Enjoy a Street Food Tour to taste local specialties and learn something about the typical gastronomy of Puglia. And if you get the opportunity to do a tasting of the local olive oils, cheeses or wines, be sure to do it! A stay at a Masseria is so much more than just accommodation, with most offering tours of their land and the working farms, tastings of their products including Puglia olive oil, wines and cheeses, and even home-cooked dinners enjoyed alongside your hosts and other guests. The ideal place to spend holiday as it is strategically located in between the two coasts, being within easy reach both of the long sandy rocky shores of the Adriatic Sea to the North, and of the crystalline waters of the Ionian Sea to the South. Bari is the capital of the region of Puglia and is situated on the Adriatic Sea. The park is a protected area because it's home to a variety of unique flora and fauna. It is one of the most important Italian locations for seaside tourism, thanks to its many kilometers of sandy beaches. Dream about Maldives in Pescoluse (Lecce), 15. Top places to see in Puglia include Castel del Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the unique conical houses found in the area around Alberobello. Still open and in business today, it operates in the old district located in the old town. Bari has a thriving street food scene, but to find the best spots youll need a guide. Youll find white sand, crystal-clear water, and the perfect environment for families with kids. The Grotta di Castellana - Castellana caves are the largest ever explored in Italy and is one of the best things to do in Puglia with kids. Coastal Polignano a Mare is most famous for the picturesque Cala Porto, a small pebble beach with crystal clear emerald waters hidden gracefully below the citys limestone cliffs and whitewashed houses. Plus dont forget to visit the citys unusual sunken Roman Amphitheater, which still hosts a series of concerts, shows, opera, plays and ballets. Apart from the town itself and its 15th-century cathedral, Ostuni is known for the local DOC Collina di Brindisi olive oil, which is sold in various strengths (delicate, medium or strong) by numerous producers around town. The Gargano promontory is also known as the spur of the Italian boot, it extends into the eastern part of Puglia and is surrounded by the Adriatic Sea. Washington is New England's tallest mountain. You can have a walk in the city center and discover many small craft shops or places selling typical products or local food. When in Puglia, eat late! Youll have the chance to slowly explore the trails and see local flora and fauna while meeting lovely animals like horses. Riserva Naturale Le Cesine is one of the best-preserved wetlands of Southern Italy. With a half-day boat tour, you can visit amazing spots like Lovers Cave, Palombara Cave, Blue Cave, Zinzulusa Cave and Romanelli Cave. Here youll have the chance to admire steep drops over a crystal-clear sea, rock formations, green Mediterranean vegetation, and little hidden bays. Grotte di Castellana can be visited on a guided tour down a 3km long pathway with the correct safety equipment. Bonus: Primitivo Puglia has recently become available in some UK supermarkets. If you like architecture and history, dont miss to visit Lecce. Every trip to Italy is unique, build it the way you like it, you'll be spoilt for choice. Entirely white city of Cisternino embraces a feeling of regional accent. Monti Dauni, ancient stories and marvellous villages, Gargano, stretches of salt water, unique views and a UNESCO World Heritage forest, From Bisceglie to Monopoli, historical boats and valuable archaeological sites, Murgia and Gravina, the charm of the hinterland, Salento, unparalleled historical and cultural heritage, Apulia Fuori Rotta, 5 unusual stops for a surprising itinerary. Polignano a Mare is one of the more convenient destinations in Puglia to get to by public transport, with its own train station which connects the town directly with several larger cities on the east coast including Bari, Monopoli, Ostuni and Brindisi. From the ear-shaped orecchiette pasta, which is so popular that theres an entire street in Bari dedicated to the making of it, to drool-worthy focaccia and some of the freshest and most delicious vegetables youll ever taste, Puglia has its own unique cuisine which is so much more than the typical pizza and pasta tourists often generalise to the whole of Italy. This is one of the newer villas in the Bookings For You Puglia collection and is managed by the company's local partner agent, Raro Villas. The school houses its own souvenir shop which is open daily, you can see the masters as they work the clay. For kids walking in the narrow streets of Alberobello is like entering a fairy tale and they will literally be amazed. Baia dei Turchi. As home to Puglias other international airport, its a good place to start or end your trip. Yes, bustling Martina Franca has a stunning Ducal Palace and a winding old-town but it was the cheese, cured meats, coffees and cakes that left a lasting impression on me. Poetically titled the pearl of Pugliayoull quickly agree with the name when you explore Trani. who offer charming and spacious private trullis right in the historic center. While public transport is available, it can be unpredictable, not every town and attraction is well connected, and some of them arent accessible at all. Its worth a stop if youre travelling south from Trani to Altamura. But Cisternino has another quirky offering the towns macelleria, meat markets. While its possible to taste Primitivo throughout Puglia, I did a great, informal tasting in Enoteca Tholos in Alberobello. The dunes are up to 12 meters and for a natural barrier between the beach and the road. I also took a boat trip while I was there, which is a wonderful way to spend half a day, enjoying the sea breeze. Compare Puglia Unique Experiences - Get the best deals on Puglia Unique Experiences, activities tickets, sightseeing, Puglia day trips and reviews. Discover Puglia, in southern Italy, the region in the 'heel' of Italy's boot with stunning coastlines, hilltop villages and amazing food. Grotte di Castellana is one of Puglias most amazing natural wonders and very different from the historic port towns and beautiful sandy Puglia beaches the region is more often associated with. Then I set off t0 explore Lecce's historic center. This Baroque Architecture and Underground Walking Tour will take you around the highlights. You'll find a lungomare in most Italian seaside cities and Bari is no different. If you want to taste the local delights, book this Olive Oil Tasting Tour in Ostuni. The system is made up of a series of large canyons and caves filled with incredible formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, concretions and fossils. This way, youll be able to reproduce your favorite Italian dishes at home after your trip! Ranked #13 of 130 Restaurants in Alberobello. Topics are varied, covering everything from wine-tasting to market shopping, the Mediterranean diet, southern Italys Jewish cuisine, olive oil making and the art of the perfect tomato sauce. The striped exterior of Santa Maria del Casale church looks like its been picked up from Sienna and dropped in Brindisi. From a distance, it looks like an Arab town and its skyline is really picturesque. In December and early January, there are also traditional crafts exhibitions, food events, Christmas lights in the streets, and a huge Christmas tree. How to do it: Book your overnight stay with Trulli e Puglia who offer charming and spacious private trullis right in the historic center. This material is used to produce both artistic and common objects. 798 Reviews. Two things you have to do in Polignano a Mare are witnessing a sunrise and sunset over the sea. . This area extends South of the Murge plateau and includes the towns of Alberobello, Locorotondo, Martina Franca, Ceglie Messapica, Cisternino and Fasano. Swim into the natural pool of the Poetry Cave (Lecce), 11. Torre Sant'Andrea. Amazon, Bluehost and Prosecco tours) that provide a commission to me if you buy through these links. Whats especially striking about Castel del Monte is its octagonal shape with each side punctuated by a tower. An off-the-beaten-track trip is what is needed to bid farewell to monotony, break out of your routine and venture into the hidden heart of the Bel Paese. Book this Polignano a Mare Boat Cave Tour with Aperitif. Also make sure you visit the Ducal Palace with its colourful mural interior. How to do it: Be sure to pre-book your table in advance online as it books quickly. Nice town as well, i suggest to visit the castle too. Things to do in Puglia Explore the Trulli of Alberobello The town of Alberobello is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During your stay in Puglia, dont limit your visit to the most popular destinations! In some towns you can even combine visits to cathedrals and castles with dips in the sea just steps from the historic centre. It is also the place where Adriatic and Ionian seas meet. We are a real community of friends. Castellana Caves - La Grotta di Castellana. A very appreciated tour is held in Bari and it will let you taste locals favorite products while visiting the city center at the same time. Whether youre staying in nearby Masseria Torre Coccaro or youre simply in the area, the old town of Fasano and nearby coastal Savelttri are worth a quick stop. Trulli have been part of UNESCOs World Heritage List since 1996. Boat tours and day trips run from San Domino to San Nicola year-round, but youll need to arrange your own boat to reach Capraia. Its a grand old town, with broad boulevards, great shopping and a well-regarded university that supports a healthy supply of bars and restaurants. For more information visit here. For more information visit here. Hampton Inn Haverhill. Its also a city with two very different sides; the modern, The Murat district is the newer part of the city which is home to the major shopping and entertainment district, as well as several elegant 19th century palaces such as the, But the most fascinating part of Bari has to be the maze-like old town of Barivecchia which stretches along the Adriatic Sea, the longest seafront in all of Italy, with many important historic buildings including the grand, Coastal Polignano a Mare is most famous for the picturesque. A stop at Monte Cornacchia, the highest peak in Apulia, is not to be missed. These cooking classes are often held in masserie, that is local farmhouses in the countryside. Built without mortar, the houses mostly date from the 14th century, but the building technique has been used since ancient times. Charming whitewashed hilltop town attracts its visitors with beautiful and yet undiscovered old town district and especially central piazza that fills up with people in restaurants and cafes. The town is filled with historic structures, churches, etc. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Nowadays, this former monastery hosts a branch of Salento University (History, Society and Human Studies), but its still an aesthetically beautiful place with lots of pieces of art. We then proceed to Sant'Agata di Puglia, with a breathtaking view of the Tavoliere and its many quaint historic alleys. These links are signposted with an asterisk. In Trani, youll find a focus on fresh, local products and the benefits can be found in every bite. It protects the house from evil and is an essential part of every family. For more information visit, Discover all the secrets of authentic handmade pasta with a dedicated chef just for you. 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