Italia - Puglia

October 23, 2018

Italia - Puglia

“Live life by a compass, not a clock”
– Stephen Convey

Only the Italians really embrace this philosophy fully and beautifully, as we all should learn to do. Forever one of my favourite places on earth, I continue to fall in love with every little hidden nook and cranny that reveals more life secrets. Puglia is definitely my new favourite by far, and still unexplored and quiet, especially in September. Flying into Bari is easy and renting a Fiat not so much, but still worth it for the fun of fitting a group + luggage into it and driving along the Italian coast at 140km with not a care in the world, except for the next best song + meal.

Charming Lecce

Without a doubt, stay at the Palazzo Siena in Lecce - run by the sweetest family and a quiet oasis to explore the area, definitely on my top 10 list of best hotels in the world. We stayed at a seaside hotel for the first few days near Polignano a Mare and ventured into town to explore - there is the Grotta Palazzese cave restaurant there which is touristy but beautiful and really great food actually.

Poglignano a Mare

We then continued to venture south - here are the snapshots along the road:
1) Lecce area: MS Pietra Restaurant, Salento near the Palazzo Siena. Also great local pizza places close by. It's a quiet town but easy access to local agriturismos and quaint villages.

Salt Water pool + Garden @ Palazzo Siena

2) Alberobello: the Trulli town, a quick stop but beautiful nonetheless
3) Ostuni: a great little village with some of the best orecchiette + burrata at Al Solito Posto. Stock up on olive oil here, sold in adorable clay pots...