Located in the heel of Italy’s boot, Puglia exhibits the rustic tranquility of the Italian countryside with the Baroque luxury of world-class hotels that are nestled inside 15th-century convents. Despite its cultural richness and architecture, Puglia is still one of the least explored regions of Italy, offering a coastline bathed by two crystal blue seas: the Adriatic and the Ionian.
The southern part of Italy is often referred to as mezzogiorno, meaning “midday,” so named for the intensity of the sunshine, which glares down nearly 300 days per year. With the heat and sun comes this region’s propensity for languid living. Travel to Puglia where time seems to pass more slowly, giving residents and visitors the opportunity to appreciate every rich detail of life.
The ancient history that lingers in the crumbling stone trulli, the Baroque churches of Lecce, the majestic fortress Castel del Monte, or the medieval convents surrounded by olive groves enriches Puglia travel beyond your average beach vacation.
Things Not to Miss in Puglia
• Soak up the sun at the many beaches that dot the coastline
• See the trulli in Alberobello
• Walk around the ancient fortress in Lucera
• Swim in the shade of ancient city walls in Otranto
• Appreciate the Baroque churches, like the Basilica di Santa Croce in Lecce
▪ Tour the collections of ancient Greek, Roman and Puglian art at the Museo Nazionale Archeologico di Taranto
When to Go to Puglia
Puglia has a truly Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers. An average of 300 sunny days per year makes summer (May – September) the most popular time to visit Puglia. In July and August, Italians on holiday flood Puglia and revelry abounds—food festivals, concerts and other spectacular events pop up across the historic towns and beach villages.
The off-season is October to April, when the water becomes too cold to swim, and the days are chilly and rainy. But the countryside is still rich with cultural activities and outdoor pursuits like horseback riding and biking. With the fall harvests, Puglia cuisine is even more bountiful and delicious in the colder months.
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