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Lecce is the 'Florence of the South', famous for its Baroque that fills every corner. The tip is to get lost in the old town: Piazza del Duomo and the Basilica of Santa Croce, with their pietra leccese decorations, are unmissable.
If you love contemporary art, Progetto, run by our friend Jamie, is the perfect gallery for temporary exhibitions.
For a coffee or a quick snack: Filiera offers specialty coffee in the morning, small plates and bistrot in the evening. For an aperitivo or cocktail, Quanto Basta is the go-to spot with a cosy atmosphere and well-crafted drinks.
For dining: Le Zie or Le Tre Rane, two restaurants where Salentine cuisine meets modern dishes.
The old town is worth a stroll. Stop at Caffè Parisi in Piazza Salandra or at Terrarossa for ceramics. Porto Selvaggio is a nature reserve with panoramic trails and hidden coves. For dinner: Petricore for contemporary cuisine or Osteria Corte Santa Lucia for traditional dishes.
Our favourite restaurant is Taverna del Porto, with sea views and a kitchen that never disappoints.
Matera is a city like no other, a place where time seems to have stopped. Famous for its ancient Sassi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers a landscape carved into rock that tells centuries of history. Walking through the winding alleys means immersing yourself in a labyrinth of stone.
The Cathedral of Matera, with its commanding position, offers one of the most evocative views of the Sassi Barisano and Caveoso.
Nature lovers can venture to the Gravina, the canyon that embraces the city. Nearby, the famous trulli tell the magic of ancient rural constructions.
For lunch or dinner: Osteria al Casale is almost obligatory. The cuisine is simple and genuine, made with local products and recipes that respect the rhythms of the land.
The Sextantio welcomes guests in its albergo diffuso, where ancient caves become rooms wrapped in an intimate, timeless atmosphere.
Ostuni is a white city suspended between sky and olive trees. Its Cathedral, with its Gothic-Romanesque façade, dominates the rooftops of the old town. Walking through the alleys means getting lost in a maze of light and vistas.
Burro Café is Alessio's coffee shop, where specialty coffee takes centre stage. It's the ideal place to start the day in the heart of the city.
For food and wine lovers: AcquaSanta Ostuni and Sommarco in Carovigno are essential stops with natural wines and a warm, familiar atmosphere.
Nearby Carovigno and Ceglie Messapica hold an ancient culinary tradition. In Ceglie, Al Capitolo is a must-try restaurant.
For a seaside lunch or dinner: Miramare da Michele in Torre Santa Sabina, or Principe del Mare and Momò in Savelletri. The seafood appetisers are a feast for the senses, served by the water.
For a more authentic atmosphere: Osteria Le Monacelle and Osteria del Tempo Perso in Ostuni offer the warmth of traditional cuisine.
Locorotondo is a small gem in the heart of the Valle d'Itria, recognisable for its white houses. Walking through the narrow streets, adorned with flowers and wrought-iron balconies, is like stepping into a Mediterranean painting.
From here, in a few minutes, you can reach Alberobello, the famous city of trulli. Don't miss the Trullo Sovrano and Rione Monti, an intertwining of over a thousand trulli.
For lunch: Terra Madre, a restaurant where the connection to nature is tangible. Every dish is born from fresh, organic ingredients from the garden.
In the afternoon, reach Martina Franca, elegant and rich in charm, with its Baroque centre. The narrow streets open onto vistas that alternate art and everyday life.
A few kilometres away: Cisternino with its authentic, convivial soul. The famous bombette at Zio Pietro are an unmissable experience.
Grottaglie is the beating heart of Puglian ceramics, a place where earth transforms into art and tradition. In the famous Ceramics Quarter, workshops carved into stone tell centuries of handed-down knowledge.
The workshops of Antonio and Nicola Fasano are among the most representative. Here, classic and contemporary forms are born, colours evoking the sea and the warmth of the earth.
A new generation is represented by Martedì, a young artist who interprets ceramics in a more textural, contemporary way, letting imperfection become a distinctive mark.
Not to miss: Art Gallery Studio Cromie, run by my friend Angelo. The space hosts exhibitions and contemporary art projects, creating a dialogue between tradition and innovation.
Every day in Puglia deserves to be dedicated to the sea and nature. The coasts of Monopoli and Polignano a Mare offer an extraordinary panorama of cliffs and coves, perfect for those seeking sun, relaxation, and a dip in the deepest blue.
If you love wilder places: the nature reserves of Torre Pozzelle and Torre Guaceto are a small paradise with trails immersed in Mediterranean scrubland, golden dunes, and pristine beaches.
At Torre Pozzelle, treat yourself to a stop at Baretto Framari for a simple aperitivo: a glass of fresh wine, the scent of the sea, and the sun setting on the horizon.
Don't miss Grotta della Poesia, Otranto, Torre di Sant'Andrea, and La Baia dei Turchi — among the most evocative places in the region, where nature meets legend and every gaze is lost in the blue.
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