Puglia

Today ends my trip in Puglia and I head to Napoli on the train for about a 6.5 hour journey leaving the South behind as I head up the boot. I have visited as many places as feasible traveling only by train or bus or taxi (no driving on these roads for me! Italian driving is a sport I do not play!)
I traveled down the coastal towns of Bari, Monopoli, Polignano, Lecce (inland), Otranto and neighboring Turkish beach resort, Ostuni, Locorotondo, Alberobello, and finally Martina Franca.

All the places have similar design of lime stone and whitewashed walls, winding alleyways, piazzas, small parks, little Trulli houses, and lovely views of the sea or the valley.

The cuisine is mostly fresh sea food on the coast, and a wide selection of pastries, pasta, focaccia, pizza, ponzerotto, meats cooked in the fire oven right in the butcher shop, fresh cheeses, olives, fava beans, and so much more! The Southern version of Italian food is buonissimo!

Olive trees are abundant, and there are also grapes, figs, pomegranate, oleander, roses, cactus, succulents, and other plants that thrive in the hot dry weather.

I have enjoyed the slow southern vibe and the warm hospitality of the Puglia region.

I will post a few photos here of the towns, then add the Valle d'itria on another footprint. It's hard to select only 20 photos for two weeks of travel!Read more