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Southern Puglia, the land we call Salento, is the favorite place for Americans who need to change their life. Maybe it’s better to say, who needs to live a good life!
Salento indeed hosts the biggest American community of Puglia. They fall in love with the sun, with the richness of biodiversity, with the lifestyle: slow and peaceful. Almost like California but with low prices!
These were the reasons that dropped Giulia in Puglia, in Salento to be fair. She came in 2016 and opened: At the Aia, a country house famous for its Puglia retreats!
If you’re curious about Giulia’s story and why she decided to change her life by moving from New York City to Nardò, so watch the video below we made with her last summer!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdUoqXkOT98&t=14s
Meditative Puglia retreats
"At the Aia" is located in the countryside of Nardò: a really flourishing village on the Ionian coast of Salento, quite close to the most famous Gallipoli.
It is a wonderful place, surrounded by nature, olive and fruit groves where you can live the best relaxing and meditative moments of your life.
Yes, because the Puglia retreats designed by Giulia are actual meditation experiences characterized by the best Apulian food, yoga classes, massages, acupuncture, and slow living.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHjjqYO9s8o&t=2s
Contact them!
So, if you’re interested in diving into her special Puglia retreats: contact At the Aia and book your stay!
You find all contacts and localization in the form below!
Have you ever slept in a treehouse? Well, the experience is something exceptional!
Just imagine a typical Apulian olive trees grove spotted by beautiful and super functional wooden treehouses... is that kind of thing you don’t see every day, especially in Italy, or worst in Puglia!
From this very ambitious and innovative idea comes Aulìa Treehouse: an eco-village in Puglia made of tiny environmentally friendly treehouses. The treehouses here are designed by three different architects who are used to eco-friendly projects.
These are indeed the only treehouses in Italy having this peculiarity!
Holidays on the olive trees
The eco-village of Aulìa Treehouse is born in 2020 - during a worldwide pandemic - in the heart of Puglia, at San Vito dei Normanni accurately, a cute village in the Brindisi province. It is in the area that we call "Alto Salento": High Salento.
This area is actually full of olive trees grove: it’s really amazing!
That’s why Anna and Mino, a sweet couple from San Vito dei Normanni, decided to build their eco-village here: the place where they were born and the land of the olive trees.
When you hear about a treehouse in Italy, you can often refer to the luxurious and huge treehouses in Northern Italy. Usually, they are built into woods or forests, stunning, as well as olive groves, but totally different from the Apulian scenario.
The project behind Aulìa Treehouse is very ambitious.
Unfortunately, they are having some bureaucracy issues, so after two years they’re still not able to host guests in this fabulous place.
We’ve been in contact with them for such a long time, they’re clients and friends for us, genuine and nice people. So, we wish them lots of luck for future, we wish their dream comes true soon.
We sincerely believe Puglia needs Aulìa Treehouse to improve its tourism offer and local experience!
Parco Rurale is the Archaeological Park and the Rural Museum of the most famous Masseria Spina Resort. An amazing place where ancient history, pristine nature, and local experiences blend harmoniously.
This rural park surrounds Masseria Spina: located in the countryside of Monopoli, which is one of the best little sea towns on the coast from Bari toLecce.
A three centuries long story
The most fascinating thing about Parco Rurale is that it tells a three centuries long story.
The park is divided into different areas, first of all, you can visit the millenary olive trees grove of the property.
It is a beautiful yard also available for private parties and country-style weddings.
But if we can suggest you: try to spend a bit of your time looking at the fantastic olive trees trunks. It could be something really special for you if you've never seen an Apulian millenary olive tree.
Going on with your walking tour in the property of Parco Rurale and Masseria Spina, you'll find "Spina Piccola". It is the old sighting tower of the ancient farm, with the stable, full of horse tools used by the Masseria ancestors.
After "Spina Piccola" another highlight of Parco Rurale is the rupestrian oil mill. Actually, it is very common in Puglia, but this one is huge because it was used to produce the oil (before) and the silk (later) of the entire property.
Some other beautiful spots await you at Parco Rurale, but we won't spoil everything about this place.
So, you need to book your visit here once in Puglia!
Parco Rurale local experiences
Wait! It's not over!
Cultural stuff is interesting and cool, but what about living local and authentic experiences?
At Parco Rural you can also:
taste good local and crafted wine
taste the Masseria Spina extra virgin olive oil
participate in a fresh pasta-making class
book a full immersion local food and drink experience.
One special place to feel the importance of roots and history, but also to enjoy the real taste of Puglia!
Contact them!
As you can see, Parco Rurale is a stunning and eclectic place. We suggest booking your stay at Masseria SpinaResort, which if you don't know yet, you can visit here. After that book, your walking tour through the property and the full immersion experience in the local lifestyle!
You find all the contact info on the form below!
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A gem set in Itria Valley
In the heart of Puglia, there’s a magical place known as Itria Valley, which is the Apulian land of art, local culture, and traditions.
Here, where the best natural landscapes meet the most typical food, stands Villa San Martino, one of the best charming 5 stars luxury hotels in Puglia.
Villa San Martino is located in the countryside of Martina Franca, the province of Taranto.
This little village is famous for its fabulous history which had its main glory during the Baroque era. In fact, Martina Franca is characterized by its charming and fascinating Baroque buildings and the most famous Church dedicated to Saint Martin.
This small village in the Itria Valley is the perfect place to host this luxury hotel full of relaxing corners and romantic beauty.
Lux and charme in Puglia
Villa San Martino was born as a family country house. Now, it is a wonderful resort with a gourmet restaurant, a SPA, and a private pool and a huge garden, where you can still feel the family atmosphere and warm hospitality.
From a rich international breakfast to your bedtime you’ll be pampered in every need.
The professional staff of Villa San Martino is available to satisfy all your requirements!
During the last year, in 2021, they’ve launched a new spin-off project: Il Trullo da Ninò Restaurant.
In the same luxury scenario, indeed, you can also find a very typical corner characterized by a Trullo where you’ll have a chance to taste the local food and delicacies.
5 stars luxury wedding venue
It's easy to fall in love with this fabulous location.Villa San Martino, surrounded by nature and charm, is one of the best wedding venues of Itria Valley and the whole Puglia indeed.
The garden will host your ceremony and the staff will work to set up your wonderful Italian-style wedding in a luxurious backdrop. But, as we said, beyond being a 5 stars luxury hotel in Puglia, Villa San Martino gives you also the chance to enjoy a pre-wedding party in a traditional Trullo. Isn't this amazing?
Contact them!
If you’re in love with this charming and romantic luxury hotel in Puglia, please, check the info area below and contact them to book your stay!
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The experience of living Masseria Spina
Masseria Spina Resort is a magnificent fortified Masseria full of intense history and much more than an accommodation facility in Puglia.
This is also an unconventional Masseria with its dark red color and the huge Rural Park around it. It offers you the chance to experience the traditions, the culture, and obviously the flavors of Puglia.
A long story
Masseria Spina Resort is one of the oldest historic residences of Puglia, with its long and fascinating history, which began during the sixteenth century.
The first settlements of Masseria Spina are among the most important examples of rupestrian civilization, developed between roughly the ninth and twelfth centuries in Puglia.
Traces of ancient foundations dating from the early medieval period and a small cemetery are visible, a tangible sign of the presence, around the XII sec., of a pretty large community.
Numerous dynasties owned this amazing Masseria starting from Francisco de Chiantera in 1500 and its son Vito who took the name of “Spina” after the marriage with Lucrezia Spina.
After two important local families, starting from 1890 as a result of a wedding, Masseria Spina became the property of the old Meo-Evoli family who, in the late 70s, made the Masseria one of the first holiday farms of Puglia.
Nori Meo-Evoli currently lives at Masseria Spina with her children, Marco, and Sara D'Errico.
The entire family dedicates all its energies and skills to this estate, which is nowadays one of the most famous Masseria in Puglia.
This beautiful property, located few steps far from the fantastic sea of Monopoli (very close to Polignano a Mare) and just some kilometers from the center of the town, hosts five cozy flats fully equipped with any kind of comfort.
Furthermore, after sleeping in a charming old fashioned bedroom, the swimming pool and the Rural Park "Piana degli Ulivi" all around the Masseria await you to spend your relaxing days, walking through the unique centuries-old olive trees.
Masseria Spina indeed is not just a wonderful accommodation facility. It is an experience!
Spending your holidays here gives you also the chance to visit the wonderful Rural Park “Piana degli Ulivi” and live the gastronomic - historical tour of the masseria.
The guided tour allows you to take a 2 hours journey through the:
rocky settlement
the necropolis and the Minor Church
the Spina Piccola Fortified Tower
the first fortified work and the internal citrus grove
the ancient underground olive press
the dry cleaners
the external facade of the Masseria Spina Grande, the majestic structure with its peculiar red color
the end the Baroque Church of the Immaculate.
After this historical tour the fabulous Apulian cooking awaits you!
From the Rural Park the tour moves forward to the kitchen of the masseria, where you’ll learn how to make some typical Apulian dishes and then, you’ll taste them!
So, you’ll experience in a day the Apulian lifestyle, culture, food tradition.
What if you’re going to married? Have you ever though of a wedding in Puglia?
Well, actually Puglia is one of latest favorite destination for the VIP’s weddings worldwide.
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, Mirko Vucinic, Laure Peugeot and Ritika Agawal are just some of them.
Having your wedding in Puglia is a very cool experience, especially if you choose Masseria Spina for your own wedding.
Just imagine to plan the most important day of your life in a special place like this one.
White flowers everywhere, an aristocratic residence to hosts you and your relatives, the Apulian hospitality and warmth and finally the delicious food and wine made by “Le cucine di Masseria Spina”, the onsite restaurant of Masseria Spina Resort.
These ingredients will surely make your wedding in Puglia more magical than usual!
We’re sure you’re in love with this amazingly red masseria as we’re from the first day we visited it.
For more infos about panning your holidays or your wedding at Masseria Spina Resort, just fill in the form below and contact the Meo-Evoli family or visit its website.
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Luxury flats with private pools
Cinquevite is an adorable residence fitted out with five beautiful, elegant, and luxuryflats in a Nineteenth-Century palace, in Polignano a Mare, Puglia.
Not just rooms, but luxury and smarts suites. Thanks to building automation, you will set your flat on your needs and living relaxing days in Polignano.
Moreover, the flats are equipped with a private bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, living room, and something special I’m going to tell you now!
Private pools and contemporary style
The fascinating contrast between contemporary design and ancient materials is what makes Cinquevite so unique.
Indeed, the typical old fashioned floors and tuff vaults are totally in harmony with delicate colors and natural elements like wood and water.
Yes, water! Two of these incredible suites are featured by a heated private pool in the bedroom, something special for a romantic holiday in Puglia.
The attention to detail of these five luxury flats is the main core of Cinquevite.
Then, the cute terrace where you can have fun in the swimming pool, taking the sun, and eat a tasty breakfast completes the scenery.
Authentic Apulian experiences
Choosing one of these elegant luxury flats as your accommodation means also living a great experience immersed in the local and authentic Apulian culture.
To give a perfect luxury experience, the staff of Cinquevite offers an action-packed stay full of memorable activities.
Bike, rickshaw, and ape car tours all around the narrow streets of Polignano a Mare discovering the famous balconies that overlook the sea.
An unforgettable boat ride along the breath-taking coastline to marvel at the beauty of the alluring and mysterious sea caves.
The traditional fresh pasta and the typical Apulian dishes await you in a cooking class. As well as the tours through the centuries-old olive trees will give you the chance to admire something unique in the whole world.
Then for the wine lovers, Puglia always gives great feelings finding out all about the traditional Apulian wine-making at a local vineyard.
The beauties of Polignano a Mare
In conclusion, Polignano will catch you with its beauty.
The charming historical center, the balconies which overlook the incredible sea of Puglia, the beaches, and obviously the typical food are all the things you’ll enjoy in this little town.
Few steps far from Cinquevite stands Cala Monachile beach, one of the best and famous places of Puglia.
Every year the Red Bull Organization chooses the Cala Monachile cliff to host the most relevant worldwide diving competition: Red Bull Cliff Diving.
Instead, if you’re an art and culture lover, Polignano hosts the Pino Pascali Art Foundation, one of the best contemporary art galleries and museums of Puglia.
To get in touch with the staff of Cinquevite and book one of its fantastic luxury flats, just fill in the form below.
Southern Puglia, the land we call Salento, is the favorite place for Americans who need to change their life. Maybe it’s better to say, who needs to live a good life!
Salento indeed hosts the biggest American community of Puglia. They fall in love with the sun, with the richness of biodiversity, with the lifestyle: slow and peaceful. Almost like California but with low prices!
These were the reasons that dropped Giulia in Puglia, in Salento to be fair. She came in 2016 and opened: At the Aia, a country house famous for its Puglia retreats!
If you’re curious about Giulia’s story and why she decided to change her life by moving from New York City to Nardò, so watch the video below we made with her last summer!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdUoqXkOT98&t=14s
Meditative Puglia retreats
"At the Aia" is located in the countryside of Nardò: a really flourishing village on the Ionian coast of Salento, quite close to the most famous Gallipoli.
It is a wonderful place, surrounded by nature, olive and fruit groves where you can live the best relaxing and meditative moments of your life.
Yes, because the Puglia retreats designed by Giulia are actual meditation experiences characterized by the best Apulian food, yoga classes, massages, acupuncture, and slow living.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHjjqYO9s8o&t=2s
Contact them!
So, if you’re interested in diving into her special Puglia retreats: contact At the Aia and book your stay!
You find all contacts and localization in the form below!
Influencers, travel bloggers, and Instagram lovers, that’s for you: here is a guide to surprise your followers with some of the best Puglia highlights!
This is our selection, but remember that Puglia always gives surprises. While you're traveling through Puglia, you're going to find out a lot of many other charming places to shot and carve in your memory!
Costa dei Trulli Ripagnola
Costa dei Trulli Ripagnola reveals all the colors of Puglia: the yellow mixed with the brown of the field blends with the green color of some sapling. Together with the intense blue of the sea in the distance and the blue of the clear sky. Here we have a potential painting... or your next photoshoot!
The #NoFilter hashtag here is respected: no need for color correction! You will be able to see these typical Apulian buildings scattered here and there in the ground.
Saint Nicholas Jetty in Bari
This is one of the places where you find the true essence of the city, even the inhabitants of Bari and the Apulians love to take pictures of it.
The best time to go to N' dèrr'a la lanze, as we locals call it, is in the morning when the fishermen return from the sea and you can take a chance to taste raw fish. The most wanted shot? People who hold and eat mussels, squid, and raw octopus curls, with the waterfront behind as landscape.
By the way, if you're curious to read more about the Saint Nicholas Jetty or you are staying in Bari right now, this is a Bari city one-day tour with a lot of suggestions by us.
Polignano a Mare
This town is loved by thousands of tourists every year. Here nature and town blendin a harmonious, but at the same time, breathtaking way.
Getting to the Polignano a Mareold town,you can lose yourself in the small streets that lead to the bright view of the sea. Once you reach the large balconies, lean against the railing, strike a natural pose looking towards the blue, and lose yourself in the embrace between sea and sky!
Abbey of San Vito and Domenico Modugno statue
Moving away from the center of Polignano a Mare, you find the famous statue dedicated to the Italian singerDomenico Modugno, born in Polignano. You can ironically imitate his happy look, with open arms immersed in the blue painted blue, as one of his world-famous songs says.
Far from the city center murmur, there is a small quiet corner named San Vito, a district where only the sound of waves keeps company. Here is the suggestive and imposing Abbey of San Vito, facing the sea.
Siponto Basilica
Where once stood the Medieval Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, now there is a wire mesh one, built nowadays. It is a complex but very neat weave that unfolds with arches, columns, and all the typical structures of the original time architecture.
The best time to visit theSiponto Basilica, and take a breathtaking photo, is at sunset. The different shades of light increase the structure size, making it come to life in its thickness.
The center of the entrance can be the perfect spot for a shot for every #Instatraveller. All the surrounding area is filled with history and ancient structures: definitely a place worth the visit!
Otranto - Bauxite Cave
The colors of nature are the right background for your photo in this corner near Otranto. The best pictures portray the protagonists with their eyes turned towards the lake located inside a natural Bauxite cave.
This particular material gives an unusual color to the whole landscape, wrapping it in warm tones. Here you feel like being in the middle of canyons: you can photograph yourself while you are coming out of a rock corner or sitting on the edge of one of them. We recommend a spring or summer day, where the clear sky brings out all the shades –and you can forget the saturation adjustment of the colors in the photo
Poetry Cave
Visiting Puglia is perfect during all seasons, but in summer, its hidden places come to life. Once you arrive at the Poetry Cave • Grotta della Poesia: it seems like you're not going to dive into the sea but in a natural pool. Its round shape makes it an unusual place where you can take a dip in the deep waters of Salento. This place is not far from the Baroque heart of Lecce and the enchanting Otranto. Record yourself while you try a brave (but safe) jump in this crystal clear water from the high cliffs overlooking the sea.
Trabucchi on Gargano promontory
The best time to capture this wonderful place in a photo is at sunset. Nowadays, some of these weird structures are home to very exclusive bars, perfect to have a rich aperitif, but in the past, they were used by local fishermen.
To reach one of these Trabucchi, you have to arrive on the beach: for some places, you have to leave your car and go by foot, as they are immersed in pristine nature reserves. A rare shot!
Celle di San Vito
This little village is the smallest in Puglia, it is special also for another reason: here two languages are still spoken by some of the 150 inhabitants, Italian and Franco-provençal.
The small village of Celle di San Vito is full of flowers, colors, and ancient streets. In the main center of this small town, you can snap breathtaking pictures, looking at panoramas on the balconies that allow you to have a unique and beautiful view of nature under your feet.
An unforgettable journey awaits you in one of the most vibrant and colorful regions of Italy. Just remember to live the moment: you’ll have time to choose hashtags and share all your Puglia highlights on Instagram!
We just have to wish you to enjoy your trip to Puglia and take the best pictures ever!
Please, leave your comments below or contact us from the contact form to know more about these places or to customize a tour for you!
Ps: Remember that you find the section "Your Connections" all the comments or messages you send us, although you can "like" your favorite places and find them in the "Your Faves" section.
Maybe you’re wondering what a Scarcella Pugliese is. In this article, we’re talking about a typical cake we make in Puglia for Easter week. The Scarcella Pugliese is a kind of large shortbread cookie made with a few simple ingredients. You need only flour, sugar, oil, milk, and eggs to make the dough, then adding species and decorations, it will have a better taste! But, before giving you the recipe, we would like to talk about its meaning.
The most famous Easter cake of Puglia
Anciently, the housewives had the chance to bake a large amount of Scarcelle due to the simple ingredients they had to use. In this way, they were able to wish good luck and abundance to all their relatives and friends.
The classic Scarcella Pugliese has many shapes, all related to Easter: braided buns, bells, doves, bunnies, or nests.
Commonly all the Scarcelle have one or two boiled eggs nestled into the dough, as symbols of fertility, and they are glazed and covered with rainbow sprinkles.
How many names for this cake?
The fun fact behind this delicious cake is that we make it in the whole of Puglia, but it has different versions, and most importantly, different names!
Yes, because after deep research, we have found out that almost everywhere the recipe is very similar, except in Molfetta, but the names are various and colorful!
In the Land of Bari, we call them "Scarcedd", but if you look at them in Salentoyou should ask for “Cuddrhure” or “Puddrhiche”, while in Northern Puglia you find them called “Squarcelle” or “Scariell”. Isn’t this so amazing?
Sweet vs salty version
After showing the many names the Scarcella can own here in Puglia, we can talk about the different tastes.
We're going to give you the recipe for the classic one, made in the Land of Bari, but there's a super delicious version typical of Molfetta, just a bit northernmost of Bari and a salty version made in Salento.
The first one is made with the classic dough: made with flour, sugar, oil, milk, eggs, vanilla flavor, lemon zest, and baking powder. Then it is also filled with cherry or grape jam, covered with marzipan and frosting. We ate the Scarcella Molfettese just once, and it was fantastic!
The salty variation from Salento is pretty new for us!
We discovered the existence of the Puddrhicasci or Puddrhiche talking with some friends of ours from Salento.
It is a kind of braided bread bun flavored with orange or lemon zest, pepper, and fennel seeds, always with the boiled eggs nestled into the dough... wonderful! Can’t wait to taste them!
Scarcella Pugliese recipe
But back to us! This is the recipe of the classic Scarcella Pugliese made in the land of Bari. Watch the video below to see all the steps to make a real Scarcella Pugliese.
https://youtu.be/gE3WO-X328g
For 2 Scarcelle 25/30 cm each:
500 gr flour
150 gr white sugar
2 eggs
100 gr seeds oil
50 gr milk
8 gr baking powder
vanilla powder
organic lemon zest
2 boiled eggs
Frosting:
500 gr icing sugar
125 ml water
rainbow sprinkles
In a large bowl, pour flour, sugar, eggs, vanilla, lemon zest, and start kneading. Add oil and milk slowly and mix all for some minutes until to get a soft dough, like shortbread.
Let stand the dough covered with plastic wrap for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the eggs you will use to nestle into the cookie.
Now, roll out the dough until it is 1 cm high, then cut the Easter shapes and 4 stripes that you'll use to make the crosses that block the boiled eggs. Tip: you can print the Easter shapes on cardboard that you can cut and then use to follow as a matrix.
Preheat the oven at 180°, and after shaping the Scarcelle bake them for 25/30 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the frosting. Pour the icing sugar and the water in a small pot and let melting until the glaze is white. Then let it cool down. After the Scarcelle are baked and cold, brush the glaze on them, then spread the rainbow sprinkles.
When the Scarcelle are dry: they're ready! Enjoy!
I hope you will try to bake the Scarcella Pugliese and you’ll eat a very traditional Easter cake from Puglia!
Hi everyone, Roberto here to tell you about one of my greatest passions: picking wild mushrooms in Puglia!
Every year I look forward to the Autumn season: the first rainy days make me so happy and I can't wait to wake up early in the morning, wear my rubber boots and go into the woods to spend as much time as I can looking for wild mushrooms.
If you're a mushroom lover like me, you must know that Puglia is full of amazing forests where to find wild mushrooms and, if you're planning to come to Puglia during the Autumn/Spring seasons you probably would like to know the best places where to find wild mushrooms and some rules to respect.
Can you pick-up mushrooms in Puglia?
First of all, you must know that in Italy you need to get a license to pick-up mushrooms but as a tourist, you probably will not have it.
The good news is that you can easily ask for a daily/weekly/monthly permission in every city hall of the towns related to the forest you would like to go in.
It costs not so much: like 5 euros per day, and it allows you to pick-up up to 3 kilos of mushrooms, not more!
Where are the best places to find mushrooms in Puglia?
Puglia is a warm region for most of the year and winters are not so cold here.
So this means that you will find mushrooms from the middle of October to January and from March to May.
The best areas where to find them are the National Park of Alta Murgia especially at the Mercadante Forest, Monte Cucco Forest, the forests around the Pulicchio of Gravina or at Rocca del Garagnone.
Salento is not the best place for mushrooms, but there're some little areas around the town of Scorrano like Bosco Frasciola, Bosco Fanò, Bosco Signora and Bosco LucaGiovanni.
What are the most common wild mushrooms of Puglia?
There are several wild mushrooms we use to look for, pick and eat in Puglia.
Let's talk about the most valuables.
Boletus' are not very common here, but you'll have the best chance to find them, as well as the Amanita Caesarea, in the Gargano area.
In the end, there's a wild mushroom in Puglia that is the most desired by all of us especially because it's forbidden to pick it up in several areas: Cardoncello.
The star of Apulian wild mushrooms: Cardoncello, Pleurotus Eryngii.
If you're planning to visit the National Park of Alta Murgia, probably you will find the Cardoncello mushroom, which has the scientific name of Pleurotus Eryngii.
It grows on many different kinds of plants like the Thistle, wild Fennel and Ferula.
During the whole Autumn, there's a large number of folk festivals dedicated to the Cardoncello mushroom, especially in the Murgia area.
This mushroom is very appreciated for its nice and gentle flavour.
If you're planning to go hunt this mushroom, be careful, not everywhere it's allowed to pick it up.
Indeed, the Pleurotus Eryngii is a protected species of mushroom and in the National Park of Alta Murgia (where it is most common to find it), it's everywhere illegal to pick it up.
Now you know almost everything about where and when picking up wild mushrooms in Puglia, so enjoy your holidays and your picking!
But, remember to run to the closest Heath Office to let an expert in mycology check the mushrooms you have been picking, before eating them.
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A selection of Castles in Puglia
Puglia has a great history, and over centuries it has been occupied by many governors: the countless architectural and cultural influences prove it.
History enthusiasts will surely appreciate the traces of its dominions revealing almost in every city of this region – even in the smallest town!
Get into the Imperial Apulia starting from its biggest treasure, a selection of the most suggestive and well-preserved Castles in Puglia.
Castello Svevo of Bari
The Svevo Castle of Bari was originally erected in 1131, but it was rebuilt and fortified by the will of Frederick II of Swabia in 1233. It holds inside the Gipsoteca, a collection of sculptures and carvings of the most important monuments and cathedrals in the whole of the Apulia region.
Almost every time of the year you can find temporaryexhibitions inside the rooms of this place full of medieval history.
This Swabian Castle is very close to the old city and the waterfront. You can reach it on foot from Bari main train stations, walking on the famous Via Sparano and then on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, or by taking a bus that leaves from Piazza Aldo Moro.
Castello Acquaviva D'Aragona of Conversano
While outside the Acquaviva D’Aragona Castleyou can still see the large cylindrical tower of the fourteenth century: the main one dates back to the Norman age; if you notice well, it rises on pre-existing megalithic natural stones.
Don't be tempted to get in from the square Piazza Castello, but go to Piazza Della Conciliazione and get the honor to enter through a 1710’s door of Baroque style. Inside the Castle, you can also visit the Pinacoteca Comunale, the municipal art gallery that holds the 17th-century paintings of the Gerusalemme Liberata of Paolo Finoglio.
The Castle is in the heart of the city. You can get to Conversano arriving at the Railway Station, which is connected to almost all the main towns of Puglia.
Castello Aragonese of Taranto
With its suggestive proximity to the sea, in 1594, the Aragonese Castle has been essential to repel the Turkish assault. Then, in the years, it has been used as a prison and as a barracks.
The Marine Army has started the restoration of the fortress interior to bring it back to its original configuration: the real first walls and floors will soon see the light. Thanks to military management, guided tours are free of charge and available every day.
The Castle is located on the Small Island that encloses the old village connected to the city center by a beautiful swing bridge, built-in 1886 and then renewed in 1958.
All the island is easily reachable by foot from the Main Railway Station of Taranto that is well connected to the rest of the region.
Castel del Monte
Castel del Monte is an impressive 13th-century octagonal-shaped structure that stands on a hill near Andria and probably the most unique of the castles in Puglia.
On each corner of the Castle, there are eight towers octagonal-shaped as well. The structure has two floors connected with three spiral staircases inserted in like many towers. For its masterful architectural details and for its magical charm, the Castle became one of the prestigious Unesco World Heritage Site.
This Castle is located just 20 minutes away from Andria. We suggest you rent a car and enjoy the beautiful landscapes that surround this area.
Castello Aragonese of Otranto
Walking on the walls of Aragonese Castle of Otranto will take you back in time through the small narrow streets of a typical medieval village, surrounded by thick layers of stone.
The construction of the Castle dates back to the end of the 15th century. The structure has a trapezoidal shape, with a more extended side facing the sea. The Castle continues even in its mysterious underground passages made of tunnels, deep holes.
We recommend you to start your journey from the waterfront: if you have a car, you can park near this area. You can reach Otranto also by hopping on a train.
Castles in Puglia are just a part of the historical heritage of the region.
Plan your trip to the south of Italy now to discover the whole Imperial Apulia!
When you think about Puglia, you seldom think about Daunia Mountains, but you’re wrong: it is absolutely worth visiting it at least once in your life.
We have been hanging around this area many times, but last month we had a very authentic and unique experience in Orsara di Puglia.
We have been invited to be part of a press tour within the project ATLAS Interreg Italy-Croatia developed by Tecnopolis PST, the most important scientific and technological research center of Puglia.
Excited about this proposal, we immediately agreed, and we started this daily journey in this little village famous for its traditions and culture.
Experience tour
A daily trip among cheese and pasta making, edible plants, and good food
Our trip started in Bari, but when we finally arrived in Orsara di Puglia, there was a worldwide famous chef waiting for us: Peppe Zullo, which actually made Orsara di Puglia very popular as well.
Peppe Zullo is a very kind and smart chef who runs one of the best restaurants in Puglia, where every day builds the match between tradition and innovation on the route of healthy food.
He takes care of its large vegetable garden, its animals, and vineyards. Indeed, before cooking, he has just to pick up some vegetables and spontaneous edible plants from its garden.
Moreover, he can provide meat, dairy products, and fantastic wine.
Our journey with him gets started in a cheese factory where the dairymaid made for us mozzarelle, scamorza, and caciocavallo, three relevant kinds of cheese in the Apulian food panorama.
Then, he also offered a ricotta cheese tasting on a slice of fresh and fragrant bread, something genuine and delicious.
Peppe Zullo is very famous for its Italian temperament and for its positive and business-oriented mindset.
We had a taste of this when he brought us to the vegetable garden where he took at least two hours in a passionate talk about the spontaneous edible plants: borage, chicory, mauve, thyme, and many others.
After being surrounded by its incredible garden at Villa Jamele, in a few minutes, we got to the restaurant. Here we also learnt how to make fresh pasta: orecchiette, cavatelli, and cicatielli so our food experience began with starters and a glass of rosé wine.
The oldest bakery of Puglia
The next stop in our experience tour was at the Pane e Salute bakery: the oldest communal bakery in Puglia.
It has been for a long time a straw-burning oven, but nowadays it’s a wood-burning oven.
But what’s a communal bakery?
In Puglia, there’s a fascinating tradition born during the postwar period: at that time, to have a private oven was a luxury good, something only rich people had the pleasure to get.
So, towns and villages were full of communal bakeries. Our grandmas were used baking their bread, pizza, focaccia, or baked pasta in the shared bakeries, which were available, and gave this service in return for some cents.
In this fantastic land, as Puglia is, there’re still some of these communal ovens, even in the most important towns like Foggia, Bari, or Lecce.
Those are still active: some as cultural associations, some others as properly companies which give the opportunity yet to citizens to cook their meals in a wooden oven, which means: an added value talking about taste.
Pane e Salute was an incredible surprise for us. We were really amazed by listening to its story.
They still use a two hundred old starter for making bread and pizza, and it was the best pizza ever eaten so far.
We live far away from Orsara di Puglia, but we promise ourselves to come back soon to eat again that pizza, it’s worth it!
So, if you’re traveling to Puglia, consider the option to visit also the Daunia Mountains and Orsara di Puglia, and not only the most famous and crowded places on the travel guides.
First: if your journey starts from the Karol Wojtyła International Airport of Bari, take the train to the Main Train Station of Bari.
Second: from the Main Train Station of Bari get the train to Foggia.
Third: when in Foggia, take the train or the bus to Orsara di Puglia, find here the perfect train following your needs.
Instead, if you're by public transportation is a bit more intricate, but still possible if it's a weekday.
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As you probably yet know, Puglia is well known for its food, but there are some specialties that, more than others, are important to know if you’re planning to walk around our region. We’re about to reveal to you the magic world of street food in Puglia!
6 specialties of street food in Puglia
Focaccia
Focaccia is a leavened baked bread and seasoned with tomatoes, olives, oregano, and extra virgin olive oil.
Walking around Puglia, you may find different kinds of Focaccia: for example, in Bari, the tradition wants it to be thin, while in Altamura, it’s taller.
In Salento (the southernmost part of Puglia), Focaccia is made from two layers of dough or mashed potatoes filled with black olives, tomatoes, and onions. We suggest you choose your favorite one tasting them all!
I wrote an article about how to make Focaccia Barese with the traditional recipe if you want to learn how to make it before coming to Puglia
Panzerotto
The Panzerotto is another gastronomic specialty that you can find in the bakery as street food in Puglia.
We’re talking about a circle of filled dough, closed on itself to form a half-moon. The traditional one is filled with tomato and mozzarella, but you can also find it filled with meat, ricotta cheese, onions, or any other ingredients.
But, if you’re in Salento and would love to taste a Panzerotto, ask for aCalzone!
Rustico Leccese
The Rustico is typical of Lecce and it’s a crispy dough of puff pastry stuffed with béchamel, tomato, and mozzarella. Locals eat it from breakfast to dinner.
Puccia
Puccia is a stuffed bun made of the same pizza dough.
In Lecce, it is usually stuffed with vegetables like aubergines, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, wild chicory, and cheese. While in Taranto and Foggia, it’s richer and filled with meat or ham, scamorza cheese, fries, tomatoes, and salad.
Sgagliozze
One of the biggest specialty of street food in Puglia is the crunchy polenta flakes called sgagliozze in Bari and scagliozzi in Foggia: eat them hot with a pinch of salt to taste the original recipe.
Popizze
Another very simple but tasty typical street food in Puglia is popizze, also known as pettole.
They’re little balls of the same fried panzerottodough, but they’re not stuffed.
Raw fish
Walking along the seafront of Bari, you’ll meet some fishermen that will offer you raw fish to eat right there. Eating raw octopus, squids, and mussels it’s a big tradition in the capital city of the region.
If you’re not used to raw fish, you shouldn’t try it, but we suggest you get a walk between the fishmongers anyway, to breathe the atmosphere.
Sweet street food
Talking about street food in Puglia, sweets deserve a special mention, starting from Pasticciotto, a shortcrust pastry filled with custard and black cherry, born in Lecce.
Another incredible goody from our region is the Passionata, typical from Troia, on the Daunia Mountains. It is a shell of almond paste which contains a sweet ricotta heart.
Once you eat one of them, it will remain in your dreams forever, as the Tetta Della Monaca (the traditional sarcastic name that sounds like “nun’s boob”) a soft sponge cake gently filled with Chantilly cream, typical of Altamura.
If you love street food, in Puglia you’ll find a lot of possibilities to eat salty and sweet snacks, so don’t wait, plan your trip now with us!
Influencers, travel bloggers, and Instagram lovers, that’s for you: here is a guide to surprise your followers with some of the best Puglia highlights!
This is our selection, but remember that Puglia always gives surprises. While you're traveling through Puglia, you're going to find out a lot of many other charming places to shot and carve in your memory!
Costa dei Trulli Ripagnola
Costa dei Trulli Ripagnola reveals all the colors of Puglia: the yellow mixed with the brown of the field blends with the green color of some sapling. Together with the intense blue of the sea in the distance and the blue of the clear sky. Here we have a potential painting... or your next photoshoot!
The #NoFilter hashtag here is respected: no need for color correction! You will be able to see these typical Apulian buildings scattered here and there in the ground.
Saint Nicholas Jetty in Bari
This is one of the places where you find the true essence of the city, even the inhabitants of Bari and the Apulians love to take pictures of it.
The best time to go to N' dèrr'a la lanze, as we locals call it, is in the morning when the fishermen return from the sea and you can take a chance to taste raw fish. The most wanted shot? People who hold and eat mussels, squid, and raw octopus curls, with the waterfront behind as landscape.
By the way, if you're curious to read more about the Saint Nicholas Jetty or you are staying in Bari right now, this is a Bari city one-day tour with a lot of suggestions by us.
Polignano a Mare
This town is loved by thousands of tourists every year. Here nature and town blendin a harmonious, but at the same time, breathtaking way.
Getting to the Polignano a Mareold town,you can lose yourself in the small streets that lead to the bright view of the sea. Once you reach the large balconies, lean against the railing, strike a natural pose looking towards the blue, and lose yourself in the embrace between sea and sky!
Abbey of San Vito and Domenico Modugno statue
Moving away from the center of Polignano a Mare, you find the famous statue dedicated to the Italian singerDomenico Modugno, born in Polignano. You can ironically imitate his happy look, with open arms immersed in the blue painted blue, as one of his world-famous songs says.
Far from the city center murmur, there is a small quiet corner named San Vito, a district where only the sound of waves keeps company. Here is the suggestive and imposing Abbey of San Vito, facing the sea.
Siponto Basilica
Where once stood the Medieval Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, now there is a wire mesh one, built nowadays. It is a complex but very neat weave that unfolds with arches, columns, and all the typical structures of the original time architecture.
The best time to visit theSiponto Basilica, and take a breathtaking photo, is at sunset. The different shades of light increase the structure size, making it come to life in its thickness.
The center of the entrance can be the perfect spot for a shot for every #Instatraveller. All the surrounding area is filled with history and ancient structures: definitely a place worth the visit!
Otranto - Bauxite Cave
The colors of nature are the right background for your photo in this corner near Otranto. The best pictures portray the protagonists with their eyes turned towards the lake located inside a natural Bauxite cave.
This particular material gives an unusual color to the whole landscape, wrapping it in warm tones. Here you feel like being in the middle of canyons: you can photograph yourself while you are coming out of a rock corner or sitting on the edge of one of them. We recommend a spring or summer day, where the clear sky brings out all the shades –and you can forget the saturation adjustment of the colors in the photo
Poetry Cave
Visiting Puglia is perfect during all seasons, but in summer, its hidden places come to life. Once you arrive at the Poetry Cave • Grotta della Poesia: it seems like you're not going to dive into the sea but in a natural pool. Its round shape makes it an unusual place where you can take a dip in the deep waters of Salento. This place is not far from the Baroque heart of Lecce and the enchanting Otranto. Record yourself while you try a brave (but safe) jump in this crystal clear water from the high cliffs overlooking the sea.
Trabucchi on Gargano promontory
The best time to capture this wonderful place in a photo is at sunset. Nowadays, some of these weird structures are home to very exclusive bars, perfect to have a rich aperitif, but in the past, they were used by local fishermen.
To reach one of these Trabucchi, you have to arrive on the beach: for some places, you have to leave your car and go by foot, as they are immersed in pristine nature reserves. A rare shot!
Celle di San Vito
This little village is the smallest in Puglia, it is special also for another reason: here two languages are still spoken by some of the 150 inhabitants, Italian and Franco-provençal.
The small village of Celle di San Vito is full of flowers, colors, and ancient streets. In the main center of this small town, you can snap breathtaking pictures, looking at panoramas on the balconies that allow you to have a unique and beautiful view of nature under your feet.
An unforgettable journey awaits you in one of the most vibrant and colorful regions of Italy. Just remember to live the moment: you’ll have time to choose hashtags and share all your Puglia highlights on Instagram!
We just have to wish you to enjoy your trip to Puglia and take the best pictures ever!
Please, leave your comments below or contact us from the contact form to know more about these places or to customize a tour for you!
Ps: Remember that you find the section "Your Connections" all the comments or messages you send us, although you can "like" your favorite places and find them in the "Your Faves" section.