Puglia Unwrapped

Three days in Puglia… a bit of a whirlwind, a lot of pasta, and somehow it still felt like we slipped into a slower, softer way of living.

We based ourselves in a trullo in Alberobello, which sounds like something out of a fairytale and, honestly, kind of is. White stone, cone-shaped roof, and just enough charm to make you briefly consider never going home.

We arrived via Monopoli, spending our first few hours wandering its old town & eating at a local, authentic Osteria.

Think sun-bleached buildings, little fishing boats bobbing in the harbour, and that laid-back coastal energy Italy does so well. It was the perfect gentle start. No rush, no plan, just a wander and a quiet “we’ve arrived” moment.

Then Puglia really got going.

Our first proper morning started at a little trattoria in Alberobello. Breakfast, but not as we know it. Fresh, simple, and somehow tasting better because you’re sitting in a garden in southern Italy instead of rushing out the door with a coffee in hand.

Every good trip seems to have a character, and this one came in the form of a very charming Italian whose name is ...Alexandro. We were picked up in his grandmother’s vintage “taxi”, which immediately set the tone. This was not going to be your standard tour; it was bumpy and tight-fitting, but true to form of the surroundings.

He took us to his family orchard, welcomed us like old friends, and even invited us into his own trullo home. Heated floors, a pool, the whole thing effortlessly stylish without trying too hard.

From there, we visited a traditional masseria where another family welcomed us straight into their kitchen. No formalities, no fuss. Just flour on the table, hands in dough, and a lot of laughter as we attempted (and mostly failed) to master the art of fresh pasta, focaccia, and mozzarella.

But the highlight wasn’t the making. It was sitting down together afterwards, eating what we’d created. It felt less like a class and more like being invited to lunch at a friend’s house. Warm, chaotic in the best way, and completely unforgettable. We explored the farm, met the cows, including a calf that was literally one day old.

Back to our trullo for a short rest.

That evening, we headed to Martina Franca. Elegant, a little romantic, all white buildings and winding streets that seem designed for aimless wandering. The kind of place where you lose track of time, pop into little shops you don’t need, and end up at dinner at a beautiful, authentic, family-owned restaurant where a succulent steak was devoured.

Alessandro returned later to take us home, patiently tolerating our enthusiastic (and questionable) 80s singalong. A true professional.

Day two began much the same. Breakfast in the little Trattoria - fresh and tasty.

We set off again, first stop Ostuni. The “White City,” and it absolutely lives up to the name. A maze of whitewashed streets, flowers spilling from balconies, and views that make you stop mid-step. We wandered, we admired, and yes, there was gelato.

From there, another masseria. This time for a long, relaxed lunch surrounded by olive groves. Everything fresh, everything local, everything paired with wine that somehow keeps refilling your glass when you’re not looking. Simple, but perfect.

Locorotondo followed, and it might just be one of the prettiest places I’ve ever seen. Immaculate white houses, flowers everywhere, and a kind of quiet charm that makes you slow down without even realising it.

We finished the day back in Alberobello, stopping at the trattoria for a little reset. Wine, coffee, a moment to sit and just take it all in before the final stretch.

Because suddenly, it was the finale.

Our last highlight was a visit to a beautiful family-run winery. The kind of place where everything feels deeply rooted in tradition. We tasted local wines, ate food made from their own produce, and soaked up that effortless Puglian hospitality that makes you feel like you belong there, even if just for a moment.

And then Matera.

Completely different, completely unforgettable. Ancient, dramatic, and unlike anywhere else. Walking through the cave dwellings felt like stepping back in time. It’s raw and atmospheric, and you can see why it’s captured so many imaginations over the years.

Alessandro and the team turned what could have been a beautiful trip into something much more personal. It felt like being shown around by someone who genuinely loves where they live and wants you to feel it too.

Three days. A whistle-stop, technically.

Puglia, you’ve been amazing and authentic to a tea