Real Puglia Experiences - Stunning Natural Beauty - Live Like a Local

Properties

Puglia offers a wide selection of privately-owned holiday properties. Our lovingly restored family homes are available for short-time rental.

Trullo Lina
Trullo Lina
Alberobello
Casa San Pietro
Casa San Pietro
Monopoli

About Puglia

Puglia is known as the 'heel' in South East Italy. It is a region steeped in history having been occupied by the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Normans, culminating in a unique blend of architectural styles, historical sites, and cultural and gastronomic traditions.

Puglia has been a much visited destination for many years, but in the last decade or so, it has become increasingly popular. The beaches, bars, restaurants and markets are still predominantly frequented by Italians, both locals and holiday makers, who come to enjoy the renowned cuisine, soak up the sunshine, stroll through the old towns, and drive and cycle through the unspoilt countryside, and swim in the crystal-clear sea.

Despite its very strong traditional values, Puglia is fast developing many modern and sophisticated attributes, and is providing its many visitors an increasingly wide selection of luxurious offerings.

Sun

Puglia is one of Italy's sunniest regions. Throughout the year, the sun casts its golden hues over the rich red soil and white hill-towns, creating a breathtaking symphony of colours against the blue backdrop of the sky. The warm dry climate encourages a relaxed pace of life, where people linger to chat in the squares and to stroll during balmy evenings.

Sea

The crystal-clear waters of Puglia's Adriatic and Ionian seas and the long coastline dotted with picturesque coves with dramatic rock formations and white sandy beaches, provide a stunning backdrop to Puglia's ancient maritime traditions and seafaring heritage. Boat trips, fishing trips, paddleboarding and canoeing are all available along the coastline.

Food

Puglia is the agricultural heartland of Italy. With a rich variety of local produce and fresh seafood, its traditional dishes offer an enduring experience. Puglia's hills are home to extensive olive groves, the 'gold of Puglia' constitutes over 40% of Italy's olive oil production. Whilst Puglia's new wines are reaching increasingly high levels of sophistication.

Highlights of the Region

Here is a small selection of the many areas of interest in Puglia (too many to include all).

Monopoli and Surrounding Coastline
Monopoli and Surrounding Coastline
Monopoli and Surrounding Coastline

Monopoli is strategically located between Bari and Brindisi; a prosperous port where fishing trawlers bring their catches daily. The old town (the 'centro storico') with its castle, cathedral and many churches, provides a treasure trove of typical Puglian architectural styles. It is a vibrant place where both locals and visitors flock to the cocktail bars, restaurants and shops well into the night.

The town is surrounded by bright blue sea, with sandy coves along the coast, well equipped lidos and sea-front restaurants. Heading south-east down the coastline are the ruins of the Graeco-Messapian town of Egnazia. Dating from 13th century BC, these ruins are not spectacular by Italian standards, but the location by the sea is quite unique. By contrast, a little further down the coast the luxury resort of Borgo Egnazia is a spectacular haven of relaxation and sophistication and popular with A-list celebrities. Continuing along towards Brindisi is the protected marine reserve Torre Guaceto, home to migrating birds and turtles, with wild dunes, walking and cycling trails and long stretches of sandy beach.

Just 8km north-west of Monopoli lies the town of Polignano a Mare. Originally built by the Greeks, it is spectacularly located on a rocky promontory over the sea, and features a picturesque and well preserved old town and hosts the annual world cliff diving championships. Further up the coast, 40 minutes from Monopoli, is Bari, a major port and university city with large palm-lined avenues and squares, and a very long sea promenade, various museums, theatres and elegant shops. The old town is enjoying a minor renaissance with the restoration of many medieval structures, it is a labyrinth of winding streets with sea on 3 sides, 40 churches, over 120 shrines, a castle and a cathedral. Here lies the Basilica of San Nicola, a crucial site for Catholic and Greek Orthodox pilgrims where the relics of St Nicholas are buried.

The Valle d'Itria
The Valle d'Itria

The Valle d'Itria, running through the heart of Puglia, is characterized by rolling hills, ancient olive groves, picturesque orchards, vast vineyards, fortified masserie, and the iconic conical limestone roofs of the traditional trulli dwellings. This spectacular area captivates visitors with its rich history and rural traditions. The quaint "white towns" of Puglia, also known as "borghi bianchi," sit atop the many hills with magnificent views across the Itria valley to the coastline.

The historic town of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its concentration of trulli, creating a fairy-tale-like atmosphere. Ostuni, the white-town par excellence, is a striking showcase of beauty and history. Martina Franca with its Baroque and Rococo architecture, and its annual international music festival in late July and August, attracts visitors from all over. Locorotondo and Cisternino, are other perfect examples of the dazzling white-washed buildings so distinctive of this area. Their limestone facades not only give the towns a striking appearance but also serve a practical purpose by reflecting the intense sunlight, keeping the interiors cooler during the hot Mediterranean summers.

Wandering through their narrow winding streets, visitors are captivated by the rich blend of medieval and Moorish influences, where each corner reveals hidden gems, quaint courtyards and vibrant flower-filled balconies. And of course this visual feast is not the only allure of the Valle d'Itria, its many culinary delights accompany the visitors journeys with a rich variety of traditional dishes and produce that offer an unforgettable experience.

A short distance north of the Valle d'Itria are the spectacular limestone caves, 'Grotte di Castellana', the longest cave formation in Italy. With their white alabaster and stalactites formations, and their cool 16-degrees constant temperatures, they provide a welcome escape from the heat in the height of summer.

Salento
Salento
Salento

Salento, the southernmost part of the Puglia region, is known for its distinctive culture, stunning landscapes, and in particular its breath-taking coastline where the Adriatic and Ionian Seas meet at the tip of Italy's heel in Santa Maria di Leuca. The area boasts a rich cultural heritage, with its lively festivals, traditional folk music such as the bewitching 'Taranta', and the enduring influence of Greek and Byzantine civilizations. Baroque architecture is evident in the quaint historic towns, in particular in Lecce 'the Florence of the South'. Salento also brilliantly showcases the flavours of the Mediterranean, and, when it comes to wine, Salento remains one of the most highly regarded areas in Puglia thanks to its talented producers who embrace both traditional and modern styles of vinification.

Olive Oil

Trullo Lina sits in its own private 2 hectares of land, mainly covered by olive groves.

Trullo Lina Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Trullo Lina Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

Our olive oil is produced using traditional meticulous methods. Every Autumn the olives are hand-harvested with the help of family and friends. After harvesting, the fruit is taken to our local “frantoio” in Alberobello, where it immediately undergoes the cleaning process. Then, the mechanical cold-pressing starts, only the first press is used from every harvest.

The Leccino olives, a typical local variety, produce a rich, fruity and well-balanced oil with almond hints and peppery overtones, testament to the sun-drenched groves where each olive ripens to perfection.

Experiences

Puglia's unspoilt countryside and coastline provide ample opportunity for active and relaxing holidays.

Cycle Puglia
Cycle Puglia

Cycling in Puglia offers a unique and immersive experience for enthusiasts and leisure riders alike. The diverse landscape of Puglia, characterized by rolling hills, vineyards, olive groves, spectacular hill-towns, and charming coastal villages, provides a captivating backdrop for cyclists exploring the area. The fitter cyclists can easiy gain some altitude heading for the many ridges and hills, where most of the panoramic uphill roads are relatively gentle, there are always more challenging climbs to be tackled if so desired. The region is full of quiet country lanes and local roads, and with its extensive network of cycling routes it allows riders to easily enjoy its rich natural landscapes, cultural heritage and historical sites.

Puglia's mild climate and relatively flat terrain make it an ideal destination for cyclists of varying skill levels. The coastal roads offer breathtaking views of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, creating a serene atmosphere for riders seeking both relaxation and adventure. Cyclists can also explore the national parks with their lush woods and shrubs, or going through quiet country lanes. Whether cruising along the coastline or venturing into the inland landscapes, cycling in Puglia promises a rewarding and unforgettable experience, blending physical activity with the beauty of nature, the warmth of Italian hospitality, and delights of the local gastronomy.

Gastronomy
Gastronomy
Gastronomy

Puglia's fertile lands have made it a very popular gastronomic destination. Much of the landscape is covered with olive groves, almonds, fig and cherry orchards, vegetables and vineyards. The long coastline provides an abundance of fresh fish and shellfish. From octopus, clams and mussels, to prawns, bream and swordfish, the region's strong seafaring tradition delights seafood lovers from all over the world. Puglia's strong farming traditions and gastronomic values are reflected in its dishes which are simple but full in flavour. In recent years Puglia has evolved a unique style of modern cuisine and wine-making, and its new wines have made a name for themselves, fighting their corner with the better-known vineyards of Italy, and indeed the rest of Europe, all of which contributes to make Puglia a true haven for food enthusiasts.

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