Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights Catherine Sabino is an editor and author who writes about travel.Follow AuthorSep 26 10:55am EDTShareSaveComment@font-face{font-family: "Schnyder"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Merriweather"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/merriweather/merriweather-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/merriweather/merriweather-bold-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Euclid"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/euclidcircularb/euclidcircularb-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/euclidcircularb/euclidcircularb-bold-webfont.woff") format("woff"); 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Three UNESCO World Heritage sites and the city of Matera in adjoining Basilicata are easy to reach Andria and Altamura are Alta Murgia’s most visited cities. In Andria the star attraction is Castel del Monte, an imposing 13th-century citadel and the best-known stronghold of Frederick II a charismatic and cosmopolitan medieval ruler (and Holy Roman Emperor) a UNESCO site created in an octagonal shape incorporates classic and Arab architectural elements (Photo by Peter Meißner/ullstein bild via Getty Images) Frederick II was instrumental to the development of Altamura, a city often considered one of southern Italy’s “hidden gems.” Known for his fervid support of the arts and encouraged settlers to move to the city promising religious tolerance and to sweeten the deal These newcomers created distinct neighborhoods taking up residence in buildings constructed around small courtyards called “claustri,” a defining characteristic of the city’s centro storico today with many palazzi built between the 16th to 19th centuries But Altamura’s history reaches back even further named for the skeleton of a 35-year-old Neanderthal man discovered near the city in 1993 consists of three museums that showcase the city’s prehistoric past The local culinary treat is Pane di Altamura but more certainly from the late Middle Ages it must be made according to a simple recipe with specific ingredients like the Antica Forno Santa Caterina which opened in 1391 the Alta Murgia is home to 13 cities and towns for its elevated position affording stunning views of the Murgian countryside and the site of a medieval fair dating from 1294 The town is also well known for its dramatic aqueduct bridge Although not one of the official Alta Murgia municipalities a pristine locale with a jigsaw-like centro storico filled with white stone buildings Palo del Colle is rich in history,” says Sabrina Piccininni it was once a territory of the powerful Milan Sforza clan maintained a residence (now the Palazzo dei Principi Filomarino) and helped expand and renovate the main church Palo has many churches brimming with ecclesiastical art; like the Baroque Chiesa del Purgatorio originally built for the parish’s aristocrats Outdoor altars venerating various saints are located throughout the town Palo del Colle draws about 7000 visitors a year which led to the creation of the town’s Palio (Palo’s Palio del Viccio typically takes place on Shrove Tuesday.) She notes that roots tourism is very common here with travelers seeking to learn about their ancestry “arriving from Germany The town is also well-known for its freshly baked taralli wheat-based biscuits that are often flavored with fennel seed and served with aperitifs Young vintners like Nicola and Francesco Toto are creating a new chapter for Murgia wines with award-winning labels like Il Miglione Rosso and Giulette Bianco The Castello Marchesale/Palazzo Ducale dates from 1104 It was expanded and modified over the centuries Well known for its prized Slow Food almonds dates at least to the ninth or tenth centuries The centro storico includes a Norman-era clock tower and a medieval Castello Marchesale/Ducal Palace (The ducal portion of the palace is now owned by Giuseppe Paccione an attorney in Toritto; the ground floor and courtyard are sometimes used for events) Other landmarks include the Palazzo D’Urso with beautiful frescoes and heritage churches (San Nicola dating from 1402 and the 11th-century Madonna delle Grazie) Between three and four thousand men and women emigrated to the Americas from Toritto during the late 19th and early 20th centuries an exodus commemorated by a monument in the town The town is famous for its prized Slow Food almonds Almonds are the specialty of the town and sought-after by chefs throughout Italy Each September Toritto celebrates its famous product with a sagra and events and a food festival highlighting Toritto flavors according to Francesco Palmiotto of Proloco Toritto D’Urso runs the farm estate with her husband Domenico Viti The Masseria Pilapalucci dates from the 16th century The Masseria includes a bed and breakfast with a restaurant and pool Heading up the culinary efforts is renowned chef and cookbook author who reinvents classic Puglian dishes utilizing the bounty of the Murgia countryside An event that celebrates the beauty and value of Italian geodiversity promoted by the Alta Murgia National Park Authority.“The Journey to Geoparks” is the title of this second edition: between landscapes sculpted by time Biodiversa will take us on a journey through the history of the Earth to discover wonderful places and the excellences they preserve workshops and tastings to discover Italian Geoparks as places of protection environmental education and sustainable development of local communities Biodiversa is organized in collaboration with: Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security · ISPRA · Italian Geoparks Network · Federparchi · Puglia Region · Municipality of Gravina in Puglia · Carabinieri Forestry Environmental and Agri-food Unit Command · National Council of Geologists · Quality Products of the Puglia Region · Educational Woods of the Puglia Region The participation of ISPRA President Stefano Laporta the Director of the Department for monitoring and protection of the environment and for the conservation of biodiversity of ISPRA Luigi Ricci and the researcher Elisa Brustia is expected ISPRA will be present with a stand and on Saturday 10 May it is organizing the workshop "The 24 national parks of Italy Program A bishop probably suffering from problems of megalomania but very shrewd and shrewd a community of believers extremely devoted to the worship of an image of the Madonna a large supply of money: these are the ingredients that led to the construction of one of the most unique churches in the world the shrine of Our Lady of Grace (or “delle Grazie”: throughout history we have referred to the building of worship in both ways) in Gravina in Puglia The uniqueness of this incredible monument lies in its façade: in fact it was conceived as a huge heraldic coat of arms of the bishop who had it built a member of the “Greek” branch of one of the most prominent families in Genoa which had been entrusted since the 14th century by the Compagna Communis (i.e. the republican organization of medieval Genoa) with the management of the Greek island of Chio when Chios fell to the Turks: the Ottomans slaughtered many members of the family who was a great art collector and patron of Caravaggio (at the time of the events he was only a two-year-old child) the one who was to become bishop of Gravina at the time a boy of sixteen: all the survivors of the family were forced to take shelter in Italy and the members divided themselves mainly between Genoa and Rome.Vincenzo Giustiniani trained between Genoa and Turin (where he graduated in law) he was appointed governor of Tivoli by Pope Sixtus V: he spent three years on the banks of the Aniene River during which he distinguished himself for his remarkable administrative skills so much so that in 1593 the new pope Clement VIII decided to appoint him bishop of Gravina a post Giustiniani would hold until his death twenty-one years later In the famous Dizionario di erudizione storico-ecclesiastica the monumental work by Gaetano Moroni (Rome 1802 - 1883) in which numerous Church personalities from St Peter up to the date of publication of Moroni’s encyclopedia (the first edition was published in 1840) are reviewed Vincenzo Giustiniani’s profile is summarized as follows: “in 1593 Clement VIII made Vincenzo Giustiniani from Genoa bishop of Gravina who instituted the seminary and assigned to it the necessary rents founded the conservatory of the Capuchin Sisters and not far from the city in 1602 erected from the foundations the church of the Blessed Virgin of Grace: he flourished in zeal Giustiniani’s first measure as bishop of Gravina was precisely the establishment of the seminary: the prelate was strongly convinced that members of the clergy should have a solid theological and for this reason he worked hard to ensure that the Land of Bari (i.e. the administrative subdivision of the Kingdom of Naples corresponding to the present province of Bari) would have its first seminary even inventing new taxes (such as the one justified to fight the locusts that had infested the countryside around the city) and in just two years the seminary was able to open its doors (today the building that once housed it is an apartment building in Gravina’s historic center) The other measure mentioned by Moroni is the construction of the conservatory of the “cappuccinelle”: this was a structure designed to provide education for poor girls who lived on alms (and for this reason they were ironically called “cappuccinelle” by their fellow citizens: because questing was a habit of the Capuchins) the term “conservatory” had a different meaning from the one we attach to it today: a “conservatory” was understood to mean a charitable institution aimed at providing education to the less well-off the purpose of the Capuchin women’s conservatory Matthew and later became a cloistered convent Giustiniani has also gone down in history for his struggle against the city of Altamura: the city’s cathedral enjoyed a privilege instituted by Frederick II which made the Altamuran church exempt from bishop jurisdictions and dependent exclusively on the sovereign (who appointed the archpriest of Altamura) and the Holy See to include Altamura in the diocese of Gravina as to launch an excommunication on Altamura (because he was prevented from making a pastoral visit to the city): the excommunication was only lifted in 1622 but the clashes continued for decades and ended only in 1818 when Pope Pius VII confirmed Altamura’s rights The town then became an episcopal see in 1848 Giustiniani has remained famous above all for the bizarre church of Santa Maria della Grazia which has consigned his name to architectural history: in fact reproducing its coat of arms on the façade on such a monumental scale the year in which the bishop of Gravina visited some country chapels outside the city: Giustiniani was struck by the devotion that the inhabitants of the rural areas of this strip of Apulia nurtured towards an image of the Madonna located inside a small chapel that nonetheless attracted a great many worshippers this chapel is mentioned as “Santa Maria la gratia alias de Cardone”: Cardone is most likely the name of the person who built it the bishop decided to give the people of Gravina a larger church: therefore theprocess of building a church dedicated to the Virgin of Grace Work began at the turn of 1597-1598 and was completed a few years later We can only imagine the astonishment of the inhabitants of Gravina on seeing the completed church was (and still is) divided into two parts: in the lower register large ashlar ashlars applied to the wall recreate the shape of a castle whose towers correspond to the building’s three access doors A huge stone eagle with spread wings soars above the central tower while a stone bishop’s mitre is inserted in the center of the broken tympanum that closes the facade The design corresponds exactly to that of the Giustiniani coat of arms an eagle surmounting a castle with three towers Vincenzo Giustiniani was very adept at forestalling the criticism that celebrate in such a blatant and truncated manner the lineage of the bishop who had it built Lest it appear that his was a blatant sin of pride the bishop of Gravina also invented some sort of religious just ification for the more than cumbersome presence Giustiniani had a passage from Deuteronomy (32:11) engraved in Latin in an area of the façade that could be easily observed by anyone: “sicut aquila provocans ad volandum pullos suos et super eos volitans expandit alas suas et portat eos” (“as the eagle exhorts its chicks to fly by flying above them it spreads its wings and carries them on itself”) The “explanation” of the castle fortitudinis a facie nemici” (“Tower firm in the face of enemies”) takes the form of an invitation to strengthen faith The façade is counterbalanced by a very sober almost bare interior: three naves with few ornaments and which are presented with the arrangement they have obtained over time since the church of Santa Maria della Grazia has been remodeled several times due to collapses that have affected it over the centuries Despite the motivations that Bishop Giustiniani offered to the faithful with the inscriptions on the façade which seek to tone down the façade’s self-celebratory tone who discussed the church of Santa Maria della Grazia in Gravina in Puglia in the volume devoted to the seventeenth century in her History of Architecture “the message of the commissioning power is expressed in the highest communicative poignancy through a festive manipulation of local building craftsmanship adhering to a precise iconological program in which the self-celebratory intentionality of the patron is recognized presents itself toward the town with an obvious well-thought-out message of great appeal.” Despite the uniqueness of its architecture the church of Santa Maria della Grazia in Gravina di Puglia has had a very tribulated history since as early as a few years after the death of Vincenzo Giustiniani it experienced several years of neglect Bishop Domenico Cennini worked to restore both the church and the building that Giustiniani had built next to it (it had the function of an ecclesiastical residence): the faithful continued to show their devotion to Our Lady of Grace through conspicuous bequests to the church but its defiladed location was also the cause of numerous thefts that affected the building over the centuries fell into a state of neglect on several occasions was closed to worship for a long time (it would only return to its function in 1951) and in 1980 had to suffer damage from the Irpinia earthquake so much so that massive restoration was necessary was the construction of the railroad at the end of the 19th century: the route of the tracks was made to pass right in front of the church which in a few years saw not only the rails rise up in front of it but also the Gravina in Puglia train station and all the buildings attached to it (even the Cathedral Chapter asked the state for damages for the landscape havoc) in recent times a modern building was attached to the extraordinary facade which has published many documents on the sacred building on its website I’m not complaining: I love the afternoon buzz you now get in the old streets of Monopoli and will always take a visiting friend to Alberobello Ostuni remains unbeatable for shopping and views and there’s a fish restaurant I go to regularly in Polignano a Mare "},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"But while these places are absolutely worth a visit they have adapted to meet the needs of the international traveller — take the regeneration of (now extortionate) beach clubs the gradual disappearance of get-what-you’re-given antipasti It has everything that makes the popular hill towns special and more: smart whitewashed alleyways festooned with bougainvillea an imposing Swabian castle that can be climbed for long views of whitewashed towns and plenty of Jewish history — evidence of which you can see in the Porta degli Ebrei (Jewish gate) and large bronze menorah on the western edge of the old town There’s another viewpoint by the cathedral multicoloured dome and crypt with mummified bodies and the archaeological museum gives you a good sense of the place (free; comune.oria.br.it) with trattoria-laden piazzas dotted about and restaurants in hidden courtyards noble palazzo and sociable Piazza XX Settembre where locals gather in the evenings easily overlooked Mola feels like Monopoli did 20 years ago Recent investment has regenerated the wide seafront promenade particularly around the polygonal Angevin castle a striking angular fort that was built in 1279 to help defend the town from pirates Head to Caffé Roma on the main square for affordable "}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"aperitivi"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" and "}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"stuzzichini"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" (nibbles) Then make your way to the fish market on Lungomare Dalmazia for straight-off-the-boat catches and a very authentic experience Bari"}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"2b02f7f3-aa56-4309-aaa7-61f197e53603","display":"fullwidth","caption":"A scene from the latest James Bond film but did you know the bridge James Bond jumps off is actually in Gravina Make your way to Via Fontana la Stella to cross the famous bridge into town or simply enjoy views of the cathedral and once-inhabited caves You can explore some of the underground networks with an excursion to Gravina Sotterranea (weekend tours from £4; gravinasotterranea.it) with leafy avenues housing smart "}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"pasticceria"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" and glossy dress shops and a lovely little garden square full of angular-shaped trees and a couple of bar/cafés Head to Bar Sayonara for a latte macchiato and a custard-stuffed croissant under the branches (facebook.com/p/bar-sayonara) Stay at the affordable B&B Giardino delle Delizie for its period features especially on a warm evening as the Aragonese castle catches the sunset with big exhibitions at the castle gallery (Chagall until October £13; arthemisia.it) and lots of jewellery boutiques and studios lining its streets The dining scene is varied and atmospheric from Michelin-starred Pasha (menus from £110; ristorantepasha.com) to cheap-but-charming Kalime on Corso Domenico Morea where you can sip cocktails for £4 and eat pinsa (like pizza) for £2 Not to be missed is Rampa Villa with its tables cascading down wide often with a live band playing at the top (mains from £8; rampavilla.it) but it’s not by the coast and it’s far less busy What it does have is a well-laid-out Wednesday-morning market that sprawls across town; one of the best historic centres a famous February carnival (the oldest in Europe dating from 1394); some excellent restaurants including Michelin-starred Angelo Sabatelli (mains from £27; angelosabatelliristorante.com) and a varied history involving Benedictine monks who apparently stole most of the church bells but if you want caves head to the underground casts in nearby Castellana Grotte (£16; grottedicastellana.it) and one that remains (wondrously) unspoilt by the masses It has a little bit of everything: deep-blue waters an architecturally beautiful historic centre with noble buildings crafted from local limestone such as the castle built by Frederick II (£6; museipuglia.cultura.gov.it) an arresting Romanesque cathedral dating from the 1100s (cattedraletrani.it) and excellent restaurants serving fresh fish and good moscato which has tasting menus from £85 (quintessenzaristorante.it) to take in the colourful palazzos and yachts at the marina Stay at the boutique Le Stanze di Corteinfiore which has an acclaimed restaurant downstairs and modern Lecce"}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Castro about 11 miles south of Otranto towards the bottom of the heel draws lively Italians from the north and in-the-know international visitors during the summer months rocky and fun cousin of the other more popular coastal towns of Puglia such as Monopoli The Salento town cascades down a cliff from an Aragonese castle (housing the archaeological museum £5; museoarcheologicocastro.it) to Porto Vecchio where you can book excursions to nearby caves Its history stretches back to the ancient Greeks Rome’s answer to the Greek goddess Athena (the remains of her temple are still being excavated) In summer the seafront buzzes with activity — make time to stop by the Martinucci Laboratory for pistachio ice cream and a side of its famous pasticciotti (martinuccilaboratory.it) Maglie is positively bouji with its streets in warm Lecce stone — the colour of the Cotswolds — and beautiful baroque architecture setting a well-heeled tone That’s backed up further by the independent and upmarket designer fashion stores The historic centre is small but atmospheric with families idling together on the pleasant Piazza Antonio Tamborino Countless churches (the best is the cathedral whose tower is one of the highest in the province) and a couple of museums make Maglie ripe for a day trip — perhaps combined with a noodle around Castro on the coast August draws lively foodie crowds attending the festival of gastronomy Mercatino del Gusto (mercatinodelgusto.it) Stay at the Don Totu masseria just outside Maglie twin it with Canosa: this interesting town on the edge of the Murgia plateau is an archaeologist’s dream The town is redeveloping the small but shady Villa Comunale park (next to the Cathedral of St Sabinus and the Mausoleum of Bohemond) with its garden of Daunian and Roman relics and the prestigious National Archaeological Museum is five minutes’ walk from there (£4; museipuglia.cultura.gov.it) If you’re planning to see the castle ruins stop off for lunch at Nell’Arco del Tempo; an authentic all-afternoon nine-course meal with wine costs £30pp (booking essential; nellarcodeltempo.com) Note that the area towards the castle feels slightly edgier and less developed than the centre Stay at the Villa Pesce 1820 hotel on the outskirts of town with a smattering of street graffiti and a less polished feel a particular type of sourdough-style bread which you can buy from numerous bakeries dotted about — or learn about at the bread museum (free; museodelpaneforte.it) Then there’s the 13th-century Romanesque Cathedral of St Mary of the Assumption on Piazza Duomo built on an old Saracen site (diocesidialtamura.it) head to Palazzo Baldassarre to gape at the reproduced “popcorny” remains of a calcified Neanderthal skeleton called Altamura Man (£3; uomodialtamura.it) along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners is a big-hitter for holidays — but there are still uncrowded towns and villages that offer a window into slow-paced Italy is a country that never fails to wow Check out our recommendations","slug":"italy","categoryPath":"/travel/destinations/europe-travel/italy/italy-hczrcm2mz","__typename":"Article","summary({\"maxCharCount\":105})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"I fell in love with Italy on a trip organised by the art tutor of my sixth-form college We travelled in"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":125})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"I fell in love with Italy on a trip organised by the art tutor of my sixth-form college We travelled in an old VW 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"},"children":[]},{"name":"link","attributes":{"href":"https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe/italy/sicily/"},"children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Sicily"},"children":[]}]},{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":" We slept in"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":225})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"I fell in love with Italy on a trip organised by the art tutor of my sixth-form college in anticipation of Michael Ma","slug":"the-ultimate-road-trip-for-f1-fans-in-italys-prettiest-region","categoryPath":"/travel/the-ultimate-road-trip-for-f1-fans-in-italys-prettiest-region-l079hwc6n","__typename":"Article","summary({\"maxCharCount\":105})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Who better to guide you on holiday — a highly strung racing-car designer or a veteran film director 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strung racing-car designer or a veteran film director in anticipation of Michael Mann’s biopic of"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":225})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Who better to guide you on holiday — a highly strung racing-car designer or a veteran film director in anticipation of Michael Mann’s biopic of Enzo Ferrari authentic Italian lifeCastro is towards the bottom of the heel of ItalyALAMYCharlotte Eggleston-JohnstoneSaturday June 01 2024 The Sunday TimesOver the past 20 years of holidaying in Puglia But while these places are absolutely worth a visit the old Italy is still here — these are the places in Puglia to find it — just don’t tell anyone This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue For all these stays fly to Bari or Brindisi Become a subscriber and Sign up for our Times Travel newsletter and follow us on Instagram and X the Alta Murgia region—an overlooked cultural gem—is entering a new era of prosperity Scalera inherited her father’s passion for tending to animals and making artisanal cheese at a young age. After spending a year in the Netherlands in 2019 for an agriculture exchange program she decided to return home and take over the family farm rather than continue working abroad like many of her friends you see [home] from another perspective,” Scalera said a uniquely well-preserved skeleton of a Neanderthal man who lived approximately 150,000 years ago And regional chefs use locally foraged and harvested ingredients such as wild thistles (Puglia produces almost 40 percent of the olive oil in Italy.) (In Naples, what’s 2,000 years old is new again.) But this obscure corner of Puglia is experiencing a renaissance returning young entrepreneurs like Scalera and city administrators are restoring areas previously covered in trash and opening archaeological sites once closed to the public While Puglia’s Salento beaches and Gargano coast have recently become some of Italy’s most traveled areas attracting millions of visitors including celebrities like Helen Mirren Alta Murgia remains true to its unique cultural and culinary traditions offering to those who venture into its inner routes the unexpected taste of a place lost in time Alta Murgia and its surrounding communities began an extensive rehabilitation headed by nonprofit organizations Their efforts paid off in 2004 when the 261-square-mile flatlands became a national park said this designation laid the groundwork for people like Scalera to return and invest in the land an abandoned bauxite quarry inside the park the cicadas’ din echoed along the vermillion-hued cliffs Tarantini said that once the bauxite extraction ended in the 1970s the cave became an illegal dumping ground for industrial textile scraps but the site reopened this summer to the public Aiming to bring more attention to the park, Tarantini nominated Alta Murgia last November to become a UNESCO Global Geopark a protected place of geological significance to be managed sustainably Efforts to earn the designation include working with the regional towns to improve access and conservation of the park and creating multiday itineraries for visitors “We are a geologist’s paradise,” Tarantini said “We want to share our heritage with the world.” (This little-known Italian paradise is more than meets the eye.) a 13th-century geometric fortress built by King Frederick II overlooks the small town of Andria in the Puglia region of Italy with each of the eight corners sporting an octagonal tower the castle was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996.Storyteller Donato Laborante sits inside the crypt housing the Byzantine frescoes dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel in Altamura’s Masseria Jesce the building was previously a monastery and a farm.“Castel del Monte possesses exceptional universal value for the perfection of its structure the harmony and the fusion of cultural elements from northern Europe and aqueducts dug under the town out of solid rock “We need slowness,” said Mastromatteo, who welcomes innovative, inclusive projects like FlyOn that allow people with disabilities to view the town through images captured by a flying drone The revival efforts of Alta Murgia can best be seen at the Masseria Jesce a 16th-century farmhouse on the outskirts of Altamura Once an ancient Roman Appian Way resting post the farmhouse features a 14th-century frescoed crypt dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel It was bought by the municipality in the late 1980s (A Roman-era “superhighway” is disappearing. Italy has a plan to save it.) takes care of Masseria Jesce with other volunteers Laborante keeps the place alive by hosting theater events and art exhibitions Currently the only way to visit this masseria (farmhouse) is to ring Laborante and hope he’s available rides a horse in Gravina in Puglia near Alta Murgia national park.Wearing a long peppery beard Laborante walked me to the upper floor of the masseria He told me to wait in the first room as he sped ahead to open the next two doors “Why do people fall in love with these places pointing at the far window facing the wild Murgia steppe James BondWho will be the next James Bond?By Jack King and Killian Faith-KellyFor this we can thank director Cary Joji Fukunaga, who realised that though James Bond is British that can mean many things – but what it certainly doesn’t mean is that he cuts himself off from the rest of the world to sit on the rainy outcrop of rock in the North Atlantic where he was born Perhaps the most striking location featured in No Time To Die is Matera a town in Basilicata that looks like it is carved directly into the hillside – because it is Hundreds of tiny grottoes make up the famous town which as recently as the 1980s was all but abandoned (unsurprisingly when offered the choice between living in poverty in a cave But Matera has since undergone a renaissance If you subscribe to Condé Nast Traveller or another travel publication you’ll doubtless have heard all about Matera already; in 2017 the University Of Siena estimated that a quarter of housing stock in the town was available to rent on Airbnb In the No Time To Die trailer a car chase that magically jumps between shots of the Basilicata town and Gravina in Puglia (for that bit where Bond jumps off the famous two-tier Roman bridge) doesn’t feature prominently in the trailer but No Time To Die reportedly shot there over two days on a nearby beach called the Spiaggia Aell’Arco Magno It’s less sexy in English (“Big Arch Beach”) but the arco in question is a prominent geological accident eroded in the cliff to form a sort of gateway into a sheltered Stay at Hotel Palazzo Margherita Owned by Francis Ford Coppola and his family you can tick off two massive franchises (the other being The Godfather trilogy) in one trip Palazzo Margherita is about 45 minutes from Matera or Gravina in Puglia and a couple of hours from Sapri The very first details of Bond 25 – including the reveal that Lashana Lynch would play 007 leading to typical handwringing and brilliant unwitting publicity for the film from the right-wing press – were revealed at Ian Fleming’s Jamaica estate also on the north coast of the island but considerably further east is the setting for Bond’s (obviously short-lived) retirement we saw a yacht heading to a waterside cabin not unlike the one Bond tried to retire to (again briefly) in Skyfall Jamaica has long been a favoured filming location for the franchise It was the setting for that famous Honey Ryder scene in Dr No and in 1973 Bond returned for Live And Let Die where Jamaica stood in for banana republic San Monique For a film series that increasingly enjoys nods to its own past it’s no surprise No Time To Die found a way to head back to the Caribbean Stay at the Goldeneye Estate obvs where you can rent Fleming's Villa (now converted into a highly desirable residence featuring many of the author's personal items including the desk at which he wrote much of the 007 canon) FilmNo Time To Die is the sequel Casino Royale always deserved, 15 years laterBy Thomas BarrieFor anyone looking to re-create the scene Other scenes filmed were centred on the Atlantic Ocean Road surely one of the most absurdly beautiful and nerve-wracking stretches of A-roads in the world its causeways and arched bridges cross just over eight kilometres of stormy Atlantic waters (imagine driving south through the Hebrides but a little more dramatic and with bank-breaking tolls) A classic Bond location if ever there was one Stay at the Grand Hotel, Oslo Norway’s such a chilled out country that it’s unlikely Bond would ever have any business there Stay at the Corinthia Hotel where you can re-create Bond’s brooding moments on the outdoor terrace The island is so dramatic that it boasts 13 peaks and 11 valleys and is nicknamed “The Flute” but only about 150 people actually live there There are bi-weekly direct flights to the Faroes from London throughout the summer and direct flights from Edinburgh all year round Bond’s just one of the attractions: the islands are also home to a two-Michelin-star restaurant So if you like watching birds or eating them Rumours that filming for No Time To Die was underway at Aviemore in the Cairngorms turned out to be for another car chase sequence from the trailer which saw a vehicle flip end-over-end while racing along beside a loch rundown family home in the Highlands for the climax of the film Other Scottish outings for the series include Eilean Donan Castle in The World Is Not Enough (remember the flamethrower bagpipes?) Gare Loch in The Spy Who Loved Me and Loch Craignish in From Russia With Love (inexplicably somehow doubling for Turkey) The Local Europe ABVästmannagatan 43113 25 StockholmSweden Please log in here to leave a comment The Alta Murgia National Park has been declared a UNESCO Geopark The Alta Murgia National Park has been officially declared a UNESCO Geopark, becoming the 12th Italian Geopark, joining other protected areas of great value in Italy. The official announcement was made by the president of the nature authority who emphasised that this recognition represents an important step forward for the valorisation and promotion of a unique territory This prestigious recognition enshrines the global importance of the area natural and cultural heritage of inestimable value In addition to its incredible geological variety which includes rock formations dating back millions of years It is home to numerous animal and plant species thus contributing to the conservation of biodiversity at a European level Please get to know the beauty of the Alta Murgia National Park with us covers a vast limestone plateau of about 68,000 hectares embracing the provinces of Bari and Barletta-Andria-Trani The park territory is characterised by a unique morphology with sedimentary rocks formed about 100 million years ago in the Cretaceous period These rocks have created a karstic landscape as well as castles and famous residences such as Castel del Monte one of the most famous castles in southern Italy and a World Heritage Site The history of the Alta Murgia is strongly linked to agriculture and pastoralism Traditional fortified farms and the remains of farmers' houses testify to the ancient bond between man and this rugged territory often surrounded by extensive cultivated or grazing land represent the resilience of local communities in living in a sometimes impervious environment The Alta Murgia is also renowned for the Dinosaur Quarry in Altamura where around 30,000 dinosaur footprints were discovered in 1999 making it the richest deposit in the world In addition to the faunal remains dating between 500,000 and 400,000 years ago these discoveries make the Alta Murgia a reference point for archaeological and palaeontological research The inclusion of the Park in the UNESCO Geoparks network represents a great achievement achieved thanks to the cooperation of local communities This recognition not only enhances the park's natural heritage but also strengthens the territory's commitment to promoting sustainable development With its accession to UNESCO, the Alta Murgia becomes a place of international importance, opening up new opportunities for tourism, scientific research and the conservation of its extraordinary natural and cultural heritage,  as it was for another Italian geopark, the Beigua mountain park. The Alta Murgia UNESCO Geopark offers a journey through breathtaking natural landscapes archaeological sites and unique historical testimonies One of the main attractions is undoubtedly one of Italy's most important medieval fortifications and a UNESCO heritage site famous for its octagonal shape and mysterious symbolism Nature lovers can explore the spectacular Gravine such as the Gravina di Laterza or the Gravina di Matera the Lamalunga cave in Altamura holds the exceptional discovery of the Altamura Man a perfectly preserved Neanderthal skeleton while the nearby dinosaur footprint site in Altamura Around the park, the charming medieval villages of Ruvo di Puglia and Gravina in Puglia are worth a visit with their historical centres rich in tradition the surrounding area offers historical masserie and farms immersed in the countryside ideal for savouring Apulian cuisine and enjoying the breathtaking panorama of the Alta Murgia The recognition of the Alta Murgia as a UNESCO Geopark not only enhances the geological and naturalistic value of this extraordinary territory but also places it in an international network of unique and protected places This prestigious title will help promote the park as a sustainable tourism destination attracting visitors who are passionate about nature Discovering the Alta Murgia means exploring a corner of the world where geology offering unique and unforgettable experiences Visit the Alta Murgia Geopark and be fascinated by its natural and historical wonders discovering all that this UNESCO site has to 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 12-10-2024FELICIA Felicia proves that great-tasting Italian noodles don’t have to be made from wheat BY FastCo Works Golden-colored penne and spaghetti dishes have become beloved staples in Italian kitchens a flour made from hard durum wheat—the way it’s been done for centuries an Italian pasta company—a relative newcomer founded in 2009—believes there is room for some healthier alternatives recently launched a “colorful revolution” in pasta built on the natural colors of cereals and legumes such as buckwheat These are some of the foundational ingredients to Felicia’s pastas—and all are naturally gluten-free and organically farmed the company launched an awareness campaign highlighting that pastas made from cereals and legumes have more protein and minerals than pastas made with semolina The success of that campaign boosted Felicia’s profile and increased sales “We employ the best ingredients that nature gives us,” says Carlo Stocco managing director for North America at Andriani “and we promote a more responsible approach to food consumption.” A canny understanding of how people think about food—while creating good-tasting healthy alternatives in the supermarket—has earned Felicia a place among Fast Company’s Brands That Matter for 2024 Felicia’s innovative approach to pasta is designed in part to appeal to consumers’ growing appetite for healthy foods that don’t skimp on taste In addition to its commitment to healthful ingredients and supports soil-friendly regenerative agricultural practices that use a broader variety of flours Its pasta plant in southern Italy is carbon neutral employing solar power and a biomass boiler that uses food waste scraps as fuel to reduce natural gas consumption by up to 90% An on-site trigeneration plant also efficiently contributes to the production of electricity The facility recovers water from the pasta production process to cultivate spirulina algae and antioxidants that is used in some of the brand’s pasta Felicia also helps its farmers improve their operations by adopting environmentally friendly cultivation practices and deploying high-tech tools such as sensors that can monitor crop health “Our sustainability work is not a reaction to a consumer trend,” Stocco says It is our purpose to have a positive impact on the health and the wellness of people Stocco understands that pasta made from cereals and legumes might be a hard sell to a public that finds those flavors bland But as Felicia formally enters the North American market—with plans to build a state-of-the-art production plant in Canada—Stocco is confident that consumers can get past this preconception and at trade shows where Felicia invites attendees to try the pasta for themselves It’s really an exciting experience,” Stocco says “Our products are a great way to show people that eating more healthily does not have to be boring or compromise on what people expect from good pasta and the company that makes it.” The final deadline for Fast Company’s Brands That Matter Awards is Friday, May 30, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today. FastCo Works is Fast Company's branded content studio. Advertisers commission us to consult on projects, as well as to create content and video on their behalf. More Fast Company & Inc © 2025 Mansueto Ventures Fastcompany.com adheres to NewsGuard’s nine standards of credibility and transparency. Learn More Ronda council plans to officially "twin" with an Italian town that has a similar bridge to its own and is located in a national park above ravines and canyons The location Ronda has its eyes on is Gravina in the southern Italian region of Puglia Its population is 40,000 and is located in the Alta Murgia national park Both destinations also share similarities in their gastronomic wealth Councillor Jesús Vázquez recently signed an agreement of intentions with Gravina mayor Fedele Lagreca The two pointed out the many common denominators "that bring them [the towns] together despite their distance such as the appearance of their two bridges cheeses and wines and an economy very focused on agricultural and livestock production," they said The Italian town has also shown great interest in learning about Ronda's tourism development model as it plans to increase its profile among visitors "The intention is to have continuous contact with the professionals of the municipal company Turismo de Ronda Gravina has 42,520 inhabitants and is located in the province of Bari Its economy is based on agri-food production the manufacture of furniture and armchairs A Gravina delegation is expected to visit Ronda in the near future Comentar es una ventaja exclusiva para registrados Mission Statement: to assist the integration of foreign residents living in Spain and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain Gravina is a small clone of Ronda which is located in Puglia The similarity between the two towns is hard to believe and for the magazine Viajar they “could well be twins” because of their similar characteristics “At first glance it is difficult to find more than 5 differences” Gravina and Ronda share more than just their majestic bridge Geographically there are also similarities While Ronda remains stately on the plateau that cuts the gorge of the Guadalevín river Gravina also has a similar gorge eroded by the Gravina stream Ronda Town Hall has signed with the Comune of Gravina a protocol of intentions to start a twinning procedure between the two towns due to the many similarities they have in historical The mayors of both towns highlighted all the things that unite the two municipalities and therefore bring them closer and an economy very focused on agriculture and livestock production Above all, the people in charge of Gravina are very interested in learning about Ronda’s tourist management which has made it one of the most visited cities in Andalucia Although the Italian town has great potential in terms of its heritage and historical resources, the promotion of its tourism is underdeveloped. For this reason, they intend to maintain regular contact with those responsible for Turismo Ronda with the aim of learning more about the activity and the projects it develops The signing of this agreement took place during the San Giorgio Fair livestock and gastronomic event very similar to the one that takes place in Ronda during May Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain by delivering news with a social conscience we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP) Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall) All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE Download our media pack in either English or Spanish Get important news about your town as it happens Get the top stories from across our network Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from daily updates We are thrilled to announce that Cafe Silvium has been named Best Italian Restaurant in Fairfield County in the 2024 Daily Voice Readers' Choice Awards Your 2024 Fairfield County Readers' Choice winner for Best Italian Restaurant: Cafe Silvium.  The 2024 Daily Voice Readers' Choice contest to name the Best of the Best in Fairfield County began with reader nominations in October and ended with a voting period for finalists in 80+ categories in December brothers Nick and Vincenzo Petrafesa established Cafe Silvium in 2001 bringing the rich culinary traditions of their hometown family-friendly environment where guests can savor hearty The eatery is at 371 Shippan Avenue in Stamford. Check out Cafe Silvium for more information A new James Bond movie is being filmed in Matera “No Time to Die,” the 25th installment of the 007 franchise began filming in August with nothing less than a breakneck car chase around the southern city Daniel Craig will play Bond for the   fifth time and is also in Matera for the shoot that will reportedly bring the scenic city an estimated €12 million and some 400 jobs not to mention the tourist boost after the film’s release in April 2020 Matera’s grand cathedral and ancient UNESCO-listed cave houses will be featured in the film along with Gravina di Puglia in the province of Bari a town famous for its dramatic two-level Roman bridge spanning a ravine Onlookers had the chance to witness the spy’s iconic silver Aston Martin DB5 in fast pursuit of another vehicle on the streets of Matera Sono iniziate lo scorso mese di agosto a Matera alcune riprese di “No Time To Die” il nuovo film di James Bond ed il 25° della fortunata serie dell’agente 007 Il primo ciak ha filmato un mozzafiato  inseguimento con motori rombanti e moto che volano in aria e salgono su per rampe di scale nella cornice dei famosi Sassi Il ruolo della spia più affascinante del cinema è affidato per la quinta volta a Daniel Craig a Matera per prendere parte alle riprese che porteranno 12 milioni di euro nelle casse del Comune e creeranno circa 400 posti di lavoro Il film uscirà ad aprile 2020 e sarà un’ottima pubblicità per la città lucana La sua Cattedrale e  le antiche case rupestri saranno presenti nel film insieme a Gravina di Puglia in provincia di Bari una città famosa per il suo drammatico ponte romano a due livelli che attraversa un burrone ha potuto ammirare la iconica Aston Martin DB5 d’argento della spia alla ricerca di un altro veicolo per le strade di Matera Discover all our subscription plans and become a member Homes and Property | Home Page The bodies of two boys believed to have been murdered by their father have been found at the bottom of a 60ft well are thought to have survived being thrown into the well before suffering a "slow and terrible death" They were found curled up in the foetal position Two bodies found decomposing in a well are believed to be theirs The bodies were discovered by chance after another boy fell into the well while playing football nearby Firemen were called to rescue the trapped 13-year-old on Monday night at Gravina in Puglia near Bari they discovered the remains of Francesco Pappalardi Their father Filippo has been in custody since November waits for the police near the site where the bodies were found The brothers were last seen playing in the street outside their home in Gravina Last night their mother Rosa was being comforted by relatives and friends she said at the spot: "It's them - I know it's them "A year ago I had a dream that they were down a well but I never thought they would be this close Emergency services were called to the well after a boy named only as Michele fell into the well while playing football with friends It took two hours for firemen to rescue him They discovered the boys after they went back down the well to shore it up and make it safe The remains of the boys had fragments of clothing which were similar to the items worn by the two brothers when they disappeared Italian Carabinieri and police stand guard in front of the house where the bodies were found Bari's police chief Vincenzo Maria Speranza said: "What we need to establish now is did they fall down the well were they pushed down there or were they dumped there already dead "In order to do that we will need to carry out extensive tests "If it had not been for the boy falling down the well they would never have been found." The bodies were not at the foot of the well but at the sides "We think that these two tragic boys were alive when they were thrown into the well," said one officer They are not close together as you would expect if they were thrown in together "But also most importantly and more tragic is that they were found curled up in a foetal position "That suggests it is very likely that they were both alive for a while in the well before they died." An Italian police man inspects a deserted house where firemen found the two bodies 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' New visa crackdown as Home Office plans to restrict applications from nationalities most likely to overstay New visa crackdown as Home Office plans to restrict applications Apulia hosting on average 70 productions every year takes hold of the cinematographic industry in Italy Right now there are loads of films and TV series active in the region while the first “clap” for the highly anticipated Bond 25 will take place in August 2019 is in Salento for the shooting of Si vive una volta sola with the support of Apulia Film Commission and Apulia Region tells the story of four doctors who are very competent in the operating room but not as reliable in their private lives the legendary actress Sophia Loren is now in Bari on the set of La vita davanti a sé directed by her son Edoardo Ponti based on the novel The Life Before Us by Romain Garyi Giovanni e Giacomo have chosen Apulia for their comeback on set directed by Massimo Venier and produced by Agidi with the support of Apulia Film Commission The Italian-French production is directed by Gianluca and Massimiliano De Serio and produced by La Sarraz Pictures with the contribution of the MiBAC and with the support of Creative Europe and Apulia Film Commission shooting is in progress for the new TV series Il commissario Ricciardi starring Lino Guanciale in the role of the police commissioner Acaya and San Vito dei Normanni to tell the story of a small town where the police station has become unnecessary since nobody has committed a crime in years MIA | Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo | C/O APA | Via Sabotino, 2/a 00195 Rome — info@miamarket.it — Privacy Policy Giovanni D’Ecclesiis was born in the early '80s in Gravina in Puglia When the time came to choose his future after middle school Giovanni explored various higher education institutions as soon as he stepped into the cooking classroom of the hotel school he realized that it was his natural habitat and decided to become a chef Giovanni attended the institute in Matera and began his first work experiences as a student He started as a commis in the seasonal hotels of Cervia then moved to the "Relais Villa San Paolo" in San Gimignano where he learned a lot and was granted opportunities to work in increasingly prestigious restaurants he had his first MICHELIN-Star experience at "I Salotti" at Villa Il Patriarca where young D’Ecclesiis realized he wanted to pursue high-level training through work the following year he moved to the Relais & Châteaux restaurant "La Sala dei Grappoli," One MICHELIN Star under the wise guidance of chef Massimiliano Blasone with consulting from Heinz Beck at the "The Lanesborough" hotel at the "Apsley's" restaurant which received a MICHELIN Star (later lost) in 2010 But his thirst for knowledge led him to move again and began a 4-year journey at "Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco," a luxury hotel where Giovanni trained in "Leadership Relationship" and served as head of service both at the "Campo del Drago" restaurant and "La Canonica." This experience was followed by shorter experiences: in 2016 at "Belmond Villa San Michele," Giovanni served as the first sous chef where in addition to learning to manage a large brigade of 16 cooks he devoted himself to volunteer work with the environmental protection association "Angeli del Bello." he moved to the "Relais La Suvera," now closed and then to the "Ristorante Gallo Nero" in Siena a turning point occurred when Giovanni became a private chef for the Luxus Group thus having the opportunity to experiment and create dishes to high standards The lengthy training and various experiences accumulated allowed D’Ecclesiis to become an executive chef at the "Il Fogliano Hotel New Life" in Latina Here he manages the menus of 4 restaurants and a brigade of 22 cooks At the restaurant "Il Vistamare," the hotel's gourmet venue Giovanni transforms excellent local raw materials into refined creations with Mediterranean flavors in addition to creating a unique experience for his customers of regaining the MICHELIN Star lost by the restaurant in 2019 Giovanni daily expresses his passion and desire to succeed Do you want to discover the latest news and recipes of the most renowned chefs and restaurants in the world La nostra società utilizza inoltre cookie funzionali per registrare informazioni sulle scelte dell’utente e per consentire una personalizzazione del Sito; ad esempio Questi cookie possono essere installati dalla nostra società o da Terze parti In caso di disabilitazione di questi cookie la qualità e l’esperienza di navigazione potrebbe non essere soddisfacente Questi cookie sono installati da social media per consentire la condivisione dei contenuti del presente Sito Essi sono in grado di monitorare la navigazione compiuta anche in altri siti e creano un profilo dell’utente sulla base dei suoi interessi Ciò potrebbe avere un impatto sul contenuto e messaggi visualizzati sugli altri siti visitati non sarà possibile utilizzare o visualizzare questi strumenti di condivisione per l’installazione e l’uso di tali cookie occorre il consenso dell’utente Per maggiori informazioni consulta la pagna cookies policy 2012 at 7:34 pm ETStamford Patch and found a restaurant that features dishes from the southern Italian town of Gravina Di Puglia to be their choice for the best in town:  The Shippan Avenue restaurant claimed 18 percent of Stamford's 109 votes weekly poll include  (15 percent) and (7 percent) And Stamford Patch readers were sure to point out the restaurants we left off as well: : How could you possibly leave off Columbus Park on this list We and many of our Darien neighbors cross the line just for their food Here's some more information about Café Silvium: The menu includes everything from the usual (chicken salads) to off-the-beaten-path delicacies such as venison Stamford Patch is looking for the "Readers' Choice: Best Preschool." The voting begins Monday morning Editor's Note: An Internet poll is not the most ideal vote-collection system in the world That's why we always strive to be 100 percent clear with our readers at Patch that this is not in any way a scientific poll Our readers' choice features are designed to be a fun and completely friendly expression of our collective passion for great food It's also a fantastic way for small and medium business owners — the lifeblood of our local economy — to show how much they appreciate their customers in communicating back to readers who among the group of businesses may rise to the top in readers' minds.And even if one business mobilizes more "votes" over another everyone comes away with a lot of visibility our corner of the web now has a great deal more information about local businesses so if anyone wants to learn more about how they can interact with their customers on Patch or have any suggestions for future readers' choice features don't hesitate to reach out to your local editor or Regional Editor Michael Dinan at michaeld@patch.com Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. 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Join our VIP Club for exclusive giveaways and members only events When it comes to postcard perfect – or #panorama perfect – holiday destinations the vast region encompassing the heel of Italy’s well-trod boot from its ankle to its stiletto tip along which is strung a sequence of small towns each more endearing than the last Long the province of summer holidays for well sunned and well fed Italians who’ve made generous use of its turquoise beaches abundant fresh seafood and embrace of a dolce vita ethos Puglia is proving just as popular a destination in the winter months when though its too cold to swim and idle away days by the Adriatic and Ionian seas the lack of beach centric distractions (and tourists) open up the region’s inland Raised in this dynamic region is publisher turned debut author Elisabetta Minervini who was born in the medieval port city Molfetta near the capital of Bari and who has since transplanted her love for the Puglian lifestyle and its vibrant cuisine to her new home in London Mammissima: Family Cooking from a Modern Italian Mamma (out now) Minervini – a mother of two with her own business Alma Books – espouses the virtues of an approach to cooking that privileges speed and simplicity over house spent slaving above the stove Puglian cuisine enjoys a similar no nonsense approach Think the core elements of Italian cuisine amplified by the region’s bountiful produce: mussels basil and parsley play off against the region’s special white truffle of Corigliano d’Otranto widely known as the Florence of the South and the capital of Salento; to the Gargano prominatory with its breathtaking beaches and national park in the north and the southernmost point of Santa Maria di Leuca the Puglian region is vast and various and sure to induce an appetite as wide-ranging as the land Minervini provides us with a culinary roadmap to four days spent in her beloved Puglia region Mammissima: Family Cooking from a Modern Italian Mamma A round-up of various-EU sponsored Comenius projects and related overseas meetings in which local schools have taken part with the help of funding allocated by the Maltese EU Programmes Agency under the Lifelong Learning programme A group of teachers and students from St Benedict College Boys' Secondary School recently attended a Comenius project meeting in Gravina di Puglia is entitled 'Endemic and Indigenous Species and their Protection' The other partners involved in the project are Cyprus and Italy the students prepared Powerpoint presentations about the protec-tion of endemic and indigenous plants and animals This work was presented by the students themselves during a visit to San Giovanni Bosco School in Gravina di Puglia the group visited the old part of the city with its caves dating back thousands of years numerous churches and a museum about the history of Gravina the remains of numerous homes built in rock The group also met the Bishop Mario Paciello of Gravina who came to the school during one of the project meetings and gave the group a short welcome speech The Maltese representatives at the meeting were teachers Kirsty Callus and Mark Micallef As part of the continuation of the Comenius Project on 'Our European News Paper' three students from Rabat Girls' Secondary recently went to Prerov in the Czech Republic during the morning attended lessons with Czech students their teacher and assistant head participated in meetings concerning the planning of the following issue of the newspaper and of the next meeting which is to be held in Malta on October 16 The Maltese delegation had the Comenius Museum in Prerov as well as the Roznov Walachian village with the border of Slovakia St Monica School Birkirkara has been involved in various on-going activities connected with the Comenius project 'Walking Together Through Europe' which is being co-ordinated by St Monica School is to encourage a healthier lifestyle by organising country walks These walks also provide an opportunity to learn about our country's historical and natural heritage A group of students walked from the pebbly beach past the battery built by the knights and uphill towards the sand dunes where they could enjoy the views of the island of St Paul Another group of students recently went on a long walk at Il-Majjistral Nature and History Park in Mellieħa gave the students an informative guided tour describing interesting facts about the flora and fauna found in this area the students had the opportunity to visit the recently restored St Agatha's Tower A smaller group of teachers - Rosette Caruana and Magdalen Cucciardi - and students - Martina Ebejer Michaela Abela and Annalise Zammit - have also been on a project meeting to Rome where they were joined by teachers and students from Italy The host school organised walks as well as a boat trip on the Tevere River and a theatrical performance for the teachers by the visiting and host students at Alessandra's laboratory The sixth Comenius meeting of the project 'The World Watched by Children' was held recently in Ancona Members from the seven countries participating in this project - Bulgaria The Maltese participants were staff members of Theresa Nuzzo School All partners exchanged material and crafts made by the students The topic was 'recycled materials' and talks on recycyling were held in every country The next and final meeting will be held in Greece please register for free or log in to your account Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker