Apulia (Italy) – a road trip through the land between the seas
Puglia is located in southeastern Italy and, with its Salento peninsula, forms the heel of the Italian boot. Bordered by the Adriatic Sea to the north and the Ionian Sea to the south, Puglia is often called the "land between the seas." The sun-drenched region of Puglia stretches almost 800 kilometers along the coast and boasts many charming harbor towns. Furthermore, the coast is steep and rocky in places, and occasionally offers fantastic beaches with a Caribbean feel. This diverse region is therefore perfect for a road trip. These places and specialties are definitely not to be missed:
Bari
The port city of Bari is the capital of Apulia . The historic city center is located on a peninsula between the two harbors and is known for its maze of alleyways. It's best to hit the sightseeing spots during the day. For a truly Italian feel, stroll through the alleys in the evening and let yourself go. To get closer to the Italian style, combine a summery outfit with a small , genuine leather shoulder bag . Many cruise ships from Venice usually dock in Bari. Therefore, the port city is often very crowded in the mornings. However, since hardly any cruise ships are sailing due to the coronavirus crisis, it is much quieter at the moment.
Alberobello
Alberobello is an impressive, beautiful town, also known as the "City of the Trulli." Trulli are small, whitewashed houses with conical roofs resembling little pointed hats. It's best to arrive in Alberobello early, as you'll have the trulli and the narrow alleys all to yourself. UNESCO declared Alberobello, with its white houses, a World Heritage Site in 1996.
Gallipoli
The coastal town of Gallipoli is also highly recommended. The town consists of two parts – the historic old town and the more modern new town. The old town is located on an island and is connected to the mainland only by a stone bridge. Particularly worth seeing are the Cathedral of Sant'Agata and the old fortress. Enjoy La Dolce Vita – let yourself drift through the old town, observe the lively hustle and bustle over a cappuccino or some antipasti. Gallipoli is also very suitable for a beach holiday; the beautiful beaches in the area invite you to swim, dive, or sail. The Baia Verde beach is particularly beautiful and, with its crystal-clear water and pale sand, is reminiscent of the Caribbean.
Polignano a Mare
The charming town of Polignano a Mare is the birthplace of the famous singer and actor Domenico Modugno, who rose to world fame with his song ("Volare, Cantare ooo"). The oldest part of the town is perched on steep cliffs above the crystal-clear blue sea. Every year, the Red Bull Cliff Diving event takes place here. Participants plunge from Polignano a Mare's 24-meter-high cliff into the Adriatic Sea. The town also has something to offer for a quiet evening:
La Casa Del Mojito – the best mojito in town
Ristorante Il Bastione – fantastic food with a unique view of the city
Restaurant Grotta Palazesse – who wouldn’t want to dine in a real grotto?
Culinary
Breakfast: Be sure to have a typical Italian breakfast in the morning to experience the Italian breakfast flair. Dress up a bit, take a small ladies' handbag , and head to one of the numerous bars. There, order a coffee. To accompany the hot drink, enjoy a cornetto (a type of croissant, often filled with sweets).
Orechiette: Ear-shaped pasta traditionally served with cime di rapa (stem kale).
Focaccia Pugliese: similar to pizza bread, but with a fluffy crust—traditionally topped with whole cocktail tomatoes and local olives. The toppings can vary, though.
Panzerotti Fritti: Similar to the Neapolitan calzone, only they are deep-fried instead of oven-baked. These small, half-moon-shaped pastries are filled with mozzarella and tomato, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
We think a road trip through southeastern Italy is a change from the typical Italian seaside vacation. It gives you the opportunity to experience much more of Italy's culture and sample not only pizza, but many other Italian culinary highlights.
(By the way: For a road trip we recommend a brown leather travel bag , which fits in every Italian car ;) ).
Your myBagFactory team
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