Puglia is a gentle land of immense character and a wealth of architectural sights and glorious scenery, on the coast and in the interior. One of the most startling impressions of Puglia must be the contrasting colours of azure and white, enhanced by the green of olives and vines. Typical sights must be the trulli, the low lying white-washed houses with beehive-like conical grey roofs, flat fields of grain, olives and vines and here and there perfect examples of mediaeval castles or splendid Byzantine-influenced Norman churches and cathedrals. Red chillies can be seen drying from the wrought-iron balconies of white-washed houses in the villages. Broom and mint grow wild in the fields. The coastline of Puglia is noted for its long sandy beaches and the beauty of the hilly Gargano peninsula with bays sheltering beneath dramatic cliffs - a stunning location for your holiday.
Local highlights
Cultural Highlights
The cultural highlights of Puglia are to be found in the quality of the Norman religious and secular architecture and the Baroque of Lecce in particular. Highlights include in Lecce the church of Santa Croce begun in 1549 by Gabriele Riccardi and with a magnificent 17th Century facade, the loggia of the 15th Century Palazzo Vescovile, the Duomo rebuilt by Giuseppe Zimbalo (lo Zingarello) and the church of Santi Nicola e Cataldo (the most important Romanesque church in the Salentine). Bari possesses the Basilica di San Nicola, one of Puglia`s first great Norman churches.The 15th Century frescoes in the church of Santa Caterina d`Alessandria in Galatina are of particular merit. In Bitanto`s Romanesque cathedral is an Ambo by Maestro Nicola dating from 1229 with a bas-relief showing Frederick II and his family.
Festivals
Martina Franca holds the Festivale della Valle d`Itria in late July early August. Bari holds a historical parade of St Nicholas on 7-10 May and a processsion on the sea. Galatina has a curious tradition coinciding with the Feasts of Saints Peter and Paul on 28-29 June as tarantism has survived here. Lecce has a feast for the patron saints of the city on 24 to 26 August.
Gastronomy
Olive oil is produced in enormous quantities and this together with local fruit, wine and seafood feature in the regional gastronomy. Specialities include Foccacia bread flavoured with olives, fennel and chicory, Panzerotti (pasta with anchovies, capers and strong ricotta cheese), Tiella di Cozze (rice, potatoes and mussels), Melanzane alla campagnola (aubergines roasted and soaked in oil, garlic and basil). Dried pasta of all sorts of shapes and sizes is also a regional speciality. Puglia also is a great wine producer. A light red is produced at Cerignola and a robust red at Bari. Red Primitivo del Salento or di Manduria are well known.
Getting out and about
Explore the Gargano peninsula with its dramatic coastline of coves and cliffs, beaches and forested interior. Take a boat trip to the Tremiti islands off the coast of the Gargano.The Salentine peninsula should be discovered for its vineyards and olive groves, megalithic remains and grottoes. The Trulli are one of the outstanding architectural features of Puglia: houses of obscure origins with white-washed lower portions and grey conical roofs. Grotte di Castellanata.
Travel arrangements
By Air: Airports at Bari and Brindisi. The closest airport for a direct flight from London is Bari with British Airways. 'No frills' airlines fly into Bari and Brindisi.
Hire cars: We include a hirecar with all our holidays to Puglia. There is no additional charge for collecting your car from one place and returning it to another. See page 185 for full details on car hire.