Puglia is a beautiful region in southern Italy, often referred to as the "heel of Italy's boot". The region is known for its sunny climate, its extensive coastline, centuries-old olive trees and fairytale-like architecture. Its characteristic trulli houses, charming historic towns and rich culinary traditions make Puglia a wonderful destination to explore and photograph.
TENUTA CENTOPORTE RESORT HOTEL
At the end of May, my wife Diana and I travelled to this beautiful region together with our good friends René and Ingrid for a one-week holiday. From Rotterdam, we flew with Transavia to Brindisi Airport in just over two hours. It is a relatively small and easy-to-navigate airport. After collecting our luggage, we were quickly taken by shuttle bus to the car rental company, where we picked up our rental car – a brand-new Dacia Bigster – before driving to our accommodation for the week: the charming Tenuta Centoporte Resort Hotel.
This welcoming four-star resort is set in the heart of the characteristic Salento countryside, surrounded by centuries-old olive trees and just a few kilometres from the historic centre of Otranto. The hotel offers spacious and comfortably furnished rooms, as well as two beautifully landscaped swimming pools set within a large and well-maintained garden.
Tenuta Centoporte proved to be an excellent base for our holiday. Every morning began with an extensive breakfast buffet offering something for everyone, from fresh fruit and yoghurt to local specialities, delicious cakes and freshly baked bread. Enjoying a cappuccino or espresso with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, we could relax and discuss our plans for the day.
POLIGNANO A MARE AND ALBEROBELLO
After a good night's sleep and a delicious breakfast, we decided to spend the next day exploring the towns further north in Puglia: Polignano a Mare and Alberobello. From Otranto, it is quite a drive, but it was a great way to start our first full day while enjoying the beautiful Italian countryside. Driving in this region is easy. The main roads are in good condition and traffic is generally light. If it is your first time driving in Italy, it may take a little getting used to the short acceleration and exit lanes on the provincial roads. Parking can also be challenging when visiting historic town centres, so it is often easier to park just outside the old centre.
Our first destination of the day was Polignano a Mare, a charming seaside town on the Adriatic coast. The town is famous for its spectacular cliff-top views and is a popular destination for visitors, so it was quite busy. The well-known Lama Monachile beach, also known as Cala Porto, an iconic pebble beach nestled between dramatic cliffs, was also crowded with tourists.
Our next stop was Alberobello, the best-known and most visited town in the region. Alberobello is famous for its trulli, traditional stone houses with a circular shape and distinctive conical roofs built from stacked limestone without the use of mortar, following a centuries-old construction technique.
As we drove towards Alberobello along winding country roads surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, we passed more and more trulli along the way. On arrival, we were welcomed by the fairytale atmosphere of the historic centre, a charming white hilltop village with narrow streets and picturesque little squares.
Towards the end of the afternoon, we drove back to Otranto, where we rounded off the day with a delicious dinner followed by a stroll through the picturesque old town, with its narrow streets and inviting squares.
OTRANTO AND CAVA DI BAUXITE
Otranto is one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Salento, the southern part of Puglia. Situated on the Adriatic coast, it is also the easternmost town in Italy. To photograph this historic town before it became crowded with visitors, René and I drove there early the following morning, even before breakfast, to capture its narrow streets in the soft morning light. The sun was already shining over the bay, with its crystal-clear turquoise water and the beautiful white sandy beach of Spiaggia degli Scaloni.
After breakfast, we visited Cava di Bauxite, a beautiful nature reserve just a ten-minute drive from Otranto. This former bauxite mine is one of Puglia's most remarkable landscapes. The ground has a deep red colour due to the minerals found in the bauxite, while a small lake with green to turquoise-blue water lies at the centre of the quarry. The contrast between the red earth, the green water and the blue sky creates a spectacular setting for photography. In the afternoon, we enjoyed a relaxing few hours by the swimming pool.
LECCE
A visit to Lecce is a must during any trip through Puglia. Lecce is the largest city in the inland part of the region and is often referred to as the "Florence of the South" because of its beautiful Baroque architecture. Stroll through its charming historic centre, with its narrow streets, elegant old facades and impressive city walls, much of which have been preserved. And of course, don't forget to stop at one of the picturesque squares to try a freshly baked pasticciotto. According to the Italians, the very best ones are made right here in Lecce.
BELVEDERE DI LOCOROTONDO, CISTERNINO AND OSTUNI
As there were many more beautiful towns and villages to discover in the northern part of Puglia, we once again set off early in the morning to explore some stunning locations.
Our first stop of the day was the Belvedere di Locorotondo. Locorotondo is a beautiful white hilltop town with breathtaking panoramic views over the Valle d'Itria. On the edge of the town, you'll find a small park where you can enjoy spectacular views across the valley, dotted with trulli houses and ancient olive groves. The narrow streets of Locorotondo are just as beautiful. Almost every house in the village is whitewashed. The only splashes of colour come from the flowers decorating the balconies and stone staircases, together with the green-painted doors and window shutters that can be found throughout the town.
Our next destination was the beautiful historic centre of Cisternino. After enjoying a delicious lunch on Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, we wandered through its narrow streets and charming alleyways. Although Cisternino is less touristy and much quieter than some of the other towns in Puglia, it is certainly well worth a visit.
Our final destination of the day was the town of Ostuni. Also known as the White City, Ostuni can be seen from far away and is one of the most famous and photogenic places in Puglia. Its whitewashed houses rise high above the surrounding countryside. From the panoramic viewpoint just outside the town, you can enjoy magnificent views of La Città Bianca. We visited this viewpoint twice: once in the afternoon after arriving and again at sunset. Piazza della Libertà, the town's main square, was the perfect place to enjoy a delicious Italian pasta. From here, you can easily walk to all the main sights. As you make your way uphill, you'll discover beautiful white streets, narrow alleyways and countless picturesque corners.
PUNTA PALASCIA AND SANTA CESAREA TERME
This morning started early. René and I wanted to photograph the famous Punta Palascia Lighthouse, built in 1867 and located at the easternmost point of Italy, at sunrise. By 5:00 a.m. we were ready, waiting for the sun to rise above the sea. The weather was calm and perfectly clear, making it even possible to see the Albanian coastline on the horizon.
Once the sun was well above the horizon, we drove through the countryside around Otranto before returning to the hotel for another delicious breakfast. Along the way, we photographed round hay bales surrounded by beautiful landscapes with umbrella pine trees.
After breakfast, we followed the coastline to Santa Cesarea Terme, about 15 kilometres south of Otranto. This elegant seaside town on the Adriatic coast is known for its dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear blue sea. One of its most striking landmarks is Palazzo Sticchi, a colourful palace built in Moorish style that has become one of the symbols of Santa Cesarea Terme.
Of course, relaxing is also part of a holiday, so we spent the afternoon enjoying the swimming pool.
SPECCHIA
Our final full day was all about taking it easy. We visited the last village on our itinerary, Specchia. This medieval hilltop village offers countless photogenic spots. As its appearance has hardly changed since the sixteenth century, it has retained its authentic charm. After returning to the hotel early in the afternoon, we enjoyed one last refreshing swim in the pool and, unfortunately, packed our suitcases. That evening, we returned to the charming town of Otranto one last time. We wandered through the cosy streets of the historic centre, enjoyed one final delicious Italian pizza and ended the evening with an irresistible gelato.
The following morning, we checked out at 7:00 a.m. and drove to the car rental company to return our rental car. After taking the shuttle bus to Brindisi Airport, it was time to check in and fly back to Rotterdam.
And so came to an end a wonderful week in Puglia. From the white towns of Ostuni and Cisternino to the trulli of Alberobello, from the azure-blue bays around Otranto to the rugged coastline of Santa Cesarea Terme, every day brought new impressions. The combination of culture, nature, delicious food, warm hospitality and the relaxed lifestyle of southern Italy made this an unforgettable journey.
Arrivederci, Puglia!
Below is an overview of all the photographs taken during our tour of Puglia.
Puglia
