Why come to Puglia?
Puglia is a region of southern Italy, kissed by the sun. There are monuments, churches in Apulian Romanesque and Baroque style, UNSCO sites such as Alberobello (Capital of the Trulli), Castel del Monte (the octagonal castle built by Frederick II of Swabia), Monte Sant’Angelo (famous for the sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo) and a few kilometers away in the Basilicata region is Matera (the city of stones and European Capital of Culture 2019).
What kind of holiday can you take in Puglia?
The tourist offers a wide range of choices: of particular value is the architectural and historical heritage, but also the naturalistic and landscape one, from the cradle to the sea, and food and wine and craftsmanship must not be neglected. But Puglia is also now a privileged location for many film and television productions.
What are the main cities to see?
The main cities are Bari, famous for the Basilica of San Nicola, the most revered saint both in the East and in the West, and the cathedral of San Sabino; Lecce, Apulian capital of the Baroque, defined as “the Florence of the south”; Trani for its cathedral on the sea; and Taranto, the city of the two seas.
There are medieval historic centers that have received national and international tourist awards, awarded by the “Touring club”, by the Anci (National Association of Italian Municipalities). These include Specchia, Bovino, Locorotondo and Cisternino. Then there are Ostuni, the famous white city ”, renowned for its whitewashed historic center; Polignano a Mare, the town that gave birth to Domenico Modugno “Mister volo”; Martina Franca a baroque town famous for the Valle d’Itria music festival; Grottaglie, famous for its unsurpassed potters; Manduria, for its primitivo; Otranto, for the cathedral with the Pantaleone mosaic; and Gallipoli, for its sea.
What are the main attractions?
Gastronomy? Gastronomy is an “Art”. The Mediterranean diet is a pillar of the Apulian cuisine. Extra virgin olive oil, wine and durum wheat are the symbols of Puglia. This art has been handed down from generation to generation: legumes, pasta, bread are the main elements of the Apulian cuisine. Dishes such as broad beans with chicory, orecchiette with turnips, focaccia and panzerotti, fresh fish, meat roasted in butchers’ wood ovens, are the best known examples.
But even sea lovers will not be disappointed. There are more than 800 km of coastline, and 90% is suitable for swimming. Numerous the Blue Flags, recognition assigned for the quality of water and services.
And let’s not forget the musical events recognized all over the world, such as the Notte della Taranta, the International Festival of the Itria Valley in Martina Franca, the Locus Festival in Locorotondo; historical processions such as the “Challenge of Barletta”, or the historical procession of Frederick II in Oria; the traditional rites of Holy Week in Taranto, Grottaglie, Gallipoli, Noicattaro and Francavilla Fontana; the patronal festivals in every town of the region at any time of the year, with bands, music and fireworks; finally, culinary festivals of all kinds.
There is no shortage of attractions for the little ones: water parks, sports facilities, and above all the Zoo Safari of Fasano with more than a thousand animals.
For history lovers, there are areas in Puglia where centuries and centuries ago the populations exploited the ravines and left indelible marks, such as churches and cave houses carved into natural cavities or built in the rock, many of which can be visited. There are some valuable archaeological sites such as those of Taranto, Fasano with the excavations of Egnazia and Adelfia, near Bari.
There are also numerous nature reserves such as the Gargano National Park, the Alta Murgia National Park, the Salina di Margherita di Savoia nature reserve, the Dune Coastal Regional Natural Park from Torre Canne to Torre San Leonardo, the Torre Guaceto nature reserve. and the protected oasis of the Alimini lakes.
How can you reach Puglia?
It can be reached via ports and airports, by trains and by motorway.
Why sleep in Valle d’Itria?
The landscape and the villages of the Itria Valley are unique in the world. It is exciting to sleep inside a troll. Its location is ideal, in the center between the main airports of Bari and Brindisi and the sea is easily accessible.