Puglia: The Bit of Italy That’ll Ruin You for Everywhere Else

Here’s the wonderful thing about Puglia. I was really looking forward to visiting with my Italian girlfriend and staying at her brother's holiday home. I really needed the break & some serious relaxation time after working incredibly hard - but Puglia gave me all that and far more than I expected

Puglia? That’s the bit dangling down at the heel of the boot. And it’s like Italy went, “You know what, let’s save all the proper charm, all the sunshine, and all the good food for here — and then just not tell anyone.”

Getting There

You fly into Bari or Brindisi, and from there it’s a short drive into… well, let’s call it Heaven with Wi-Fi. You’ve got olive trees that look like they’ve been standing around gossiping for a thousand years, roads that meander like they’ve had a few too many Aperol Spritz, and skies so blue you start to wonder if someone’s been fiddling with the saturation settings.

The Vibe

The mornings? Slow. You shuffle out for a coffee , sit in some little café that’s probably been run by the same family since Julius Caesar popped in for a panini, and watch the world fail to hurry. By lunchtime, the heat’s turned up to “You’re Not Doing Anything, Mate” and you find yourself leaning into it — two-hour lunch, a nap, maybe a swim. Then, come evening, the whole place wakes up. Everyone’s out, kids playing football in the square, the smell of pizza or seafood pasta drifting in the air.

Stuff You’ve Got to See

• Alberobello’s Trulli Houses – These funny little cone-shaped houses look like hobbits moved to the Med. You can’t take a bad photo there — even if you try.

• Polignano a Mare – A cliffside town where you can eat gelato while staring at water so blue it looks fake.

• Ostuni – They call it the White City, but it’s not just white. It’s blinding. Wear sunglasses or risk looking permanently surprised.

• The Beaches – Some are silky white sand, some are rocky little coves, all of them make you feel like you’ve stumbled into a holiday advert.

• The Food – Burrata so creamy it should be illegal, pasta shaped like tiny ears (orecchiette), olive oil that could make you weep, and seafood so fresh it's still swimming!

  
  

  

  
  

Pro Tips

• Rent a car. Getting lost is half the fun — just follow the smell of garlic and the sound of laughter.

• Stay in a masseria (fancy farmhouse) or a trullo. Hotels are fine, but these places make you feel like you’re living in the real Puglia.

• Adjust your pace. Shops will close in the afternoon. People will take their time. You will too, and you’ll love it.

  
  

Why You’ll Never Be the Same Again

Puglia does something to you. It sneaks under your skin. You stop checking your phone every five minutes, you start caring more about what’s for dinner than what’s on your to-do list, and you find yourself smiling at strangers like a lunatic. It’s not just a holiday — it’s a reminder that life can be lived slower, warmer, and with a lot more cheese.

If you’re Still Kicking, trust me: book the ticket.