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Le Puglie, the Italian name of this region, is in the plural form and, in fact, this is a place that conceals many souls. The “heel” of the boot, Apulia , as it is known in English, is,an enchanting region that lays amid nature, history, tradition, gusto and spirituality, to be visited all year round.
Sea lovers can take their pick, choosing between the cliffs of Otranto and Santa Maria di Leuca, the meeting point between the Ionian and the Adriatic Sea, or Gallipoli, the “Gem of Salento” and the Gargano, the “Spur of Italy”, jutting out to the clear sea water that guards the beautiful Tremiti Islands.
Nature is again the protagonist in the Murgia National Park and the Gargano National Park with its wild Umbrian forest, its salt pans and lakes, the deep ravines of Laterza and the wide dolines of Altamura, which distinguish the hinterland of the region with their charming sceneries. To those who want to plunge into history, Apulia offers a wide range of places that tell the ancient origins of this land: from prehistory to Magna Graecia, from the Imperial Age to the Renaissance and the baroque splendour of Lecce and the Salento area.
The provinces of the region are: Bari (regional capital), Brindisi, Foggia, Lecce and Taranto.
The most devout, but not only them, cannot miss a trip to San Giovanni Rotondo (Foggia), to visit the places of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, the monastery of Capuchin friars of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where Padre Pio died in 1968, and the new church designed by great architect Renzo Piano, open since 2004.
For a full immersion in history and tradition, Alberobello is a must. The town of the “trulli”, ancient and peculiar stone houses with a conical roof, constructed without mortar, is so unique that it has been inscribed on the World Heritage list by Unesco. Besides the trulli, Apulia boasts another Unesco site in the town of Andria, Castel del Monte, an unrivalled masterpiece of medieval architecture commissioned by Frederick II of Hohenstaufen in the thirteenth century. It is interesting to know that number 8 is the motif of the castle: the sides of the castle plan are 8, the rooms of the ground floor and the first floor are 8 are they form an octagon, and the grand octagonal-planned towers are 8, too.
San Domino, San Nicola, Capraia, Cretaccio and Pianosa are the five islands of the Tremiti Archipelago, a tiny paradise where history and nature merge perfectly and offer a wonderful landscape to explore.
The two seas of Apulia offer incredible opportunities to those who prefer a sports holiday amid nature. There are plenty of opportunities for those who love the excitement of exploring the charming and mysterious environment of the sea. The crystal-clear waters of the Tremiti Islands create a wonderful view, animated by coves, caves and deep seabeds, coloured by a lush vegetation and populated by many species of fish. Santa Maria di Leuca, between the Ionian and the Adriatic Sea, is another unmissable destination. In some tracts, the seabeds are up to 90 meters deep and the life forms that colonize this part of the sea create a fascinating interplay of colours.
Those who choose to have fun staying above water can windsurf or kitesurf in many places, not only during the summer.
Still, Puglia is not just about sea. If you want to discover the wonders of nature in this territory, or get to know its history and traditions choosing a different means of transport, a bike tour is just perfect. It is not necessary to be a skilled cyclist to set out on a journey on two wheels; it only takes the wish to enjoy a different experience. There are many itineraries to choose from: amid nature, pedalling along the paths of the Gargano or the Murgia National Parks, in history, discovering the vestiges that witness the past of this land, or entering the hinterland to find out a life-style that is far from the frenzy of big cities.
Then, many patronal festivals, fairs and historical celebrations are held all year round in every part of Apulia: the Carnival of Putignano, San Nicola Festival in Bari and the Disfida di Barletta (Challenge of Barletta) are the most famous.
Apulian cuisine has always been defined as “poor” for its simple ingredients; yet, it satisfies any palate. It has three strengths: durum wheat, vegetables and olive oil, combined with meat and fish creating original dishes with genuine and unmistakable flavours.
The hallmark of regional cooking is home-made pasta made with durum wheat or a mix of durum and soft wheat: from recchietelle (also called orecchiette) that, with its many versions, is a symbol of the region, to the famous li strascinati, that once were the main course for the poorest families and are now ordered and served in the best restaurants. Then mignuicchie, fenescecchie, troccoli, sagne ‘ncannuate, cicatadde and other original types of pasta that are still made following old traditions. Particularly, the combination between pasta and vegetables is unexpectedly surprising, like strascinati with cabbage and fried bacon or spaghetti with string beans, tomatoes and cacioricotta cheese.
In fact, Puglia is a big scented vegetable garden, where vegetables have unparalleled colours and flavours. When combined with home-made pasta or the fresh fish of the sea or even good meat, they give the palate unforgettable sensations.
This region, with its 800 km of coast and two seas, offers a great variety of fish specialties for those who appreciate it: raw, marinated, poached in delicious fish soups and even with cheese.
Those who have a sweet tooth will find lots of temptations with dried fruit, honey, mulled wine, candied fruit and chocolate. Among the quality products, awarded with the protection of quality marks PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) or RGI (Regional Geographical Indication), are Altamura bread, famous for its crispness, sweet and juicy Clementine Tangerines from the Gulf of Taranto, the Bella della Daunia, a type of olive cultivated in the area of Foggia since 1400, and the famous wines and extra-virgin olive oils all with their very own characteristics according to their production area.
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The coast of Taranto spans over 140 km, with a diverse and beautiful natural landscape: wild areas with sheer cliffs, long stretches of fine sandy beaches that blend with the deep blue sea and the green maquis, in some places completely deserted, in others enlivened by ...
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Brindisi is known as the Gateway to the East since ancient times, when it became an important port for the Roman troops first, and later for the merchants of Venice. A port that even today, provides important tourist and commercial connections to and from countries overseas. The ...
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We are in company with Renzo Arbore, in the city once known as the Capitanata, and today know as Foggia. It is a city boasting remote roots (there are archeological finds dating back to Frederick II), but today it actually looks like a city of modern imprint. In addition to the possibility of ...
The Foresta Umbra is located in the heart of Gargano area, in Apulia region, between Vico, Vieste and Monte Sant'Angelo. It is called "Umbra" because it is "shady": the sun's rays find it a real struggle to penetrate the dense foliage of the ten woodland hectares. It is one of the largest ...
Cities that have known greatness over the course of history are aware that only archaeology can reveal the secrets of their identity. Taranto, the city on two seas, is still looking for evidence and concrete signs of its past greatness, which is slowly being acknowledged. The Martà-museum’s ...
Taranto, overlooking the Gulf of the Ionian Sea, is called “the city of two seas” because it is placed between the Mar Grande and Mar Piccolo. It is a city of nobly born. The Greek Taras was a metropolis, and when it passed to the Romans, with the name of Tarentum, became smaller. Its symbolic ...
The historical town centre of Peschici clusters on a promontory overhanging the sea. The town is a dedalus of lanes, small squares, stairways, narrow passages and whitewashed houses, typical of the architecture of the Puglian coast.
The splendid bay of Torre dell'Orso lies between the cliffs and a dense pinewood. In this area rich with freshwater, that gathers in the nearby Alimini Lakes, the vegetation is luxuriant and contrasts with the white rocks. A sixteenth-century watchtower gives the name to this well-known tourist ...
The Brindisi coast road passes through the reddish earth of the countryside and runs beside the sea. Along the road deserted beaches alternate with cliffs, a paradise for those who love the sea.
The high rocky coast of Capo di Leuca, rich in coves and grottoes, a paradise for divers, descends near Torre Vado, one of the numerous Saracen towers that stand on the coastline and give their names to the localities of the Ionic coast. From here the coastline slopes gently between fields and reed ...
