Puglia Fuori Rotta, 5 unusual stops for a surprising itinerary

The journey begins in the north, in the Monti Dauni, characterised by wild nature, tiny villages and ancient fortresses that tell of a glorious past.
The first stop is the smallest town in Puglia, Celle San Vito: only 163 inhabitants and a rare language, the Franco-Provençal language imported by the Angevins. We then proceed to Sant'Agata di Puglia, with a breathtaking view of the Tavoliere and the many characteristic historical alleys.
It is impossible to miss a stop at Monte Cornacchia, the highest peak in Puglia. Those with a sweet tooth will be able to refresh themselves by savouring a typical product from Orsara di Puglia, the last stop in the area, unmissable for its typical bread with ancient sourdough starter baked in a straw oven. 

The second stage of the journey leads to the Gargano, a land of centuries-old devotion and pilgrims of unparalleled beauty. That is why a stop is planned in Cagnano Varano, with its famous cave housing an altar dedicated to St Michael the Archangel. A short distance away is the Varano Lake, joined by a thin strip of land to the Adriatic Sea and an ideal place to admire different species of birds, water lilies and relax in a kayak.
A plunge into the coolness and nature is provided by the Foresta Umbra, a rich UNESCO heritage site composed of ancient beech forests from which one can then reach the Eremi di Pulsano, lonely, perched places from which one can enjoy an astonishing panorama. 

Bisceglie is a fundamental stop for lovers of time travel: its floating Naval Museum will enchant you with the many boats that have made history here.
 The next stop is the Archaeological Park of San Leucio, rich in archaeological evidence of great value, including the remains of the largest early Christian basilica in Puglia dedicated to San Leucio.
The last stop in the area is Monopoli, a very popular destination and an ideal opportunity to admire the way in which gozzi are built, the classic coloured wooden boats that enliven the Apulian ports.

The Puglian countryside is as worthy of discovery as the coast. The tour continues to the Alta Murgia National Park, between expanses of steppe, barren pastures and karstic rocks that will immerse you in complete harmony with nature.

In Altamura and Gravina you will be fascinated by two of the largest karst sinkholes in the Murgia, the Pulo and the Pulicchio: curious chasms created by the underground erosion of rocks that create a unique landscape. On reaching Poggiorsini, you will discover the ruins of the Garagnone fortress, an imposing piece of rock from which to marvel at the flight of the kestrels.

Finally, a stop at Laterza is recommended to take a break in the open air and admire the limestone formations that have formed caves, sinkholes, pulas and ravines. Masserias, vineyards and oil mills in the area offer the ideal opportunity to sample the region's delicious flavours. 

The tour continues, as we venture deep into the Itria valley, to Carovigno, where you can admire the majestic castle with its triangular floor plan. A few kilometres further on, it's vineyard territory, where you can wander through the rows of red grapes that produce the famous Primitivo di Manduria, before reaching the Cesine Nature Reserve, which is on the migration route used by the many birds flying from Northern Europe to Africa.
A must-see is Soleto, where you can stop to admire the Guglia di Raimondello, a remarkable example of Gothic architecture in the Salento area. Further downhill, another place to visit is Torrepaduli and its marvellous "Dance of the Knives", an ancient tradition performed by musicians and dancers and designed to ward off melancholy and negativity.
Puglia Off the Beaten Track ends at Punta Palascia, Italy's easternmost headland, with breathtaking panoramic views - truly a fitting end to this wonderful journey.

Itineraries like Puglia Fuori Rotta really bring out the true essence of Italy's beautiful and diverse regions, as they show you places and landscapes which are often less-visited and little known, but equally exciting and memorable.