We have traveled Italy before. However, we were so rushed we didn't get to see and explore other areas. Not many tours visit the area of Puglia. I find the Trulli home's very interesting when I see pictures. However, is it worth going over there, or is it just a drive by?
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
If you type Puglia in the search window you will see that lots of people really love it. You might also try the Puglia Tripadvisor forum Happy travels.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1003 posts
in short, YES YES YES!!! The trulli in and around Alberobello are not worth much more than a short stop (IMO) but the adorable towns of Ostuni, Trani, Locorotondo, Polignano a Mare, the wonderful and I do mean wonderful Lecce, and then over in Basilicata, Matera - and more - are all amazing. Then you have natural wonders like Castellana Grotte, the adriatic coast, the amazing wines and olive oils and fruits, etc. You also have lots of other important historical stuff like all the castles that are all over the region. I spent about 8 days in Puglia a couple of years ago and it stands among my favorite travel memories and I can't wait to get back someday. It's very untouristy, feels very authentic, is inexpensive (by comparison), the food is other-worldly (you've never tasted mozzarella til it came right out of the hot water in a cheese shop or visited a restaurant's garden after your meal to see where it all was grown), and the people are among the nicest I've encountered. I took a private tour with Experience Puglia and it made the region feel all that more magical. I can't recommend Puglia highly enough (but selfishly, I kind of hope RS never includes it in his books :))
Posted by
ny/nj
36 posts
I'm just writing to say that I have to stop reading posts that don't relate to my itinerary. I read this and now I want to change everything and go to Puglia!
Posted by
Asnieres sur Vegre, France
127 posts
If you are going to Puglia it would be a nicer trip if you had a car and we find driving in Italy easy. It is cheaper to rent from the U.S. than after you are there. I agree that Alberobello is good for day, but be sure to go to the Gargano peninsula and try to see the church in Monte San Angelo. I also agree about going to Basilicata. The drive from Sapri to just south of Maretea is one of the most beautiful in Italy; beyond that, the coast is too overbuilt with shoddy hotels.
Posted by
Paris
9721 posts
Good point Emma!
Posted by
Centennial, CO, US
2134 posts
We were in Puglia for about 3 weeks last October, and agree that it is well worth while. One good way to experience it is to use a masseria as your base and take day trips. A masseria is a sort of agriturismo ... an often luxurious farm, sometimes with swimming pool. There are lots of these in Puglia, both in the area near the Trulli villages and further south on the Salento peninsula. In nearby Basilicata is Matera, another must-see experience if you're in this area. Google it, and some of our other favorite places: Alberobello, Gallipoli, Trani. Puglia is such an amazingly different experience from the Italy that tourists usually see. In three weeks, we only met 6 other Americans (four of them one day at the masseria). Brush up on your Italian!
Posted by
Centennial, CO, USA
1883 posts
My husband and I will be touring Puglia on the two seats of our tandem bike May 13! Talk about a great way to see a region of Italy....