which are a UNESCO site. A trip to Puglia is not complete without a selfie in front of a trullo, the signature structures people most associate with this part of Italy.
Seeing the soul of Puglia can be done Italian style in a vintage car or vespa along panoramic roads, taking in scenic landscapes and historic villages while soaking up the local culture along the way. Viewing the contrasting colors from the earthtone farmlands to the sapphire sea colors of the
Adriatic to the
bright
whitewashed
villages is a visual
sensory delight.
Agriculture
punctuates the
rhythm of life in
Puglia. In fact,
Puglia is known as
the kingdom of
extra virgin olive oil.
The locals consider
olive oil to be their
gold. There are over
60 million olive
trees planted in
Puglia with about
half being over 100
years old and about
5 million over 1000
years old.
Additionally,
Apulian wines are
enjoying a
newfound
reputation with
idyllic conditions for
growing grapes
with fertile soil and
sea breezes, so
vineyards are
plentiful as well.
Rose wines from
Puglia are rising in
popularity.
Puglia offers a variety of unique types of accommodation from boutique B&B’s to small independent hotels to trulli homes and masserias. These masserias are centuries old farmhouses in walled estates that have been repurposed as hotels, many with luxury amenities as well as gourmet food and wine offerings.
Masserias are a great choice to really get the feel of what local life was like here as a farm owner. Two masserias worth visiting are Il Melograno and Masseria Torre Coccaro.
Il Melograno
Il Melograno meaning pomegranate, was the first Apulian masseria to open from the 17th century and has become a popular place to stay for visitors to Puglia. It is easy to reach, being equidistant from both Bari and Brindisi airports. This noble farmhouse retains a romantic atmosphere with 40 rooms surrounded by bougainvillea and citrus groves positioned in a labyrinth of whitewashed avenues. Over 120 olive trees, many over 1000 years old, are throughout the property. There are even two interspersed right smack in the middle of the dining room with the dark trunks contrasting the white tablecloths. The Mummolo Restaurant serves traditional Apulian cuisine with a modern twist. A hearty breakfast buffet with myriads of homemade pastries, breads, cheeses, honeys and local fruits starts mornings off right. The grounds include tennis courts, a spa and both an indoor and outdoor swimming pool. The central square is a fabulous spot for hosting memorable Apulian weddings and events. Cooking classes are a must to learn how to recreate Apulian meals at home. The Tamerics Beach Club is a short shuttle ride away where the cool Adriatic Sea breezes welcome guests to its shores.
Le Peschieria
Il Melograno’s sister property, Le Peschieria, an ancient Bourbon fishing reserve, is now a romantic couples-only retreat just 10 minutes away. It is an intimate and private setting with only 13 rooms all sitting beachfront with the waves lapping steps away. There are a series of 6 adjacent pools for guests only. The seafront Saleblue Restaurant is one of Italy’s most romantic settings awarded as such by Forbes Travel Guide. Fresh fish from the Adriatic Sea is the house’s specialty. Guests dine either indoors with floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the sea or outdoors on a platform just above the water. This is an ideal honeymoon hideaway!