Explore holidays in Puglia
There’s a different side of Italy to discover on a holiday in Puglia – the land of the trulli, ancient olive groves and historic towns that take you on a journey from Byzantine to Baroque. And then there are the countless beaches and beach clubs that capture the diversity of this absorbing destination: unspoilt, unpretentious and full of creative flair, where the generosity of the locals is matched by the excellence of its cuisine.
To complete the picture, explore our collection of handpicked villas, and Partner Hotels to fully immerse yourself in the local culture.
Explore our pre-bookable experiences in Puglia.
A SELECTION OF OUR HOLIDAYS IN PUGLIA
Our guide to Puglia
Overview
Introduction to Puglia
History and legacy
Puglia is the ‘heel’ of Italy, on one side caressed by the waves of the Ionian, on the other the Adriatic Sea. A long, slender peninsula, it’s drawn the attention of traders and invaders for centuries; the Greeks, Romans, Austrians, Spanish and French all claimed it as their own and then left their legacy of spectacular Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture. But it’s not these impressive buildings, tucked away in the ancient hearts of villages and towns, that Puglia is most famous for. Instead it’s the indigenous fairy-tale trulli houses: a nod to the fact that what Puglia often does best is be itself.
The warmth of the welcome
Part of Puglia’s uniqueness lies in the almost total flatness of its landscape. And yet rather than detracting from its character, it’s the secret to one of the region’s greatest assets: its generous hospitality. With the sea on both sides, fighting to remain separate from the world would be like trying to hold back the tide – so the locals have embraced their situation, and without mountains to obscure the view or hide behind, they’ve become outwards looking and warmly welcoming: a bridge between east and west. It’s something that they see as setting them apart from the rest of Italy – that and their mozzarella, red wine and olive oil…
Shaped by tradition
This is a landscape defined by its olive groves: countless rows of trees rising out of the fertile red soil, some thousands of years old. As they age, the gnarled trunks often split, turning one tree into two, which entwine like dancers, beautiful in their old age. Compared to the lush greens of Tuscany and Umbria, Puglia is more desert-like, less tamed, with woodland and vineyards, but also rocks and cactuses shouldering up to the dry-stone walls. One of the richest areas of flora and fauna is the Valle d’Itria, home to Alberobello, the UNESCO-listed trulli village, and towns, such as Ostuni and Locorotondo, carved out of the area’s pale stone and whitewashed to even greater brilliance.
A characterful coastline
From the cragginess of wind-hewn rocks to the palest, softest sand, Puglia’s 900km coastline is spectacularly diverse and the choice can seem overwhelming. To get to know the spirit of the region a little better, town beaches, such as Poligano a Mare, are a fascinating place to start, with seafront promenades, boat trips and surrounding shorelines punctuated by pretty harbours, as well as the winding streets of Old Towns to explore for lunch. Alternatively, the nature reserve of Torre Guaceto offers a less bustling experience with lots of snorkelling potential. Beach clubs are plentiful too and, around Capitolo in particular, they’re also elegantly upmarket – or you can avoid the entry fee and choose a ‘free beach’. But don’t expect to have it all to yourself, particularly in high season.
Culinary reverence
Food is Puglia’s great love – passion, hospitality and tradition combined – and lunchtimes are sacrosanct, which is why most shops are firmly shut from 1pm to 4pm as staff return home to eat with family. Recipes are simple and bursting with fresh, seasonal ingredients, the rich notes of local olive oil running through them. It makes farmers’ markets a place of weekly pilgrimage, particularly in rural areas where the preference is to put money back into the pockets of the locals. Unsurprisingly, seafood features prominently, recently scooped from the water, no cooking required – and what Puglia can’t do with dairy products isn’t worth considering.
