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Great weather, endless seaside, authentic food and traditions. Bottega Terra guides you round this wonderful Southern Region.
Known as the ‘Heel of the Italian boot’, Puglia region stands out from the rest of the Italian mainland as it is touched by the Adriatic and Ionian seas on each side. Cliff and rocky coast lovers tend to prefer the Adriatic Coast, especially the South filled with cliff-bound beaches and riddled with caves. While those who like to relax with their feet in the sand are on the Ionian side. Often the two realities merge, creating truly characteristic scenarios with a lot of beaches backed by cool pine woods.
Puglia is very distinctive in terms of its look and feel, cuisine and culture. As all Italian regions, it has his own charm and unrepeatable characteristics.
Beaches recommendations by Bottega Terra
On the Adriatic Coast: Torre Canne, Otranto, Castro, Marina di Novaglie, Baia dei Turchi, Torre dell’Orso, Torre Sant’Andrea.
On the Ionian Coast: Porto Cesareo and Punta Prosciutto, Punta della Suina, Santa Caterina, Gallipoli.
The Itria Valley
To charm your eyes and senses, walk through the World Heritage town of Alberobello, on the Adriatic Coast. The town is characterised by over 1,000 Trulli: unique traditional and conical building made of stones, giving a fairytale feel. You can walk inside most of them to shop, eat and stay. The Itria Valley is in the centre of Puglia and is a rolling green landscape full of local produce, traditional food, surrounded by Trulli buildings. Towns like Fasano, Ostuni, Martina Franca and Locorotondo are a MUST visit.
A visit to a Masseria is another insight into Puglia traditions. Masserie are traditional farmhouses that stand serene amidst vast olive groves, typically built in the 16th century. Nowadays many of them have been renovated and converted into resorts, b&b and boutique hotels, some simple and others luxurious. Many offer top class amenities, such as cooking and yoga courses, sailing tours. Staying in a Masseria makes you feel like you are in a special place with a long history, offering you several opportunities to learn more about the culture, customs and flavours of Puglia.
Salento Peninsula
If you draw a line between Taranto and Brindisi, there you have the Salento Peninsula. An appealing stretch of land which has some quite distinctive peculiarities that differentiate it from the rest of Puglia, including cultural sites such as the ‘Florence of the South’: the baroque city of Lecce, breathtaking beaches on either side and unique cuisine. Lecce is less well known and a lot less crowded than its Tuscan counterpart, but more than pretty enough to live up to the comparison. Stop along the way for a pasticciotto, a traditional pastry piped with creamy custard. You will see the locals savouring this iconic treat, found in most bakeries, at breakfast or with their afternoon coffee.
In the surrounds, there are a few rugged and vast spaces that are natural and elemental. Head to a Masseria that produces extra virgin olive oil, not only to hear about their production but also to taste it and bring it home. Extra virgin olive oil from Puglia is a true treasure, a precious food that has a millennial history and a exceptional quality. It is rich in antioxidants and beneficial fatty acids, with several positive health effects.
Food recommendation by Bottega Terra
Butchers in the town of Cisternino: Taste the best meats in southern Italy by walking in any butcher shop you find in the historical and picturesque town centre of Cisternino. Here, the butchers still refine their meat in a wood stove. The tables are all set up along the village alleys, you will just need to sit and enjoy a typical meat platter. We recommend ordering the roasted potatoes and locally sourced greens.
Focaccia pugliese: You will not be disappointed when we say Focaccia is amazing anywhere in Puglia. However, if you are in Bari, we recommend Panificio Santa Rita. This very simple Panificio is located in the charming old town of Bari. The original version only has tomatoes, olives, oregano, olive oil and sea salt. You can alter the toppings as you like to include olives, zucchini, red onion, roasted peppers, fresh arugula, or sun-dried tomatoes.
Orecchiette con le cime di rapa: This is the way to anyone's heart through pasta. Cime di rape is a green leafy vegetable grown in Puglia in winter. This dish is also cooked throughout the world with broccoli rabe, which is not the same. The original dish is packed with flavour and has a rich and unique creamy texture. Most Local Osterias would have this dish to try.
Great weather, endless seaside, authentic food and italian traditions. Bottega Terra guides you round this wonderful, affordable southern region of Italy.
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