Notebook · 01 May 2022
The light and the sea behind the bridge are exactly what make Polignano so memorable.
Polignano a Mare, one of Puglia’s most iconic towns. The giveaway is the historic stone bridge (Ponte Borbonico) spanning Lama Monachile.
Done Tuscany? Escaping Campania’s crowds? Head to Puglia, where olive groves and vineyards are interspersed with clusters of trulli. Venture to Locorotondo, Alberobello, Taranto, Lecce and Polignano a Mare to find some of the region’s most charming villages, secluded beaches and the best caves for wild swimming.
Puglia is famous for the hilly villages from the characteristic white plaster, for its sea and, last but not least, for its wine & food. Visit local cellar, taste special wines and local food and enjoy cooking classes. For those who love to bike Puglia is a bikers’ dream come true!
Puglia's landscapes are some of the dreamiest in Italy with rugged coastlines, hills dotted with whitewashed villages and vast wildflower-filled plains, It's little wonder that crowds of travellers are drawn to its beauty each year. Yet, if you look beyond the olive groves and towers of trulli, you'll find hypnotic caves, hidden beaches and invigorating rivers that welcome wild swimming.
Puglia is unique and with its’ food, architecture and atmosphere a destination worth visiting. The landscapes alone, crystal-clear aaters and gigantic olive trees alone are captivating.
Sun and sea, food, wine and – nothing could be better!
Towns and Cities visited…
• Ostuni – ‘the white city’ narrow streets filled in history and full of local shops and nightlife.
• Lecce - Home of baroque architecture and a history dating back to the Trojan War. The ‘Florence of the South’ with its own Roman Amphitheater.
• Martina Franca – Home of wine tasting and vineyards.
• Monopoli – Home of 19 historic churches and Casellana Grotte’s stunning rock formations
• Bari – capital of Puglia and. Port and University City. Barivecchia Old Town & Svevo Castle.
• Alberobello – Unesco World Heritage Site. Trulli homes made from Limestone boulders & Museo del Territorio.
• Brindisi and Taranto – Characterized by flourishing vegetation and large olive groves.
• Polignano a mare – beautiful coastal town with jagged coastline and steep slopes. Arab, byzantine & Spanish signs in historic city centre. Lama Monachile Beach & San Vito Abbey.
Written by
Maryann Gaskin
Maryann is a Toronto-based luxury travel advisor and the founder of Gaskin Travel. She has been planning bespoke trips for two decades.
