A tale as old as time, a captivating charm, and a gateway into la dolce vita, let Puglia, Italy, whisk you away to a land that fills the hearts of those who get lost in the romance of an Italian escape.
Culturally rich with a tumultuous past, the heel of Italy is said to be one of the most beautiful and enchanting regions in the country. Known for its vast coastline, Puglia boasts whitewashed villages with pretty cobbled streets, and pristine sands that meet the clear blue of the Adriatic Sea on one side and the Ionian Sea on the other.
Fall in love with the hauntingly beautiful medieval towns as you meander down the ancient streets or relax to the sound of the waves as they fall on the shore. Olive trees as far as the eye can see makes Puglia famous for its olive oil production supplying around half of the country’s olive oil. This hidden gem really is a destination not to be missed.
The ‘Florence of the South’, Lecce is the epitome of splendour. With an array of architectural delights, this city is one to admire. Gaining its presence under Roman rule, it showcases a spectacular blend of culture and commerce. There are plenty of little shops hidden around every corner just waiting to be discovered.
Picture perfect Polignano a Mare is a sight to be cherished. Perfectly poised on a cliff overlooking the sea, the old town is rich in history. Take a visit to Cala Porto, the pristine white pebble beach that meets crystal clear waters facing the intense cliffs.
Whilst staying in Alberobello take a visit to the Trattoria Amatulli. This quaint and rustic family-run restaurant is located just behind the Trullo breakfast room for Trulli Soave. There are lots of tasty local dishes to try and all very reasonable prices too (the best steak I’ve ever tasted), a handy location for both visitors to the area and guests staying in the trulli houses of Alberobello.
8 day suggested trip
8 day suggested trip
Find the hidden gems of Puglia with Citalia, including the Museo Faggiano. This astounding place was once simply just a family home, but when they excavated it to fix a pipe, two thousand years’ worth of history was discovered underneath, from the Romans to the Knights Templar.
Today, you’ll be able to witness tombs, cisterns, underground escape routes, and rich symbology. If you’re interested in history, Museo Faggiano is not to be missed!
If you want to explore Italy by car, then Puglia is an ideal region to start.
The roads are mostly quiet and scenic, taking you through gorgeous landscapes and into pretty villages, such as Locorotondo and Cisternino, which are recognised as two of Italy’s ‘most beautiful villages.’
Only accessible by road, drive into the mountains to Vico del Gargano, known as the village of love due to a tiny narrow alley within the winding streets that nudges lovers to touch and perhaps even kiss!
For that truly rustic feel, stay in one of the region’s many masseria, fortified farmhouses filled with character.
Through the countryside you’ll find clusters of trulli, the distinctive limestone houses peculiar to the area, as well as the endless olive groves that give Puglia that classic Italian vibe.
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site town of Alberobello to see the biggest collection of trulli, which look like they come straight out of the pages of a fairytale.
Travel further south and visit the Salento peninsula, which is home to the Baroque city of Lecce. Dubbed the Florence of the South, Lecce is well worth a visit for the Church of Santa Croce, an elaborate relation of its namesake in Florence.
Discover the real Puglia while staying in one of our carefully selected hotels
Flights to Puglia arrive into Bari (BRI) from London Gatwick and London Stansted or Brindisi (BDS) from London Gatwick, London Stansted and Manchester (indirect) and take approximately 3 hours. Please call our Italy Experts in order to book flights to Brindisi.
At the current time, British citizens do not require a visa to visit Italy.
Whilst tipping isn’t embedded into Italian culture it is always appreciated as an acknowledgement of good service. Nowadays people generally round up a bill in a bar or cafe and leave 5-10% extra on a restaurant bill. Taxi bills are usually also rounded up.
On guided tours/excursions it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide.
On small group escorted tours, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation the driver and guide at the end of the tour.
The official language of Italy is Italian. English is widely spoken too, so getting by is easy.
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