Monday Nov 3 Locorotondo & Alberobello

This was well worth the visit. Google maps worked well in getting us to Locorotondo. Not having a screen on our Mini, we’re still struggling a bit with “car play” and seeing the route - but getting better.
We rented bikes from Puglia on Bike. I chose an e-bike and was delighted I did. It was super hilly. Andre sent me a biking map through WhatsApp, and gave me a holder for my phone. Do wish Peter was “responsible” for directions - but so be it. The map worked well to San Marco, then it stopped - said we had reached our destination - not good. . . .
The sign at the intersection said Alberobello this way, so we headed off. When I checked the map, though, we were not on the path he’d suggested but further north along a highway. I suggested we head back and try to find the “blue” path. Bad idea. . . . We couldn’t find it, so ended up going back the way we’d come. Poor Peter, he was on a manual bike and the hills were steep. Was super impressed with how well he managed them. I would put my e-bike into 5 and zip up the hills, he had to pedal, pedal, pedal . . .
Eventually we reached Alberobello, and what a sight. The pics say it all - so unique.

It seems the trulli - traditional Apulian dry stone homes with conical roofs - were build in the 18th century for labourers in the vineyards. Many have symbols painted on them - mainly religious. It was hard to capture the vastness of the trulli - there are hundreds of them. Although a tourist site, it didn’t seem too touristy today.

We paused for lunch but I ordered badly - grilled shrimp - what a mess peeling them only to end up with 6 small shrimp - lesson learned. . .
All in all a wonderful day.Read more