Picturesque Puglia - September 2020

During this uncertain time, our annual family holiday was not likely to be an item on the agenda. With this in mind, when an opportunity for a last minute break came up, we did not hesitate!

Completely guided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and Italy declared as a “safe” destination on the travel corridor, we were fortunate enough to escape for some September sunshine.

Travelling during a pandemic understandably requires careful planning and additional precautions; there were various protocols implemented at every stage of the journey, with a hope to combat the spread of infection effectively. For those wanting to put their minds at rest, travel insurance covering COVID-19 is imperative and can protect against the significant expenditure that may be accumulated in unfortunate circumstances.

Opting for a more private experience, a villa holiday to the Puglia region in Southern Italy was an enticing option.

Summer is definitely the most popular time to visit Italy. The weather can be very hot and museums and other attractions are swarming. September is an opportune time to visit, with temperatures becoming significantly more manageable. There’s a reason why Puglia is a region of the moment: the excellent food, exuberant architecture dotted in the South and the breath taking coastline all make this a charming location to explore. The Puglia region is much bigger than one might expect, but you’ll get both a wonderful and varied Italian experience here. The Italian holidaymakers have been frequenting this region for a long time, but it is only the savviest foreign travellers who place this region as a must-visit for a more authentic taste of Italy without the crowds. As a visitor, this dazzling region of Italy could keep you entertained for weeks, if not months, with a seemingly never-ending list of things to do. It’s filled with gorgeous towns with chalk-white houses, gentle olive grove landscapes, windy streets strewn with Vespas and Fiat 500s, a vast array of fabulous good beaches, food that will caress your taste buds, and even some ancient Roman history that’s almost casually thrown into the mix.

The roads linking Puglia’s main towns: Brindisi, Bari and Lecce, are good and renting a car for the trip gives one the freedom to explore the region at a leisurely pace and on a schedule that is tailored to you. Most visitors arrive in Puglia via one of its two international airports: Bari and Brindisi, and car hire from numerous international companies is available at both. Puglia offers something for everyone; it’s a case of hoping to fill your wish list on the first trip! Here is a list of must-visit places and top things to do to help plan your trip.

Lecce, known as the Florence of the South, with its Baroque buildings that garnish the city, is a spot you’ll want to spend a whole day or even a night. One can enjoy your traditional Italian coffee here, with a particular focus on almond milk iced coffee; there are also plenty of cool bars for both coffee and cocktails, as well as an abundance of fantastic restaurants on little streets.

Locorotondo is a charming little town. Admittedly parking does not come ease, however parking further afar and taking the short walk up the hill through to the old town will leave you presented with a magical maze of white streets, decorated with hanging flower baskets and outside restaurant tables.

Alberobello is adorned as a UNESCO world heritage site; this town is famed for The Trulli houses with their conical roofs and white-washed exteriors, each with their own individual appeal. Alberobello has the highest concentration of Trulli in this region.

Ostuni is known as the White City of Puglia. Ostuni gracefully emerges inland from the coast and the drive towards the white-washed exterior gives you some stunning viewpoints to admire it. Given the location of Ostuni and the number of things to do here, it would make quite an excellent base for exploring Puglia if staying on the coast is not for you. The historical centre is dreamy, a running theme in Puglia, and you’ll be blown away the second you step through an old medieval gate into the centre. A mix of Gothic, Byzantine and Roman elements are combined in the Cathedral, while the labyrinth of alleyways brings never-ending photo opportunities.

The best way to explore this magical region is by wandering aimlessly. Each corner and new street bring fascinating views, not to mention the excellent gelaterias tucked away in the winding alleys that are sure to tempt you.

I hope I’ve inspired you to head to this untouched region of Italy and explore the towns of Puglia. These are only some of the possibilities—pick a town at random and you’re likely to find fascinating history, beautiful architecture, friendly people, and delicious food!