To be visited

The coastline from Brindisi to Santa Maria di Leuca.
A number of places are remarkable landscapes and environments, among them the Alimini Lakes, on the Adriatic coast, and Porto Selvaggio, on the Ionic coast. The soil is very fertile, some of the finest olive trees and grapes grow here, and their products are exported worldwide. Its coasts are varied, and can be sandy or rocky, but all have crystal-clear waters. Some of the most renowned locations in Salento for summer holidays (from May/June to September) are Ostuni, Ugento, Otranto, Torre dell’Orso, Manduria, Porto Cesareo, Santa Maria di Leuca, etc. Alberobello and Valle d’Itria with their typical Trulli houses.

These gleaming houses (whitewashed each year) are curious, rounded structures with grey, stone, cone-shaped roofs. They are very common in the Provinces of Bari and Taranto. The origin of Trulli shape is unknown. Although some theories date Trulli back to 5000 years, the most widespread story about their building claims that they were first constructed during the Middle Ages. At that time, anyone who used to build a dwelling on the King’s land was heavily taxed. Bearing that in mind, Pugliesi cleverly devised the drywall stone Trulli with the only purpose of avoiding taxation. Nowadays Trulli are firmly planted and buttressed with stucco. They comprise a single common area and the interiors, though charming, are simple. The rooms are separated by colourful curtains in sharp contrast with the whiteness of the walls. The handmade wooden furniture inside represent the work of the traditional peasant artisans.