A Trulli lovely holiday!
Situated in the south-eastern corner of the country, is the region of Apulia. This region offers a lot, from lovely beaches to impressive churches, sumptuous food as well as something a little different. So, this area should most definitely be on your radar!
Getting there is simple as there are direct flights from several cities in the UK to either Brindisi or Bari. I would suggest hiring a car whilst you are there & rather than staying in one place, explore several options to build your very own fly-drive itinerary.
There are plenty of places to stop on your journey, but Gallipoli on the west coast of the Salento Peninsular, is a good place to start. The old part of the town is made up of narrow streets. It has a small but good sand beach ideal for families, a few interesting churches worth exploring & a harbour area. You get to it via the newer part of the town which is connected by a 16th Century bridge. The town is becoming popular with the LGBTQ+ community & has even gained the nickname of “Gay-lipoli”.
If you venture along the coast just to the north or south, you’ll find some long sand beaches & plenty of facilities. The good thing with this part of Italy is that no matter where you are on the coast, you’ll find yourself a quiet spot to sunbathe (except of course in August, then you’ve got no chance).
The main cities of Lecce & Taranto are also worth spending a few hours exploring. They are full of historical monuments, imposing churches & the highlight for me are the gelaterias!
Ostuni, known for its whitewashed old town has a beautiful cathedral, the Duomo di Ostuni. With its elegant rose window & heavy oak door combines Gothic, Romanesque and Byzantine touches.
Heading north & inland you’ll discover the pretty village of Alberobello which is home to the picturesque Trulli. Trulli are traditional dry-stone huts with cone shaped rooves. They are specific to this region of Apulia & were constructed as storehouses or as homes for the local workers. The majority in the town have since been restored & turned into homes or shops. You can even stay in some as they have been converted into B&B’s.
Finally, I would suggest stopping in Monopoli for lunch. The town has that lived in feel but what’s nice about it is that it’s perfect for people watching. From the fishermen catching the day’s haul to the locals going about their business, it’s just one of those places where you can drink in the atmosphere. The town also has plenty to see & lots of historical points of interest but sitting back with a glass a wine, the sun on your bones & good company is certainly the best tonic I can recommend.
For recommendations on where to stay, give me a call to discuss on 01323 660 109 or email me at david.cook@travelcounsellors.com