Holidays to Puglia take you to the sun soaked heel of Italy which is said to be one of the most beautiful and captivating regions in the country. Puglia is abundant in stunning countryside, sandy beaches, historic cities and splendid locally grown produce for which this food-focused area is particularly famous. Perfect for those wanting to explore by car, the roads are mostly quiet and scenic and will take you to some beautiful villages, such as Locorotondo and Cisternino, which are recognised as two of Italy’s ‘most beautiful villages.’ For couples wanting to immerse themselves in the romantic Italian culture, holidays to Puglia are ideal, with the richness of ancient towns, quirky villages and extravagant architecture.
Through the countryside you’ll find clusters of trulli, the distinctive limestone houses peculiar to the area, as well as endless olive groves giving the area a classic Italian feel. Visit the UNESCO-listed town of Alberobello to see the biggest collection of trulli. Travel further south and visit the Salento peninsula, which is home to the baroque city of Lecce - dubbed the Florence of the South and well worth a visit for the Church of Santa Croce, an elaborate relation of its namesake in Florence.
Citalia knows Italy better than anyone else so we can help you enjoy your Puglia holidays like no other.
If you enjoy being active, take a guided bike tour of the Brindisi area and benefit from local knowledge of the area’s history, culture and the landscape while having the tour tailored to you and your interests. There really is no better way to experience the landscape than by bike and once you’re done and have worked up an appetite, you can sample some of the delightful treats the area has to offer.
Find the hidden gems with Citalia, including the Museo Faggiano, an astounding place which was once thought to be just a house. After excavation by the family to fix a pipe, two thousand years’ worth of history was discovered underneath; from the Romans to the Knights Templar. Underneath the house are tombs, cisterns, underground escape routes and Knights Templar symbols, truly unmissable for anyone interested in history.
Take a look at our hotel and flight combinations.
Discover more of Italy on a multi-centre holiday
Discover more of Italy on a multi-centre holiday
Puglia is one of the most captivating parts of Italy, meaning will not be short of things to do, explore and experience.
Build your holiday beyond your hotel and visit Ostuni, one of Italy’s most impressive hilltop towns. With excellent train links to Bari, Lecce and more it’s a must visit destination. The whitewashed town cascades down the hillside under the watchful eye of the 15th Century Duomo, which stands impressively at the top of the hill.
If you’re feeling adventurous, visit the Grottoes of Castellana where you can experience a natural wonder which will take your breath away. See the extraordinary stalactite and stalagmite formations as you take a tour through 3km of underground caves.
Flights to Puglia arrive into Bari (BRI) from London Gatwick and London Stansted or Brindisi (BDS) from London Gatwick, London Stansted and Manchester and take approximately 3 hours. Please call our Italy Experts in order to book flights to Brindisi.
Puglia’s history and location has helped to shape its cuisine, with dishes influenced by Greek, Spanish, Arabic and French cuisines and resulting in a reputation for delicious dishes which are unique to southern Italy.
For a dish that originated in the area, try panzarotto, a savoury pastry resembling a small calzone. Unlike calzone however, these little delights are fried rather than oven baked but they are just as filling. Common fillings include tomato, mozzarella, spinach, mushrooms, baby corn and ham, making these little turnovers a truly hearty snack and perfect for a picnic or to enjoy while wandering through the town.
For those venturing further south to Lecce and Salento, rustico leccese is a must try dish popular in the area. Made from rich puff pastry, these parcels are filled with béchamel sauce, tomato, mozzarella and pepper and are a real savoury treat. The pastries are commonly found as street food which is a big part of the area’s culture, but you can also find them in cafés where they are usually eaten as breakfast or a mid-morning snack.
To pre-book one of our specially selected excursions, please call our Italy Experts on 01293 762410*.
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The Foreign Commonwealth Office and the NHS have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk/. Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk For further information, please visit our "Travel Aware" information page at http://www.citalia.com/holidays/content/travel-aware. The advice can change so check regularly for updates.
