Every part of Italy I have visited has been amazing, Puglia is a hidden gem.
A region surrounded by the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, you are never more than 40 minutes from the water. The region’s economy is primarily dependent on agriculture. We visited in May of 2022, after visiting Turin for Eurovision.
I wish I could take credit for this trip being amazing, but our friends Brad and Tiffany planned the entire thing with the help of Paolo Maragliulo on Go Ask A Local. He curated a tour of the region for us to follow in our rented car or on bike.
We traveled into Lecce by train, from Turin, to stay at the luxurious Lu Leccio. Upon arrival, we enjoyed a snack and a cocktail on our private terrace overlooking the city. Walking around with a guide supplied by Paolo, we saw the remains of a Roman amphitheater, Baroque architecture, and a local theater undergoing restoration efforts.
The next day we drove down to Santa Maria Di Leuca. There we saw the lighthouse built in 1866 and the Santuario di Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae. Both are on a hill overlooking the town.
We then made our way up the Adriatic coast to take in the dramatic views of the coastline and enjoy the sea air. There are a number of restaurants and cafes with views in the towns along the coast. After the drive, we spent another night in Lecce.
The next morning we packed up to travel to Alberobello to see the Trulli. The conical roofs on the structures make it seem like you are walking around in a fairy village. From there we rode bikes to Martina Franca. We stayed in a vacation rental in the countryside. Brad and Tiff slept in the Trulli section of the house, and Greg and I stayed in a modern building.
We spent the next day in Cisternino, known as “The White City.” The whitewashed stone makes it gleam on the hillside above the valley of olive groves stretching out to the sea. Charming place with a baroque church, and adorable shops. Dinner and an olive oil tasing at a Masseria was a relaxing end to a busy day.
