a fresh shock to all the members Lee Ju-bin tried to copy the ion drink commercial at Lee Se-young's request The members also burst into laughter at the appearance and the scene was colored with a pleasant atmosphere which ended in a cute failure despite her efforts to catch up with the advertisement made her sloppy beauty shine even more throughout the broadcast the members who arrived at the accommodation enjoyed relaxing in the cool natural wind Kwak Sun-young provided a comfortable break for her tired sisters by using a customized fan from "Mi-wind" to "Retro-style." Lee Ju-bin doubled the fun of travel with small happening and transformed into a cute "ion drink girl" as much as she looks in a commercial narrow roads in the centre are lined with trulli that have been made over as restaurants and sweet stores selling trinkets this town has winding streets leading to centuries-old churches and chalky houses covered with climbing vines and cacti clusters of buzzing aperitivo bars are packed with locals on their passeggiata Don’t miss the famous coffee from Bar Turismo easily identifiable thanks to the customers sitting on the steps outside with its signature pour: made with a shot of amaretto head into the old town and find La Balconata sul Mare The best beaches in Italy to visit this summer this hilltop town has olive groves stretching to the Adriatic Sea about 40 minutes down the coast from Polignano a Mare Get lost in the narrow streets that climb up to restaurant La Piazzetta Cattedrale before stopping in one of the bars serving perfect Negronis that line the cobbled alleys the quiet medieval port town of Monopoli has a sandy beach and plenty of authentic pizzerias There’s a promenade to stroll along while admiring the traditional blue fishing boats bobbing in the Porto Vecchio harbour laundry hangs from balconies and local nonnas handcraft regional orecchiette pasta on the doorsteps of family-run restaurants where yachts dock in the harbour and a beautiful Romanesque duomo is set right over the sea This little village is about an hour’s drive north of Bari with a web of streets that make up the old town and a thrumming Jewish quarter Nearly all of its many churches – there are more than 40 dotted across the city – were built in the 17th century which gives the place a real sense of architectural symmetry The relaxed feel stems from the fact that this is a university town and the surrounding area is greener and more wild than elsewhere in Puglia – the Parco Nazionale del Gargano is brilliant for hiking this is the biggest village in Valle d’Itria The pretty old town is separated from the new town by baroque gates which when Martina Franca was a completely walled fortress The piazzas are home to grand duomos and palazzos: don’t miss Basilica di San Martino Keep scrolling to see more photos of the prettiest towns in Puglia 104 beautiful pictures of Italy The prettiest small towns in Italy The best villages in and around Cinque Terre, Italy Alberobello's Unesco protected trulli were influenced by some medieval creative accounting The last weekend of May found me wandering around Puglia Our first priorities were, as you can well imagine, to top up our vitamin D levels with the steady application of sunshine and to top up our pasta levels with the steady application of orecchiette in very many tradition-respecting local forms It was thus that we found ourselves in the pretty town of Alberobello as I’m sure you cultured people will be aware [See also: The 2023 Spear’s Tax & Trust Indices] And as it turns out trulli – and you can believe I had to be restrained from blurting ‘madli deepli’ every time the subject was raised – are rather an interesting thing The centre of Alberobello is absolutely full of them in two varieties: the detached and the semi the latter having two humps and the former one they look – little grey conical roofs side by side thronging the narrow streets and practically every trullo in the place now serving in the office of a gift shop where you could buy keyrings plaster ornaments of pots of Pugliese honey in the distinctive shapes of even smaller trulli My brother, googling away, discovered that this cherished regional tradition had its origins not in some quaint quirk of medieval culture or distinctive response to the landscape or natural resources of the area. It was a tax avoidance scheme [Dwindling number of non-doms pay record tax bill] the local nabobs were fond of levying extremely high tax on property eschewed bricks and mortar and instead took to building small structures dry-stone-walling-style so that if word got round that tax inspectors were nearby I like to picture a tax-efficient Pugliese entrepreneur standing in a field evenly scattered with blocks of stone and whistling in ostentatious innocence as a suspicious-looking taxman clip-clopped past on his donkey ‘Are you sure you don’t own any houses?’ the latter might ask Students of tax avoidance will already be aware of the effect of window taxes in 18th-century England Houses with 10-20 windows paid four shillings more than those with a more modest number and it was eight shillings if you lived in a property with more than 20 windows Rather than get clobbered by the Board of Taxes the owners of grand houses simply bricked the things up – though maybe not so firmly as to make it difficult to reglaze them between inspections But having to take your house to bits altogether: that takes it to quite another level We hear much about the lengths to which some people will go to reduce their personal tax burdens Should we not, sometimes, take a step back and instead celebrate such displays of ingenuity? We hear grumbling, too, about the incentives that tax regimes generate, forcing entrepreneurs to cool their heels in Belize or the British Virgin Islands or vast multinationals to think it sensible to operate – officially at least – from a brass-plate office next door to a dentist in some obscure crown dependency Perhaps, occasionally, we should also celebrate the contribution to the quirkiness of global culture and the gaiety of nations that this dance inadvertently makes? Without tax avoidance, we would not have had the glories of the early-Noughties British film industry (I like to imagine that some readers will have been proud investors in Sex Lives of the Potato Men) [See also: How a decade of golden visas shaped Portugal’s property market] We would not have had those windowless mansions of the Anglo-Irish ascendency. We would not have had the culinary glories of Monaco’s fine dining scene. And we would not have had the trulli of Alberobello. In 1996, by the way, those trulli were named an official Unesco World Heritage Site. Tax avoidance has given the world an entire architectural style, in other words, and one fit to preserve for posterity. Here’s to the creative accountants. Sam Leith is the literary editor of The Spectator, a columnist for the Evening Standard and author of You Talkin’ to Me? historical architecture lies a whole host of first-rate restaurants Here we bring you Alberobello’s very best local cuisine from authentic regional eats to contemporary takes on classic dishes Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy Helen Armitage lives near Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England where she recently graduated with a Masters in Magazine Journalism feminism and film and her favourite destinations are New York City and Dublin She is about to embark on a three-month placement in Seville Spain and in the future would love to visit Reykjavik Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn Guides & Tips Beat the Crowds with these Alternative Summer Destinations Guides & Tips This Is Europe's Ultimate Road Trip See & Do The Best Hiking Trails 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cities like Rome but like any other country that heavily relies on tourism the best cultural experiences are often found in small offbeat towns that are unspoiled by tourist-centric businesses allowing an authentic glimpse into elements that make the county unique The nine offbeat towns of Italy are a blend of aqua-centric and historic communities tucked away in remote locations serving as a rewarding splendor for those who dare to venture out and explore From the simplicity of life in agricultural communities like Bra to the secluded Aeolian Islands Editorial credit: leoks / Shutterstock.com is one of the best offbeat towns to explore for its enchanting historic allure that dates back to the tenth century The town’s name directly translates to “Hill in Between” for its location on a hilltop between higher mounts overlooking Lake Bomba The town’s top attractions include the Church of St the D'Avalos Castle in the historic center visitors can find paintings of the famous Italian artist Tanzio da Varallo from the 17th century while outdoor adventures are also a significant part of the tourist experience in Colledimezzo with hikeable trails located slightly outside of town like the Inizio Percorso ColleTrail and picnic-perfect spots along Lake Bomba also known as Lago di Sangro Some of the rated lodging options in town vary from small with notable names being Tenuta Villa Rosato and Agriturismo Olimpo a privately owned Vile with stunning scenery Editorial credit: MikeDotta / Shutterstock.com Although Lampedusa is an island located at the very edge of the Italian terrain before the North African Coast it is home to some of the best beaches in Italy renowned for its white sands and clear waters of the Spiaggia Dei Conigli Highlights of a visit to Italy’s underrated island include Dolphin spotting tours endless indulgences in authentic Seafood cuisine and unforgettable sunsets best viewed from the cliffs of Capo Ponente and Tabaccara Bay The island is part of the country’s Sicily region and is a common destination for European watersport enthusiasts looking for an exciting scuba diving and Snorkeling getaway Lampedusa is also home to extensive historical heritage One of the most notable places to visit is the Dammuso Casa Teresa stone building which stands out as one of the oldest structures that inherits Arab architectural design utilizing dry stone More of the island’s historic allure can be experienced by strolling the main street of Via Roma Travelers and tourists can find Exceptional dining experiences at Trattoria Terranova’s family restaurant the upscale Trattoria La Risacca Lampedusa and Pizzeria View of Gardone Riviera at the lakeside of Lake Garda in summer Editorial credit: Javen / Shutterstock.com One of the best touristy experiences can be found at Gardone Riviera as it balances historic atmospheres with a diverse natural setting of waterfront and mountainous environments the town's natural highlights include the Lakefront Promenade Recognized as one of the most beautiful underrated small towns in Italy Gardone Riviera also stands out with tourist attractions like the D’Annunzio’s house Vittoriale degli Italiani and San Nicolo da Bari church built in 1740 The picturesque Piazza Guglielmo Marcon is the town’s main business hub beautified by arches and housing many pubs Some of the most notable dining destinations in the area include Tatà Pizzeria Griglieria Top-ranked lodging options in town include the central Hotel Du Lac Gardone Riviera the classy villa of Dimora Bolsone overlooking the waters and Villa Capri for a luxurious resort escape Church of Santa Maria di Sibiola in Serdiana Serdiana, a charming and often overlooked town in Sardinia presents a slice of the island's rich tapestry it offers an intimate glimpse into the secluded life on this vibrant island Serdiana invites visitors to explore its vineyards and wineries which are integral to the local culture and economy The town is nestled within a landscape that boasts a distinct nature and dialect setting it apart from the more frequented Sardinian locales with historic sites like the Su Nuraxi di Barumini a Bronze Age Nuragic complex recognized by UNESCO combined with the town's proximity to Cagliari provides a spectrum of experiences from serene countryside to vibrant city life Local cuisine in Serdiana further reflects the island's culinary diversity with fresh Italian seafood and traditional Sardinian dishes Visitors to Serdiana can thus expect a deeply immersive Mediterranean experience that encapsulates the essence of Sardinian life Trulli houses in Alberobello city during sunset in Apulia Alberobello ranks as one of the most underrated destinations to visit in Italy for being home to trulli homes Unesco World Heritage structures that date back to 1797 is one of the best towns in Italy to get a better sense of early life in Italy The town is divided into two separate villages one of which features tourist attractions and serves as an insight into the town's history is where all the businesses and residential homes are located history isn’t the only thing that sets this small town apart from other underrated destinations in Italy; cuisine and locally renowned dining spots are also a significant part of the small town's allure Visit Arte Fredda Gelateria and Focacceria La Lira for some of the best dining experiences and take a walkable self-guided tour through town and catch scenic views of the town from places like Bar “Rione Monti that overlook the town’s historic gems The Aeolian Islands are the ideal destination for those looking to explore the natural side of Italy, featuring once-in-a-lifetime attractions such as volcanoes and more. Located amidst the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Sicily it is a group of small archipelagoes with highlights being Stromboli’s volcano which is considered one of the last unspoiled destinations to visit on the Aeolian Islands Visitors to the islands can find a luxurious escape at Panarea renowned for its upscale ambiance and resorts or chase crystal clear waters and white sand beaches that make for an exceptional romantic escape spending a few days on the island of Salina The array of atmospheres allows tourists to enjoy various themes of the offbeat experience and tailoring to their getaway based on personal preference a visit to the Aeolian Islands is incomplete without making a stop at recreational adventures of snorkeling with local tours like Penida Snorkeling & Tour and hiking adventures through some of the best paths like Isola di Vulcano and Giro ad Anello sull'Isola di Filicudi Borghetto historical center in Valeggio sul Mincio The beauty of this small town lies in its medieval architecture and fairytale ambiance and the Ponte Visconteo bridge stand as some of the town’s most iconic structures while Giardino Sigurtà Park is a scenic central park that makes for the perfect Instagrammable spot to document memories of your visit Visitors can also explore the town through local delicacies like tortellini which is known for love but not for its association with tales of romance Traditional stays like the Le Finestre Su Borghetto add to the allure of an unforgettable Italian experience while nature-centric stays like the Le Camere Di Virgilio with colorful houses lining the village streets Gradara is one of the best destinations to travel back in time embracing Italian heritage through architectural remnants Ranking as one of the more popular and easily accessible offbeat towns in Italy for its Castello di Gradara the historic city also holds the nickname “Capital of the Middle Ages.” The Open-Air Theatre and Falconry Centre are some of the must-see attractions when visiting Gradara Popular places to add to your list include the small Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista church and the underground tunnels used during the mysterious Ravenna underground tunnels accessed through the town’s historic museum it becomes difficult to pinpoint the best dining experiences in town yet some of the top-rated restaurants in the area include Ristorante Ai Capitani in Piazza Catullo and Ristorante Bella Venezia tucked along the narrow alleys Palazzo Comunale in Bra, Cuneo, Italy. By Annamondi18, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons Finally, Bra, located along Roero Hill, is one of the best destinations to experience countryside living in Italy. It is surrounded by farmlands that embrace the slow life. Home to The University of Gastronomic Sciences, Roero Hills is a lively town that tailors to the young demographic. Piazza delle Erbe, the central Via Gianolio, and the farmers market, where everything from local produce to homemade cuisines is sold, are ranked as some of the best places to visit in Bra. Insights into historic industries and sectors like the Museum of Mechanical Writing, the Castle of Racconigi, Craveri Civic Museum of Natural History, and Museo del Giocattolo also enhance a visit to Bra. The tourist experience in Bra is also enriched with endless events to catch throughout the year, such as the International Cheese Festival and the Wine and Food Itinerary, which is known locally as the “Da Cortile a Cortile.” To gain a well-rounded Italian experience, one must dive deeper into culture and history and embrace all the country has to offer in terms of natural settings. While major tourist destinations are a must-visit, exploring less popular destinations like the nine offbeat towns to Visit in Italy adds a layer of authenticity and adventure to your Italian journey, making it truly memorable. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. The magic of the winter season is in the air. Get ready to discover the most beautiful Christmas markets in Apulia. Live them to the fullest. It is no coincidence that the trend of Christmas markets in Apulia for the winter vacations is increasingly popular among travelers' searches, who wish to visit this beautiful region during the end-of-year festive season. With our portal we want to provide you with constant and detailed travel advice so that you can plan your Christmas trip in the best possible way. So we wish you a good reading to discover the most beautiful Christmas markets in Apulia! It will be a great opportunity to merrily experience together the tradition of Christmas markets in Apulia. Would you like to explore the neighbourhoods of Bari's historic centre to admire its masterpieces and most evocative corners before heading towards the more modern French-style part? Take advantage of the ticket made available by Visit Italy to undertake an engaging walking or bike tour. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @chiacchiere.it Among the various Christmas markets in Apulia to choose from, Alberobello certainly represents one of the most desirable and characteristic destinations. Would you like to visit the picturesque trulli districts, traditional and fairy-tale buildings with a unique charm, by participating in an exciting guided tour? Seize this fantastic opportunity by purchasing the ticket offered by Visit Italy. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nicola Pinto Florovivaistica (@pinto_florovivaistica) Also not to be missed is the Night of the Candles, an atmospheric event in which the lights in the historic center will be turned off to illuminate the streets with thousands of candles, in processions reminiscent of northern European traditions dating back to the 16th century. Tourists can also book guided tours at the town's landmarks, including the belvedere over the Itria Valley, the Palazzo Morelli, and the Church of St. George with a living nativity scene inside. Visualizza questo post su Instagram Un post condiviso da monica (@_monicagreco_) End-of-year magic will blanket the ancient heart of the city of Lecce with the installation of illuminations and garlands of rare beauty which return to invade the historic center a magnificent 15-meter Christmas tree in Piazza Sant'Oronzo will indicate to visitors the start of the route through the ancient streets in search of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Puglia Piazza Mazzini will be the center of Christmas celebrations with the traditional toy fair that will make you want to buy gifts and quality handicrafts Strolling among the little wooden houses will make you relive that long-awaited feeling of euphoria throughout the year where you can enjoy the magical atmosphere and the most intense colors perhaps tasting the delicacies of typical Apulian cuisine together with your loved ones A wonderful horse carousel will help you evoke the enchantment of yesteryear Best Christmas markets in Puglia: knowing them is important to know how to choose our next travel destination. · Lecce Christmas Market: the traditional fair of handcrafted "puppets" the horse carousel and Christmas markets in Mazzini Square illuminations and the Christmas tree in Sant'Oronzo Square I love Italy's wonders and the way people from abroad go nuts for our Bel Paese My mission in Visit Italy is to show everyone all the cultural riches our country can offer Subscribe to our weekly Newsletter dedicated to the Italian culture Check your email to confirm your subscription and receive special offers Top Attractions Colosseum Santa Maria Maggiore Vatican Museum Uffizi Gallery Pompeii Ruins Milan Cathedral Pantheon Vesuvius Florence Cathedral Sant'Angelo Castle Doge Palace Verona Arena Experiences Positano,Sorrento&Pompeii Tour Chianti Tour& San Gimignano Lake Como from Milan Romantic Sunset Boat Tour in Naples Capri Private Motorboat Tour Private Electric Cart Tour in Rome Abruzzo Basilicata Calabria Campania Emilia Romagna Friuli Venezia Giulia Lazio Liguria Lombardy Marche Molise Piedmont Apulia Sardinia Sicily Tuscany Trentino-Alto Adige Umbria Aosta Valley Veneto Italy like a local Hidden gems How to go to Attractions and Tours Unesco sites Latest news Best Tours and Experiences Art and culture Food and Flavours Best Places to Visit in Italy Places and Tours Exhibitions, events and shows History and Traditions About us Advertise with us Contact us Work with us narrowing down the best things to do in Puglia isn’t easy but here are some of the most unforgettable experiences to add to your next trip Cheese Experience with Vito DiceccaCaseificio Dicecca in Altamura has been selling excellent cheeses since 1930 who began working alongside his father at nine years old returned to his roots and moved to live in the Foresta Mercadante an abandoned forest of 1,300 hectares in the heart of the Murgia National Park In this untouched environment (there’s no Wi-Fi and smoking is not allowed) you’ll savour some of the most extraordinary cheeses while discovering the intricacies of this artisanal craft you can opt for a more immersive five-hour journey which includes a visit to the dairy Caseificio Dicecca for a hands-on cheese-making experience a taste of freshly baked Barese focaccia from the oldest bakery in Altamura a well-deserved lunch at Baby Dicecca awaits – and we’re sure you can guess the theme of the menu Website: vitodicecca.it From Gargano to Salento Antonella and Alessio found common ground in Ostuni where they opened one of the coolest new kids on the block treating locals and travellers to an international approach to a café The shelves are stocked with a curated selection of natural wines while the counter tempts with flaky pastries and buns made in collaboration with the local pastry shop Virgola Burro brings together some of the best offerings in the region as well as shedding light on emerging and like-minded talents through a series of workshops open to the public From flower pop-ups to speciality coffee tasting and itinerant dinners – there are plenty of occasions to mix and mingle with locals and enjoy something different on your trip to Puglia (keep an eye on the Instagram page) ordering simple bread and whipped butter is a must – after all Website: instagram.com Apulian-born Angelo Milano founded StudioCromie a multifaceted cultural hub that includes an art gallery even though he studied something completely different at university Angelo never truly left behind the visual arts and music sphere he simply gave a name to what he was already doing - connecting international artists to the public The gallery hosts temporary exhibitions alongside a permanent archive collection where you’ll discover a very mixed but curated selection of art Angelo will also open a dedicated section of the gallery for his clothing brand and launch a new capsule collection happening spontaneously whenever he feels like it if you're in the mood for something vibrant and unexpected check the website to see if anything exciting is in the works Website: studiocromie.org Spend a day aboard a ’90s speedboatSet sail for an adventure along the Apulian coastline aboard the Margherita II a sleek 15-metre Italian speedboat from the ’90s the experience promises a day of exploration along the picturesque west coast of Puglia guided by an experienced captain and skipper you’ll be able to dive into the Mediterranean rosemary-scented focaccia with a glass of chilled wine Website: masseriamoroseta.it Website: instagram.com Website: progettospace.com you can discover their next appointments on their Instagram Website: instagram.com Visit the Radicenomade atelierOn the outskirts of Lecce in San Cesareo Isabella Faggiano and her partner Emilio open the doors to their small wonderland Located inside their home (in a merge of life and career traditionally known as “casa e putea”) delve into the workshop of their jewellery brand has combined her three passions to create this space 19th-century building encloses original frescoed ceilings clementine-tiled floors and a beautiful Parisian-inspired winter garden is where the new collection of jewellery is exhibited and available to shop and you can also book in for a jewellery-making workshop to learn the craft Website: radicenomade.it Taste the original pasticciotto in GalatinaMany think (quite rightly so) that the pasticciotto Leccese was born in Lecce This perfect little boat-shaped shortcrust pastry filled with lemon-tinted custard was actually born by chance; it was pastry chef Nicola Ascolone from Galatina who during the celebrations of Saint Paul on 28th June 1745 decided to put together a few ingredients he had left over after a day’s work to create something sweet for those who came to celebrate the patron saint The original Ascalone pastry shop is still standing in the historic centre of Galatina original furnishings and top-rated pasticciotto It’s recommended to call in advance and put in an order because their average of 300 daily pasticciotti sell out in the blink of an eye The botanical gardens of La Cutura in southern Salento is one of the most spectacular spaces in the area This former 19th-century rural country estate was renovated under the green thumb of estate owner Salvatore Cezzi and it has now become one of Italy’s top-rated botanical gardens flowers and trees extends over 35 hectares of land; a fragrant colourful path leads you through rose bushes and citrus groves past grazing peacocks and neatly trimmed hedges until you reach the greenhouse displaying over 2000 cacti and succulents from all over the world There is also a little restaurant should you wish to stop for a bite to eat under the leafy trees Website: lacutura.it Learn to make fresh orecchietteIt was ten years ago that Julia and Francesco met working at a cooking workshop in Puglia She had just travelled over from Vancouver and it didn’t take long for them to fall in love art history and cooking they launched E.A.T a cooking class and workshop format hosted at their home in Oria and they built their very own cooking studio in Altamura weekend workshops and bi-annual four-day workshops each experience unfolds with a walking tour of the city followed by ingredient shopping from their favourite local producers There’s a social aperitif pre-class to enjoy before digging into a three-course meal will be savoured all together around the dinner table Website: everyone-at-the-table.com Dreamlike paddle-boarding on turquoise sea. Salento, PugliaFrancesco Riccardo Iacomino12. Swim in Caribbean-like watersThe region is characterised by an extensive and diverse coastline (almost reaching 1,000 km) between the Adriatic and Ionian seas. From dramatic cliffs to the long swathe of sandy beaches passing through crescent-shaped rocky coves But the formula is simple: catch the early morning sun along the east coast and golden sunsets in the south and west One of the most enchanting beaches is Punta della Suina its rugged coastline descends into crystal clear hidden gem is Cala dell’Acquaviva – a small rocky cove among staggering rocks on the eastern coast between Santa Cesarea Terme and Tricase and there’s a small kiosk on site to stock up on cold drinks and snacks including the secret sandy patches of Cala Matano and the rocky coves of Cala del Pigno you can take a motorboat to explore San Nicola best known for its historical sites such as the monastery Santa Maria a Mare and the 13th-century Badiali Castle where you can swim in the beautiful inlets amidst the rocks are also stunning places to visit if you have time LecceAlamy14. Visit Puglia’s most cultural cityAlso known as the ‘Florence of the South’ Lecce is a major attraction for culture-seeking travellers – the historic city feels like an open-air museum and is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Puglia Distinct Leccese limestone envelops the town and its rich heritage is unveiled through numerous architectural styles The most predominant is Baroque (hence the city’s reputation as the ‘capital of Baroque architecture’) with opulent decorations embellishing the façades of churches such as the Basilica di Santa Croce and the Cathedral dedicated to Maria Santissima Assunta One of the best ways to truly embrace the southern lifestyle is to spend the afternoon in a café (we love the Caffè Alvino or Pasticceria Natale) and soak up the surroundings as you sip on your Caffè Leccese (iced coffee with fresh almond milk) and nibble on crema pasticcera-filled pasticciotto Visit the shop and ask to pop into the nearby workshop to see the magic happen Visit TrulliSome people say that trulli look like little gnome houses scattered throughout the region but visit Alberobello for the real experience This small village is sprinkled with quaint restaurants all housed inside this UNESCO-protected trulli The conical roofs and thick stone walls keep the interiors cool (you are not allowed to install air conditioning in the trullo) book a stay overnight – there are many masserie and B&Bs that offer rooms in trulli across Puglia Feast on fresh seafood in converted fishing platformsAs you drive through the Gargano coastline between Peschici and Vieste you’ll notice large wooden structures suspended above the sea centuries-old machines used by fishermen to optimise their work Today a few trabucchi have been restored and converted into restaurants where guests can feast on fresh seafood with a view of the Adriatic Al Trabucco da Mimì was founded by Mimì and Lucia who decided to turn their family’s trabucco into a thriving exciting restaurant where diners can eat local catches of the day on a wooden veranda you might catch sight of working trabucchi in action as it brings up fresh mullet and bluefish from the sea Visit one of Puglia’s natural wondersPuglia is home to some extraordinary landscapes but one of the most jaw-dropping sites is located just below Otranto The Cava di Bauxite is an old quarry lake once used to extract Bauxite for the production of aluminium follow a rocky path that leads you to a shallow emerald-coloured lake surrounded by red rocks and Mediterranean scrub It’s truly beautiful – visit at golden hour to watch the sun reflect intense lazy and wine-infused lunches with family and friends or spending the morning rummaging through unique finds at antique markets there will be a market in the Valle d’Itria where you can purchase beautiful homeware which runs on the last Sunday of every month which only lasts for seven days in August each year (in 2025 it will run from Saturday 9 August until Sunday 17 August) This year marks the first edition of Antiquariato in Valle d’Itria during Spring which will take place from Thursday 24 - Sunday 27 April 2025 live music and Cucina Casereccia are the key staples of La Sagra a culinary festival that rolls out in squares or fields across Italy guests are handed a piece of paper with a scribbled menu (usually limited to a couple of starters some options for primi courses and a few main dishes) small markets and post-dinner entertainment The best ones in Puglia to try and visit are the Sagra del Taralluccio e Vino in Alberobello in April and Sagra De Lu Ranu near Lecce from 21-23 July 2025 showcasing traditional Salento cuisine and La Sagra Te Lu Purpu (Octopus-based) in Melendugno on 2nd August 2025 Sign up to Postcard of the Day for your daily dose of escapism A definitive list of the best Greek islands to visit this year How to make the most of your Parisienne holiday with 26 amazing things to do in the city of lights Taking a trip to Rome We've got the full spectrum of experiences the Italian capital has to offer Here's how to spend three days in Porto, from enjoying delicious restaurants to experiencing intriguing attractions Go to Home PageSubscribeAdvertiser disclosureSearch The Points Guy follow health officials' guidance and research local travel restrictions before booking that next trip. We will be here to help you prepare whether it is next month or next year.Editor's note: As the travel industry reopens following COVID-19 shutdowns follow health officials' guidance and research local travel restrictions before booking that next trip While the draw of cosmopolitan European cities includes culture, gastronomy and night life, there's nothing quite like the charm of a forgotten Sicilian village or a tiny townlet set at the base of snow-capped mountains. Europe has intriguing small settlements at every turn from storied medieval cobblestoned hamlets to cliff top whitewashed villages here is TPG's pick of some of Europe's best villages One of Andalusia's famous whitewashed villages is balanced on the edge of a cliff towering high above the Guadalete River a castle that was once occupied centuries ago by Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon Related: Best beaches in Spain for a summer vacation The Puglian village of Alberobello is one of Italy's most original tiny towns known for its hundreds of whitewashed huts that have conical-shaped roofs (Italians call the huts trulli) Wander the Rione Monti neighborhood where you can sample Puglian wine and cheese shop for souvenirs or even spend the night in a trullo hut This picturesque village on Croatia's Dalmatian coast is just a short car ride away from Dubrovnik Admire the red roofs overlooking the glimmering Adriatic Sea flanked by hills and pine forests and discover the old city's Renaissance architecture hire a sailboat for the day and relax on the glistening sands of the beach The quaint winemaking village of Riquewhir is only a 30-minute drive from one of France's most famous villages: Colmar. The romantic charming settlement boasts a number of traditional Alsatian half-timbered houses with oriel windows and beautiful courtyards Make sure to wander the cobblestoned streets and stop at the famous Musée du Dolder pausing to sip Alsatian wine along the way This Yorkshire village emits international charm with its striking viaduct and castle Knaresborough has one of the oldest attractions in England: Mother Shipton's Cave Make sure to visit on Market Day (Wednesday) in order to shop for culinary delights at the outdoor market in the main square Sitting quietly in the shadow of a magnificent, fortified citadel, the village of Dinant also rests on the banks of the Meuse River. The French-speaking village in Belgium is famous for its 13th-century Gothic cathedral and is also known as the birthplace of the saxophone -- the jazz instrument's creator The vibrant fishing village of Kinsale in Cork is not only enchanting but also has some of Ireland's most delicious seafood Features Editor Hayley Coyle hails from the village and says that visitors should definitely include a visit to Charles Fort one of the two forts that used to guard Kinsale "Walking from the Spaniard Inn across Scilly Walk to Charles Fort for a picnic is both a beautiful stroll and a great spot for the best views of the town," Coyle said Related: Most beautiful beaches in Ireland Talasnal is one of central Portugal's famous Schist villages which sit high in the Serra da Lousã mountain range stone village is practically hidden among pine foliage and is best explored in between hikes The half-timbered, slate-roofed and colorful houses that line the Moselle River are a sight to behold. The winding, cobblestone streets lead up to the Reichsburg Castle. This castle isn't the original structure but is still worth exploring. The surrounding area is filled with hilly woods perfect for hiking and wineries where you can sip an aromatic Riesling This hilltop village in southern Sicily is simply spectacular is filled with Baroque architecture and art you won't even notice you're traversing hundreds of stone steps or ascending the small For further Baroque discoveries in the Val di Noto area Spain's northern region of Asturias may not be on the typical Costa del Sol or Canary Island tourist route but the area's hidden beaches and woodsy allure are beyond quaint -- especially the seaside village of Cudillero There isn't much to do besides wander through the red-roofed village and quiet beach except enjoy traditional Asturian tapas like chorizo marinated in sidra (apple cider) Related: These are the best times to visit Spain Oia is what people dream about when they picture Greece: whitewashed, blue-domed buildings rising over the sparkling Aegean Sea. Located on the island of Santorini visitors can view some of the most epic sunsets in the world from this village -- but hotels and rentals aren't cheap so be ready to splurge for a stay in this village Sigtuna is one of the oldest villages in Sweden just a quick ride on the train from Stockholm is located on Lake Mälaren where you can canoe or kayak Several castles are located nearby once you've wandered the village from top to bottom If Prague was a tiny village, it might look something like Český Krumlov. Similar to Prague Český Krumlov is intersected by a river (in this case the Vltava River) and also features a castle which is nestled among the hilly southern Bohemia region is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site with Renaissance The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach That’s why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality Copyright © 2025 The Points Guy, LLC. All rights reserved. A Red Ventures company. MENUCULTUREThe Ultimate Guide to Puglia Italy: How to Travel Well in “the New Tuscany”Where to eat and play in Italy’s hottest new destination Located at the southernmost “heel” of the Italy boot and locally-sourced cuisine has landed the region on our vacation hot map The most important decision you’ll make each day and known for using exclusively local products; it’s common that a restaurant or hotel even makes their own olive oil head to the picturesque village of Alberobello known for its trulli architecture and regional cooking Be sure to order the staples such as eggplant caponata where you’ll be greeted by a lavish antipasto bar that changes nightly Expect an array of fresh vegetables from chicory and peppers to beets and the best tomato focaccia you’ll ever have freshly baked by the mother of one of the waiters choose from an option of traditional cuisine For those looking for an unforgettable fine dining experience which also happens to be the most Instagrammed restaurant in Italy your prix-fixe meal is served by suit-clad waiters and set to a soundtrack of live classical music and panoramic views of both the Adriatic Sea and a bat-laden cave Another not-to-be-missed dining experience is a candlelit dinner at Masseria Frantoio From the doughy pasta to apple tarte tatin, everything is homemade by a kitchen of nonnas who whip up simple from spaghetti al pomodoro to zucchini fritters they also make their own olive oil on site make sure you get lost in its idyllic medieval towns Start your journey in the northernmost province of Matera and visit the historical center of Sassi in which you’ll find the Park of the Rupestrian Churches and churches which have been naturally carved into the volcanic hillside over the course of 800 years Known as the “city of caves,” the medieval town has re-appropriated its landscape into dreamy cave hotels and atmospheric restaurants which overlook the city Puglia is also known for its paradisal rock beach swimming alcoves and hidden grottos The best swimming holes are clustered at the southernmost point of Puglia on the eastern coastline Do not miss Grotta Verde in the town of Andrano a strictly local spot with an illuminated swimming cave The best of the swimming alcoves are rustic and service-free so make sure to bring your own towel and umbrella to spread out with locals on the rocks To properly take in traditional Trulli culture the most famous UNESCO town in Puglia which looks like a white-washed hobbit village but there are plenty of worthwhile souvenir stores to wander into which sell local ceramics and regional mandarin and lemon liqueurs Alberobello is also known for its killer restaurants so make sure to book one in advance as they’re often filled up Another must-see town is the municipality of Ostuni peruse the local crafts stores such as a sandal window on Via Cattedrale where you can customize your own leather sandals Try to visit Ostuni on a Saturday so you don’t miss the Saturday morning market where you’ll find local vendors selling crafts and fresh produce spend a day at hotel Furnirussi Tenuta and relax by the natural pool or work out in the outdoor gym Order simply: the homemade spaghetti al pomodoro is a knock out and end your day with a twilight stroll through the hotel’s fig plantation Puglia is known for its three different types of architecture: trulli (coned huts) try to stay at all three types of classic Puglian accommodations the eight-room property boasts six gardens that are laden with lemon trees and hammocks and the suites boast private terraces with outdoor baths overlooking the region There’s a croquet pitch with an accompanying closet of lavish sun hats to complete your look There’s also a sulfur pool in the property’s cave-turned-spa area and pizza making lessons in a state-of-the-art kitchen Enjoy your evening aperitivo on the masseria’s roof or beneath their vine covered pillow-strewn outdoor fireplace For those who’ve always wondered what it would be like to live in a castle an 800-year-old castle which opened its doors to the public for the first time ever in May The hotel is a seamless blend of modern and medieval charm surrounded by the original moat that once protected the castle Owners Massimo d’Amore and Diana Bianchi’s objective is to make your stay an intimate one so you’ll feel as if the castle is your own private home and Bianchi personally welcomes each guest inside the fairytale vegetable garden each evening to enjoy an idyllic aperitivo The thing you can count on at Ugento is a good meal and trust us when we say that dinner inside the castle’s majestic courtyard cannot be missed fully functioning farm with olive and lemon groves Owned and operated by the same family for three generations you’ll get the feeling of what its like to live like a local in the countryside Dogs and wild cats roam freely throughout the property You’ll often find the owner cracking and shelling almonds near the entrance and you’ll see carts of figs and tomatoes drying out in the sun While the trullo serves a proper breakfast any daytime snack you can forage for yourself on the property They are the most mouth-watering figs you will ever consume in southern Italy8 December 2018Getty ImagesAll products are independently selected by our editors whose northern shore is on the same latitude as Rome left behind when two geological plates separated to form the Adriatic The Gargano is a world apart: a place of dark coastal watchtowers and intricate fishing villages The creation of the Parco Nazionale del Gargano in 1991 attracts some tourists BARI Explore the labyrinthine old town and the Basilica di San Nicola TRANI AND BARLETTAMolfetta is the first of a trio of port towns north of Bari whose present-day sprawl radiates from a tight a third-century bronze colossus stares into space with a stolid See the frescoes in the Palazzo Ducale and the baroque Chiesa di San Martino Martina FrancaGetty ImagesLOCOROTONDOThis circular whitewashed town has views over the trulli-peppered Valle d'Itria A limestone plateau scored by deep ravines (gravine) and sudden sinkholes (pule) Olives and vines on the lower slopes give way to scrubby Alta Murgia is the perfect setting for the castle of an enlightened philosopher-king Under Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, between 1220 and 1250, the region became a crossroads between the Roman Catholic Byzantine and Arab worlds. The emperor himself was a poet, a philosopher, and the author of a treatise on falconry. During his reign, castles were built, or repaired, all over southern Italy to defend the Kingdom of Sicily from its many enemies Nobody ever lived here and there is no town or strategic crossroads nearby Castel del MonteGetty ImagesBASSA MURGIA AND THE VALLE D'ITRIAThe Trulli are strange cylindrical peasant houses with beehive roofs which are still in use today between the towns of Putignano and Martina Franca If there is no evidence of trulli older than the 16th century this may be because they are easier to rebuild than to restore the fanciful trullo served an eminently practical function: it was a way of using up all the stones that peasants cleared from their difficult It was easily made and easily knocked down again Only here have trulli strayed from country to town In the quartieri known as Monti and Aia Piccola there are whole streets of them The fabric of the trulli is now protected by UNESCO or they window-shop along corso Vittorio Emanuele LecceGetty ImagesTHE SALENTINE PENINSULASouth of Lecce, the landscape flattens and the sky opens out. Stony olive groves extend between dry-stone walls bordered with oleander. Around Capo d'Otranto, Italy's easternmost point, crumpled red cliffs fall to the sea from an upland plain. If it weren't for the blue-green sea and the view across to Albania, this could be Cornwall In the villages here you may witness a festa di paese a village festival where men with tambourines and accordions beat out a tarantella and women sing with a wonderful set of Renaissance frescoes in the 1392 church of Santa Caterina is also worth a visit The cathedral has a 12th-century mosaic floor of the 'tree of life', intertwining Norman, Greek and Byzantine ideas of fate OtrantoGetty ImagesGALATINAVisit Galatina for the frescoes in the Basilica di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria Italy-expert Lee Marshall on the best beaches in Puglia relaxed family resort with one super-cool beach bar veggie-friendly lunch menu and the sunset aperitivo scene when well-mixed Mojitos are served to a DJ set A map of PugliaHannah GeorgeHow to get to PugliaAIRPORTThere are airports in both Bari and Brindisi Bari's airport is about 9km west of the city at Palese Brindisi's Casale airport is 4km north of the city with 6K new posts waxing lyrical about the destination on TikTok every week the Puglian tourism board reported a 20% uptick in visitor numbers last year with two million setting foot in the region Unlike anywhere I'd ever been in Italy before this southern region boasts a unique history The first thing you'll notice is the trulli – dome-roofed huts made from stone which are dotted across the countryside next to masseria (old stone farmhouses) Many of these have now been restored and opened as guest houses or hotels – I even stayed in one (Alexa Chung et al There are even entire trulli villages that you can visit Martina Franca and Ceglie Messapica being the most famous Otranto and Bari are all worth a visit) and delicious cuisine (local dishes include orecchiette and aubergine parmigiana) and you're on to a winning holiday formula “La vita lenta” is the motto around these parts – the slow life – so take a load off and chill there are a plethora of options to choose from when it comes to picking a hotel in Puglia – with something to suit every taste and budget there’s the option of staying in a self-catering villa with everything you need on site or a five-star all-inclusive hotel on the coast our well-travelled editors have been to Puglia and done our research resulting in a list of reviewed hotels in Puglia chosen for their locations 1. Best boutique hotel in PugliaParagon 700 Paragon 700 is the brainchild of designers Pascale Lauber and Ulrike Bauschke who took this decaying 16th-century palazzo (it had sat empty for four decades) and transformed it into one of Ostuni’s most stylish boutique hotels Centred around an orange tree-filled courtyard garden there’s a rustic outdoor swimming pool as well as an underground cave spa which offers treatments including a 2.5-hour ‘salt ritual’ that includes a scrub the hotel also offers airport shuttle services to nearby Brindisi Airport so you don’t need to worry about car hire or taxis Price per night: From £388Address: Largo Michele Ayroldi Carissimo 14 Save when you book the best hotels in Puglia with these booking.com discount codes 2. Best hotel in Puglia on the beachBaglioni Masseria The Baglioni Masseria sits between Baia dei Turchi (one of Salento’s finest beaches) and the Alimini Piccolo lake – so you’ve already got a choice between two swimming and sunbathing spots The third is by one of the hotel’s two swimming pools including an infinity pool with views over the lake the UNESCO World Heritage city of Otranto is only a ten-minute drive away while the hotel’s spa has an impressive roll-call of features natural daylight treatment room and sensory showers you’ve got no excuse for going home having only eaten spaghetti bolognese Price per night: €535 per night on a B&B basis.Address: Contrada Fontanelle 3. Best small hotel in PugliaLa Fiermontina La Fiermontina is located in Lecce’s picturesque Old Town with its garden even sharing an ancient city wall it brings together the region’s classic vaulted ceilings and white-stone walls with an impressive collection of tasteful art A short walk from the hotel amongst the olive trees there is a small (but very Instagrammable) outdoor pool you can organise an in-room massage (there’s no separate spa) or simply unwind with a good book in one of the beautifully arranged reception rooms Price per night: From £389.Address: Piazzetta Scipione De Summa 4. Best resort in Puglia with private beachMasseria San Domenico For space and five-star luxury in the heart of the Puglia countryside, look no further than a booking at Masseria San Domenico expensive during peak season – but for good reason outdoor pool and a fully equipped wellness centre The resort is a 10-minute drive from Fasano via taxi – a quaint town which sits where the low-lying hills of Puglia lead to the Adriatic Sea – for shops the aforementioned wellness centre features everything you need to detox and relax from Turkish baths and thalassotherapy centre to the expected hot tubs Price per night: From £359 per night.Address: SP90 5. Best villa in Puglia for artCastle Elvira Castle Elvira was the passion project for British creatives Harvey and Steve during Italy’s lockdowns with their achingly cool East London aesthetic shining through at every turn A former castle with a spooky past (it was built for a beloved daughter who died before it was completed) Castle Elvira features original features With a choice of suites and cottages to stay in (our favourite is the Princess which has a roll-top bathtub in the living room) plus an on-site restaurant (pizza night is a must with Harvey and Steve) speedy wifi and a gorgeous pool area with in-water seating and hammocks for lazing in it’s like staying in your very wealthy uncle’s house Case in point: you can WhatsApp the front desk to bring you a cocktail Price per night: From £255 per night.Address: Via Andrano 6. Best hotel in Puglia for familiesBorgo Egnazia Borgo Egnazia has counted the Beckhams as guests in previous years it's modelled on a traditional Puglian village – with charming masserias A great family-friendly choice (as evidenced by the Beckham brood) there’s a choice of swimming pools (including one for kids and one for adults only) and restaurants each offering something different – the most surprising perhaps being the plant-based fine dining option Offering bespoke activities like cultural tours Borgo Egnazia has got everything you might need on site Price per night: From £539.Address: Strada Comunale Egnazia 7. Best five-star hotel in PugliaSextantio Le Grotte Della Civita One of the most unique places to stay in Puglia the rooms at Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita are actually ‘Sassi quarters’ – stone quarters built into well-preserved caves the UNESCO World Heritage village made famous for Daniel Craig’s epic car chase in No Time To Die but what you lack in sunbeds you make up for in culture the rooms have a monastic feel to them with minimal décor aside from a bed where you can hear the echoes of the water reverberating through the walls Original cave features make this a truly one-of-a-kind hotel in Southern Italy Price per night: From £712.Address: Via Civita 28 8. Best hotel in Puglia for creativesPalazzo Luce Palazzo Luce is the brainchild of Milan-based art collector Anna Maria Enselmi it boasts an incredible collection of artworks from some of the world’s best designers each of the seven suites is also a work of art in and of itself with designer furniture and rich baroque details There’s also a large outdoor pool overlooking a Roman Theatre a spa and a Pilates studio – perfect for wellness buffs looking to make up for imbibing a second bowl of delicious Italian pasta Price per night: From £1398 for a minimum stay of two nightsAddress: Via Del Palazzo dei Conti di Lecce 9. Best hotels in Puglia for couplesMasseria Torre Maizza Inspired by the sensational landscapes of Puglia and part of the glitzy Rocco Forte Hotels Group Masseria Torre Maizza has everything you need and more for a romantic Puglian getaway Occupying a renovated 16th-century masseria the hotel perfectly blends local heritage with baroque luxury that’s perfect for a sexy getaway under the Italian sun The hotel’s new Forte Suites offer sweeping views of the Apulian countryside and excellent sea views of the Adriatic Sea and a 9-hole golf course — so there’s something for both you and the hubby to do Price per night: From £506.Address: Contrada Coccaro Sn Save when you book the best hotels in Puglia with these Expedia promo codes 10. Best coastal hotel in PugliaDon Ferrante With a stunning seafront location in the ancient fishing town of Monopoli authentic hotel that’s great for getting lost in Puglia’s rich coastal history There are ten individually designed rooms in this whitewashed Puglian palace each one the picture of refined Italian elegance We especially love the hotel’s free buggy tours which are a fab way to experience the picturesque cobble-stone streets of Monopoli Old Town and the Centro Storico cooking classes and free shuttle rides to private beaches and to UNESCO-protected sites such as the Alberobello Trulli village and the cliffside houses of Matera Price per night: From £283.Address: Don Ferrante 27 Via San Vito Monopoli 70043 Italy.Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tenuta Negroamaro11. Best Hidden Gem Hotel in PugliaTenuta Negroamaro Why we love it: Located just a 10 minute drive from Gallipoli’s Harbour you can stay in your own private pool suite or enjoy a massage in the privacy of your own suite Nature and home comforts are the centre of this hotel you get to embrace the Puglian way of life You can float the way through your holiday Palazzo Del Corso12. Best Harbour Based Hotel in PugliaPalazzo Del Corso Why we love it: The traditional Apulia town of Gallipoli feels instantly historic with its beautiful churches and cobbled streets Palazzo Del Corso is situated on the Harbour Front where you can watch the boats come in and out all day whether that be while eating breakfast or being on the Rooftop for an aperitivo It is the perfect location to walk to the many nearby restaurants in the Old Town where you can have freshly caught fish of the day before your La Passeggiata (evening walk) and be around the buzz of many Italians with their families Relax in your peaceful room before going for a swim in the bluest sea I have ever seen Price per night: From £188.Address: Corso Roma 145 13. Best boutique hotels in PulgiaDon Totu The Italian couple who own Don Totu have imbued every last detail of this six-bedroom B&B with love: from the morning yoga sessions to the outdoor cinema the vibrant artwork to the freshly baked pastries it’s the perfect place for a quiet break or bit of privacy and bicycles and Vespas for hire if you want to head down to the nearby beach Price per night: From £295.Address: via Crocefisso 10 Save when you book the best hotels in Puglia with these booking.com promo codes 14. Best hotel in Puglia for wine loversMasseria Le Fabriche High above the vineyards of Maruggio is Masseria Le Fabrice a hotel built from owner Alessia Perrucci’s love for Italian wine – something that he shares with his guests via wine tastings using the very best vintages sourced from the on-site Maruggio vineyard the hotel has 18 rustic-chic rooms,plus a restaurant that offers a small but delectable selection of local Apulian dishes A great choice for wine lovers looking to discover the flavours and nuances of Puglia’s wine terroir Price per night: From £243.Address: SP Maruggio - Torricella 15. Best swimming pool in PugliaFurnirussi Tenuta Tucked away in the rustic village of Serrano the Furnirussi Tenuta is a cosy five-star boutique hotel which occupies the largest fig plantation in Europe in the heart of Grecia Salentina Expect warm and friendly hospitality and a casual yet delightful gastronomic experience in the hotel’s on-site restaurant which offers a tasty menu of organic delights There are 29 suites which all boast views of the hotel’s Mediterranean garden The Junior Suites on the ground floor come with their own private garden solarium within a charming courtyard filled with lush Mediterranean vegetation Price per night: From £262.Address: Strada Comunale Scine 29 16. Best palazzo hotel in PugliaPalazzo Maresgallo This stunning palazzo in Lecce gives off major White Lotus vibes While the exterior may look like a traditional Lecce stone palace inside Palazzo Maresgallo is a haven of chic designer furniture and contemporary art The palazzo itself is a maze of light-filled courtyards with a petite pool for afternoon dips and a subterranean spa perfect for unwinding after a busy day of doing nothing – or as the Italians call it the art of ‘dolce far niente’ (the sweet art of doing nothing) is one of our favourite spots for a sunset aperitivo Price per night: From £334.Address: Via Guglielmo Paladini 17. Best hotel in Puglia for foodiesCastello di Ugento When former Pepsi CEO Massimo Fasanella d'Amore di Ruffano and his partner who knew it would become one of the hottest boutique hotels on the Salento Coast This seaside palazzo occupies a former fortress in Ugento and still retains plenty of the original 17th-century features so it very much has a ‘home away from home’ vibe each with large windows and vaulted ceilings bathing everything in that beautiful Italian sunshine Foodies will also love the on-site cookery school which is helmed by one of Italy’s top chefs as well as the hotel’s Il Tempo Nuovo restaurant which offers fresh seafood straight from the fishing boats of Gallipoli Price per night: From £374.Address: Via Castello 18. Best hotel in Puglia for a romantic getawayMasseria Torre Coccaro This family-run Masseria occupies a 16th-century fortified farmhouse just a short distance from the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea Surrounded by lush 800-year-old olive groves the Masseria’s suites and rooms exude the rich history of this place The masseria also has a stylish beach club and an AVEDA Spa (located in a Sassi cave) that boasts a sauna indulgent wellness treatments and even sunset yoga classes It also offers a wealth of al fresco activities from golf to bespoke dining experiences and even horseback riding on the beach Price per night: From £198.Address: C.da Coccaro 19. Best villa for large groups of friendsMasseria Gemmabella This sprawling complex – which comprises a main masseria and multiple trulli – has the A-list seal of approval Jack Guinness and pals staying here within months of it opening in 2022 Renovated by a British mother and daughter duo Masseria Gemmabella is perfect for large groups – whether that’s families with multiple generations and the housekeeper can organise a private chef as well as cultural tours of the area it’s all too easy to get very used to life at Masseria Gemmabella… Price per night: Price on request.Address: Str 20. Best budget-friendly Puglia hotelPalazzo Presta This contemporary four-star hotel in Gallipoli has oodles of personality and a very budget-friendly price tag Located a few steps from the Spiaggia della Purita and all of Gallipoli’s cultural attractions such as the Sant’Agata Cathedral and Castello di Gallipoli it’s a fab base to explore and fall in love with the Apulian way of life All ten rooms in this 17th-century palazzo are themed around its owners’ eclectic travels and feature plenty of quirky souvenirs that add colour and charm And while Palazzo Presta doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as other hotels on our list – we still think it’s an excellent choice if you’re on a budget Price per night: From £119.Address: Via Garibaldi 29 21. Best farmhouse meets hotel stayMasseria Torre Maizza It doesn’t get more quintessentially Apulian than this Masseria Torre Maiza is the traditional farm stay writ large – all that’s missing is a donkey it features decor by the famous hotelier’s sister bringing that same level of five-star luxury that fans of his stays have come to expect There’s a shuttle to the nearby beach club not to mention a huge swimming pool surrounded by vine-entwined pergolas If you’re looking for the charm of a masseria with the creature comforts of a hotel (not least a fantastic on-site restaurant) Price per night: From £2,188 per week Address: Contrada Coccaro 72015 My NewsSign Out Sign InCreate your free profileSections news Alerts two of which made a beeline south to key ports at the stiletto heel of Italy’s boot pilgrims and Crusaders used the roads on treks to the Holy Land most travelers head to the region known as Apulia (Puglia only to hop a ferry bound for the Greek Isles By scurrying straight along to sun and fun in Greece they’re missing out on the most wonderfully weird corner of Italy sun-soaked landscapes is a wild mix of architecture: cone-shaped roofs and a city of baroque treasures adorned with dragons And although it may seem like the stuff of fairy tales Apulia remains authentic and overlooked by the crowds The Valle d’Itria is a storybook Italian landscape—stone walls dividing lush farmland into patchwork fields many buildings are trulli: cylindrical homes of whitewashed limestone with conical roofs of stacked Some say trulli were built that way so that peasants could pluck out a stone—and cave in the roof—whenever they saw the king’s men coming because “unfinished” structures couldn’t be taxed Others maintain that this was simply one of the easiest ways to put a roof over your head without using mortar they keep their owners cozy in the winter and cool during the baking summers charming interior of aLorenzo PesceSo what do you do in your trullo open the shutters on the deep-set window to let some light in on the stone floors though that’s usually blocked off by a ceiling of wooden planks Bathrooms and kitchens are tiny but usable and shops are never more than a few blocks away crafting toy trulli for their sons’ souvenir shops—while chatting with their neighbors traditionally congregate in public places—at the local bar or in the piazza.) Follow the ladies’ lead and drag a cane-bottom chair into your own doorway Your only chore is to while away the afternoon Although trulli are still sprinkled throughout the Valle d’Itria the majority of architecture outside Alberobello is modern in a boring way An exception is the area along an unnamed back road linking Alberobello with the town of Martina Franca though: Do not follow the signs toward Martina Franca from Alberobello’s center look on the right for a white sign pointing to Agriturismo Greek Park fenced in by stone walls—scary when you meet the rare oncoming car—and it cuts right through the hidden heart of the Valle d’Itria A standard table wine in Apulia costs less than $3 head to Locorotondo’s Cantina Sociale (Via Madonna della Catena 99 011-39/080-431-1644) a wine cooperative made up of more than 1,000 local vintners The raw earthiness of even Apulia’s younger reds partners perfectly with the strong flavors of local cooking try Giovanni Loparco’s homey Trattoria Centro Storico (Via Eroi di Dogali 6 011-39/ 080-431-5473) the locals’ preferred lunch spot kept cool by thick stone walls (important when southern Italy’s powerful sun is out) a quill-shaped pasta in a hearty tomato sauce spiked with hot peppers or Giovanni’s signature portafoglio—a “wallet” of lamb chops stuffed with cheese Candlelit dining inside a cave at Ostuni's Osteria del Tempo PersoLorenzo PesceFor an even more memorable meal Ostuni is a spiral of buildings layered with so much whitewash that they look sculpted from meringue Inside one is Osteria del Tempo Perso (Via G 011-39/0831-304-819.) The front room is decorated with watercolors of Ostuni scenes past pendulums of cured meats and garlands of garlic and red peppers is a candlelit dining room in a cave that was carved out of bedrock 500 years ago Stacks of colorful fruits and vegetables surround a central column; the chef occasionally pops out of the kitchen to pluck a few for his recipes the waiter drops off a dozen tiny plates laden with antipasti: stuffed mushroom caps and frittata wedges try Apulia’s Frisbee-shaped orecchiette pasta under a tomato sauce speckled with salty cacioricotta cheese or topped with bitter turnip greens laced with spicy pepperoncini Work off the feast by wandering through the White City’s maze of alleys which are too narrow even for Italy’s minuscule cars Peek between buildings for views over terraced vineyards and olive groves to the Adriatic Sea a “cliff civilization” that inhabits the instep of Italy’s boot they carved cities directly into ravines and gullies made of tufa then quickly hardens upon exposure to the air the people of la civiltà rupestre have slapped front-room facades onto their cave entrances turning the tightly packed city centers into jumbles of houses stacked willy-nilly atop one another When Italy drew up its regional boundaries 140 years ago Apulia’s border sliced through this ancient culture lies five miles across the border in Basilicata some 15,000 people lived without electricity or running water in cave homes in Matera a city built into two parallel ravines separated by a high ridge the population was relocated en masse to a modern town on a plateau abandoned by all save a handful of the most destitute squatters—who caught rainwater in discarded washing machines and planted meager gardens in old bathtubs—became known as La Città Fantasma The Phantom City has risen from the dead: Revitalization efforts over the past decade have brought electricity, plumbing, and, slowly, the people into the old cave neighborhoods, known as i sassi (“the rocks”). In 1998, Raffaele and Carmela Cristallo bought a string of homes in the part of town known as Sasso Barisano and converted them into the Hotel Sassi (Via S. Giovanni Vecchio 89, Matera, 011-39/0835-331-009, hotelsassi.it $95–$110.) You can’t go wrong with any of the 22 rooms The rooms with only modern walls have balconies blessed with panoramas of the Barisano when warm yellow floodlights shine on the city took a vast cavern underneath the modern town and started serving pizza and Apulian dishes to hungry crowds They called the joint Il Terrazzino (Vico S 011-39/0835-332-503) because of its narrow terrace with views of the Barisano Over the ridge from Sasso Barisano is Sasso Caveoso the more rugged and untouched of the two cave-riddled ravines Matera’s town fathers left the far southeast end of the Sasso Caveoso alone This decision paid off in 2003: Mel Gibson chose Matera—and this neighborhood in particular—as the perfect stand-in for ancient Jerusalem in The Passion of the Christ Many people spend an entire day wandering the Caveoso in part because they keep getting lost in the maze of alleys or four for $6) scattered throughout the neighborhood are a big draw you needed to find someone with the keys and a flashlight for a look at the complex of a half-dozen churches known as the Convicino di San Antonio These days the doors are thrown open and there are wooden walkways to guide you through the tiny It’s still an eerie experience—you walk down steep tunnels into dark sunlight streams through windows bored through the rock Even more dramatic is the church of Santa Maria de Idris carved into a huge rock pinnacle jutting from the lip of a gorge Cave homes barnacle the lower reaches of the pinnacle and a broad staircase continues above them to a terrace in front of the blank masonry facade of the church Lecce is a town of traditional craftsmen and virtuoso chefs and its university lends the place a youthful cultural edge that’s missing from other Apulian cities throngs stroll past baroque churches and palazzi crowd the sidewalk tables that spill out of every café and pass the time in animated conversation until the 9 p.m A rosy bedroom at the Centro Storico B&BLorenzo PesceNot everyone is out and about A community of Benedictine nuns—locals simply call them Le Suore (“the sisters”)—lives a cloistered existence in the 12th-century convent of San Giovanni Evangelista on Via Manfredi Although you’re never allowed to see the sisters or meander around their convent you can play a kind of culinary Russian roulette with them Le Suore are almost always selling something to eat Ring the bell at the door and a feathery old woman’s voice crackles over the intercom The bare front room looks like a bank counter but with a solid wall instead of bullet-proof glass and a lazy Susan in place of a teller’s window Ask whether they have biscotti di pasta di mandorle—soft marzipan cookies with pear jelly in the center they may be selling raw fish that day; you never know (That the sisters speak only Italian makes the game even more interesting.) If you’d rather know what you’re buying up front visit the Mostra Permanente dell’Artigianato (Via Rubichi 21 011-39/0832-246-758,) a showcase for artisans from across the region The sole craft in short supply at the Mostra Permanente is the one that Lecce has been famous for since the 17th century: cartapesta Lecce’s workshops do a brisk business cranking out life-size saints they mold wet sheets of paper around giant featureless mannequins made of wire and straw then they stand the rough statues in the street next to a coal-stoked brazier Iron rods are shoved into the coals until they glow at which point the maestro plucks one out and uses it to burn delicate details into the clothing and faces Every time he touches the red-hot iron to the figure it sends up licks of flames and billows of smoke not unlike scenes of hell so popular in medieval mosaics The charred bodies begin to look holy only after thick layers of paint have been applied a trattoria in what's clearly a converted family dining roomLorenzo PesceSince a six-foot St visit the tiny studio of Maurizio Cianfano (Via C 011-39/333-799-3906) who specializes in foot-high figurines of 19th-century peasants Constantly grinning under his close-cropped hair Maurizio wears surgical gloves and a white lab coat spattered with the gray of papier-mâché and regiments of unfinished straw bodies wrapped with thread and attaches the peasant’s burden: a bundle of sticks across the back Lecce has its share of artists in the kitchen as well Concettina Cantoro presides over a trattoria so unassuming that it’s named Casareccia (Italian for “home cookin’”) It’s clearly a converted family dining room but along the walls are magazine clippings of Concettina demonstrating Lecce cooking to chefs in Boston and New York She’s a bit of a surrogate mamma to the workers who lunch here and groups who come for celebratory dinners She hates impersonal menus and instead offers suggestions: “Would you like a potato with pureed fava beans and wild chicory on the side?” By the time she’s back in the kitchen Mamma knows best—unless she’s suggesting an after-dinner shot of the digestivo d’alloro nuclear-green liqueur made from laurel leaves Lecce is celebrated for its architectural quirks which meshes the curves and curlicues of that period with the iconography and mythological beasts associated with the Middle Ages The facade of Lecce’s Santa Croce is a perfect example of the style: The building itself is curvy and baroque but decorated with a mix of pagan references and Christian symbols Atop one column is an ancient symbol of Christ’s Passion: a mother pelican pecking at her breast the blood flowing down to feed her fledglings follow the coastal road south for 30 miles to Òtranto an ancient city of twisting flagstone streets girded by a mighty wall The mosaic floor of Òtranto’s cathedral is a phantasmagoria of fantastical creatures: elephants Near the cathedral is Ristorante Da Sergio (Corso Garibaldi 9 011-39/0836-801-408,) a good place to digest the wild assortment of images as well as heaping plates of linguine with shrimp He proudly presents an oversize plate piled with the day’s catch he’ll insist it needs a couple of giant prawns “to keep the fish company on the plate.” As with Concettina it’s best to go with whatever Sergio suggests You’re guaranteed yet another happy ending Where to stay in Lecce? Centro Storico B&B: Via A. Vignes 2b, Lecce, 011-39/338-588-1265 or 011-39/0832-242-828, bedandbreakfast.lecce.it, $63–$85 I was surprised by Lee Se-young's hot confession "Europe Outside the Tent." Italy's romantic atmosphere explodes In tvN's entertainment show "Europe Outside the Tent - Romantic Italy," Lee Se-young and Lee Ju-bin's "The Four Ten Outs" journey to find Italy's hidden charm was unfolded unforgettable moments poured out so much that the modifier "romantic" was not a waste and Lee Se-young's surprise confession added to the excitement of viewers the travelogue of the four leading to Italy's unique town of "Alberobello" and the ancient city of "Matera," which can only be seen in movies who admired the architecture of Trulli in Alberobello showed a lively appearance even though they carried about 30kg backpacks who were immersed in the brilliant village scenery with extraordinary energy continued their journey as if walking in a painting the highlight of the broadcast was Lee Se-young's hot confession to Kwak Sun-young "There was a reason I fell in love with him." It was a moving and natural scene depicting a moment when the relationship between the two deepened which permeated the emotional atmosphere of Italy Viewers could not hide their smiles at Lee Se-young's witty expression and they could feel the four's friendship strengthening in the trip the members encountered another mysterious moment as they moved to the ancient city of Matera which is also famous as the filming location for Benhe and 007 in this 3,000-year-old place who stopped by a local traditional grocery store and enjoyed the unique Italian atmosphere immersed themselves in the local culture while shopping with handmade products available only in the Alberobello area an urgent scene reminiscent of a chase was also predicted The sight of running like a arrow in a maze of alleys arouses viewers' tension and raises questions about what will happen there the unexpected events experienced by the quartet were added making people feel the variety of travel to Italy "Europe Outside the Tent - Romantic Italy" captures a touching moment and an honest friendship even in a pleasant trip has become a human drama that unfolds the relationship and emotions of the members beyond simple travel entertainment medieval quarters and several hundred miles of coastline to enjoy not to mention the region’s star attraction: fantastic food Poor Puglia. For centuries rampaging armies used this heel of Italy as a convenient motorway en route to richer pickings further afield. Nowadays, tourists treat a large part of the region in much the same way – barely touching the ground at Brindisi or Bari before speeding south to newly trendy Salento, Puglia’s far southern tip (which we’ve covered in a separate guide). What they’re missing as they charge pell-mell for Lecce, Gallipoli et al is a profusion of medieval hilltop towns, olive groves, a coastline peppered with interesting towns, more olive groves, restaurant menus stuffed with local speciality dishes, two national parks, vineyards, yet more olive groves, and enough castelli, cattedrali and palazzi to keep even the most demanding of history buffs content. Oh, and Europe’s largest colony of pink flamingos. Read moreThe geography is fairly simple. The uplands are in the Gargano promontory in the north-east and the Alta Murgia national park in the west often pockmarked with small hills topped with a settlement of some sort There are several hundred miles of Adriatic coastline to the east wildlife-rich lakes in the north (Varano and Lesina) which are separated from the sea by low hills and sand dunes Since Puglia is basically the shape of an upturned hockey stick finding a way to see all this is an uncomplicated affair Hug the coast from Vieste in the north-east to Brindisi in the south before turning inland to take in the città bianche north to the mysterious hilltop Castel del Monte to experience one of its wonderful sunsets west to Foggia and then back into the Gargano to complete the loop take the train – the main line passes through Foggia before heading for the coast – to visit Trani The branch lines that crisscross the region are great for inexpensive day trips to places such as Altamura the local fish-based stew – but the port city is rather down at heel Broad thoroughfares of blanched stone flanked by tall palms brim with little shops and tempting places to eat The ancient settlement of Alberobello is so well preserved it’s been given Unesco World Heritage status Trulli scrumptious … Stone dwellings in Alberobello. Photograph: AlamyWhy Italians love Salento: great weather, beaches and party atmosphereRead moreAlmost as numerous as San Pio sightings are Puglia’s trulli these small beehive-like stone dwellings give the landscape the appearance of having been scattered with upturned ice-cream cones While most can be seen in the midst of plots of mature olive trees made square through decades of judicious pruning – the town of Alberobello boasts 1,400 trulli in a maze of narrow streets The ancient settlement is so well preserved it’s been given Unesco World Heritage status Just don’t mention hobbits – they’ve heard it before Alberobello is just one of Valle d’Itria’s string of città bianche or white towns each on their own little hilltop rising up from the plain and each staring out defiantly at the rest as if the days of petty fiefdoms were still with us Ostuni and Locorotondo are all worth a gander and are within easy striking distance of one another making a day’s medieval hilltop città tour pretty much obbligatorio if you’re in the neighbourhood are dwarfed by the northern stronghold of Foggia where ancient churches and palaces are so numerous it makes you wonder what the city’s inhabitants did beyond worshipping and living it up By the sea there’s a good mixture of wild coastline and more happening spots. Among the latter is Trani, a slow food city (do try a moscato di trani, the local dessert wine) whose pièce de résistance is a magnificent Swabian fortress and a Romanesque cathedral Polignano a Mare’s tiny cove. Photograph: Dixe Wills10 of the best country hotels in Italy with great foodRead moreHowever ask locals what their favourite seaside resort is and you’ll hear one name over and over again: Polignano a Mare Polignano has a compact medieval quarter that might have been designed expressly for lovers of indolent pre-prandial ambles The little town pushes itself right to the edge of limestone cliffs undercut by caves hewn by the ceaseless nibbling and gnawing of the Adriatic while its tiny and postcard-pretty beach could be a Cornish cove if it weren’t for the terrace of tall venerable buildings North up the coast is the Sentiero Airone nature reserve, home to those pink flamingos. The reserve is squeezed between the forest and peaks of the Gargano national park, which spreads over the eponymous northern peninsula, and the Alta Murgia national park are no fewer than 30,000 dinosaur footprints That’s not even the region’s most dramatic subterranean feature. Castellana Grotte (about 12 miles south-west from Polignano a Mare) is a two-mile-long labyrinth of passages and caverns – making a particularly welcome diversion on a hot summer day The Mint Cucina Fresca Polignano a MareThe region’s star attraction is the food Relatively impoverished though Puglia may be the Pugliese take their alimento very seriously indeed but there’s also a host of local specialities The inland town of Altamura produces bread prized all over Italy It’s baked in wooden ovens to a recipe unchanged since the Middle Ages with the u puène muedde loaf cheekily mimicking a priest’s hat Gioia del Colle is the place to go for mozzarella and burrata cheese; while in Murgia cardoncello mushrooms and lampascioni (wild onions) abound a traditional peasant dish consisting of a warm broad-bean pâté mixed with the local olive oil and served with bitter chicory Washed down with a carafe of an Apulian primitivo Rail tickets were supplied by Voyages-sncf, voyages-sncf.com Return fares from London to Brindisi start at £330 standard-class return per person using the overnight service from Paris to Milan and a direct service from Milan to Brindisi Budget airlines now fly to Puglia so increasing numbers of Brits can appreciate this region’s food Homes & Property | Where to live renting and decorating in London from our award-winning experts I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice Restaurateur Rob Claassen from Queen’s Park in north-west London was born in the capital but Italy has always been important in his life His Italian mother took him back to Rome twice a year for extended holidays and he grew up completely at home with the culture However it wasn’t until 2004 that he visited Puglia the “heel” of south-east Italy’s long boot between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas and budget airlines have only just started flying to its airports at Bari and Brindisi He returned for a second family holiday in 2005 bought his first Puglian house with his father in 2006 and has since bought two more properties “I like Puglia’s amazing diversity,” says Claassen beautiful hillside towns and olive groves all within easy distance of each other There are quiet country villages and pretty towns You see this diversity in the food and architecture Family homes include romantic country houses and farms nobles’ homes with thick walls and statuesque dimensions circular dry stone huts with conical roofs unique to Puglia and often grouped to make larger homes “I don’t know anywhere else in Italy where you can get the freshest seafood picking up today’s catch from the fishmonger and shopping in local markets.” Food is an important lifestyle ingredient for the founder of the Masseria Group which includes The Salusbury gastropub and The Salusbury Wine Store in NW6. In 2013 he brought his beloved flavours of Puglia to London, opening Ostuni London’s first restaurant to feature the Italian region’s food followed this summer with a second Ostuni in Highgate “The region of Puglia that I especially love is Valle d’Itria,” he says “Most of Puglia is flat but Itria has rolling hills Cisternino and the Unesco Heritage Site of Alberobello all within 25 minutes of the coast.” His three properties, all near Ostuni, are made up of trulli. He paid £500,000 in 2006 for a fully renovated house and pool and rents it for up to 15 weeks a year through Holiday Lettings It sleeps 12-14 in six bedrooms at a weekly rent of £1,800 to £3,840 He did rather better with his last two buys — two large plots He is developing the first and is after planning permission for the second pale limestone and adding traditional features like vaulted ceilings “The transaction was straightforward but it is important to use an experienced local architect and a project manager to deal with the local council,” he says Swiss holiday homes: Londoners are finding value alpine views and Latin charm near the Italian border - with chalets from £347k Holiday homes in Ibiza: daily flights from London give the cool White Isle year-round appeal - with investment flats starting from £180k Holiday homes in Cornwall: where to buy seaside retreats with the potential for good rental returns If you ask anyone in Queen’s Park where they are going on holiday it seems they all say Puglia — but the truth is it remains totally rural 1 See trulli houses at Alberobello Unesco World Heritage Site 2 Have an early evening stroll and an aperitivo in Locorotondo Enjoy the Valle d’Itria views and buy local wine 3 Dine at Grotta Palazzese in Polignano a Mare a hotel/restaurant carved out of limestone rocks with fab sea views 4 Join the summer street party in Ceglie Messapica when the entire town turns out to eat 5 Tour Il Frantoio a working masseria (fortified farm) with rooms where visitors are welcomed for a tour followed by a seven-course dinner Puglia’s “golden triangle” lies between Monopoli says agent Johan Zetterberg of Casa Puglia “It is close to Bari and Brindisi airports near the clear Adriatic Sea and in the most unspoilt and beautiful part of Valle d’Itria with all the most charming towns of Puglia.” Prices start at £98,000 for a small two-bedroom seaside flat A restored trullo with pool starts at £234,400 VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin David Beckham extends olive branch to son Brooklyn amid 'family feud' Pregnant Jesy Nelson reveals plans for future in message from her hospital bed after surgery Pregnant Jesy Nelson reveals plans for future in message from hospital Last Updated on 16th September 2024 by Sophie Nadeau Trulli houses sit side by side in Alberobello a quintessentially Apulian town in the very heart of Puglia the ‘heel of the boot’ of Southern Italy Often classed as a must-see on any trip to the region here’s your guide to the best things to do in Alberobello Alberobello is one of the small towns close to the city of Bari (which is served by its own international airport and offers links to the rest of Europe and beyond) Notable towns nearby include Cisternino and Locorotondo Alberobello boasts a population of just over 10,000 residents Alberobello is famous for its trulli houses (known in the singular as ‘trullo’) These unique house huts are typically one storey high and are characterised by being a whitewashed cylinder in shape which are topped by a conical roof The tradition of dry stone building dates back thousands of years The trulli are considered so historically important that they’ve been classed as a UNESCO world heritage site since 1996 If I were to recommend just a handful of places to visit in Puglia to someone I’m not sure that I would put Alberobello on the list and here’s why: the town is honestly one of the busiest places I’ve ever visited in Europe (and I currently live in central Paris France so I’m pretty used to crowded cities) it’s probably more pleasant to visit when there are fewer visitors but the truth is that I wasn’t as impressed by Alberobello as some of the other Apulian destinations we checked out on our road trip During our visit to Puglia we spent three nights in the close by town of Locorotondo which still feels like an authentic Italian town The mass of souvenir shops in Alberobello and all of the tourists (including ourselves of course!) definitely felt like an extreme example of over-tourism in Europe then I would recommend skipping out on Alberobello and instead heading to Martina Franca or Locorotondo With this being said, if you have a morning to spare, Alberobello is worth a visit, if only to admire the architecture and say you’ve been to this popular spot in Apulia and we’ve actually recommended a trip in our one week in Puglia guide If you’re interested in Apulian architecture This the only two-storey trullo in Alberobello and has since become a tourist attraction in its own right Sovrano is quite literally translated as ‘king’ or ‘ruler’ and the Trullo Sovrano can be found in the newer district of town the Trullo is in use as a small town heritage museum which exhibits the history of Alberobello and its surrounds The museum is very reasonably priced and costs €2 (€1,50 for concessions) there is perhaps no better way to enjoy all of the trulli of Alberobello than wandering around the town and letting your feet guide you where they may The most historic district of the town is Rione Monti and this is where you’ll find the oldest and biggest concentration of trulli (though they can also be found scattered across the newer parts of town too) many of which have been transformed into souvenir shops The best time to explore this part of Alberobello is earlier in the day and mid-week if possible High season is in July and August and this is when the town receives the most visitors One of the most historically important buildings in Alberobello is the Casa D’Amore which was built in 1797 and was the first house in the area to include terracotta & mortar in its façade The house was also the former home of Antonio Francesco D’Amore who led an uprising against the Acquaviva family The uprising was so significant that it led to the end of the feudal period in Alberobello Those who prefer to discover a place with the help of a local guide would do well to book a walking tour. Please note that most walking tours must be booked at least 10 hours ahead of when you plan to visit the town. Book a walking tour now. One of the most unique buildings in Alberobello is the Sant’Antonio Church which is located on the fringes of the Rione Monti district of the town The Church of Saint Antony was constructed in 1927 and is the only church in the world to be built in the trulli style I can’t stress to you enough how much I recommend heading away from the ‘trulli area’ (i.e you’ll discover that the rest of Alberobello has its own charms which are worth discovering not to mention that there are a number of trullo houses scattered around One of the most beautiful buildings in Alberobello that is not in the Apulian architectural style is the Basilica dei Santi Cosma e Damiano This ecclesiastical building is constructed in a neo-classical design and is dedicated to the patron saints of the city One of the most important things to know about visiting Alberobello is that thanks to the rise of social media over the past few years the little village is more popular than ever It’s almost impossible to have a relaxed walk through the streets unless you arrive extremely early (or it’s also really hard to park in Alberobello and so I would recommend arriving as early in the day as possible so as to reduce the amount of time you’ll have to wait for parking There is a tourism office on the fringes of the most historic part of town You’ll have to pay a nominal fee for even the simplest of tourist maps (I think we paid 50 cents,) which is not very much but it’s definitely one of the first times I’ve ever seen a tourist office charge for a map Due to the incredibly touristic nature of the town, my partner and I had already decided (prior to arrival) that we wouldn’t be eating in Alberobello. I would recommend making reservations in advance if you plan to have lunch or dinner in the Puglian town. Like many small towns which find their roots in centuries gone by the historic city centre of Alberobello is pretty small and can easily be seen on foot over the course of around an hour or so If you want to explore the newer part of town, grab a coffee or bite to eat (check our our guide to local food in Puglia here) then you’ll want to set aside around half a day to see everything that Alberobello has to offer The one way to truly avoid the crowds is to stay overnight in Alberobello though you’ll have to pay a premium in order to do so we opted to stay in nearby Locorotondo which was much more affordable for the quality of the accommodation here are some of the best places to stay in Alberobello: Mid-range: This cosy B&B is nestled within a building which dates back to the 1800s in the newer part of town, meaning it’s a little quieter as a neighbourhood. Check prices and availability here. Luxury: For the ultimate unforgettable experience during your time in Alberobello, you’ll want to check yourself into this one of a kind five-star hotel. Highlights include air conditioning and a restaurant onsite. Check prices and availability here. Enjoyed reading about the best things to do in Alberobello Sophie Nadeau is a full time travel writer and photographer focused on cultural experiences in Europe and beyond When she's not chasing after the sunset (or cute dogs she sees on her travels) she can be found reading and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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