Puglia:
 A Le Collectionist Guide

Like a daydream imagined by a creative soul, Puglia is rich in culture and terroir. Alongside its infamous olive groves, the landscape seems to nourish wild figs and pomegranate trees alongside Baroque churches and Byzantine edifices. Follow us through these unspoilt landscapes and towards the twinkling Adriatic Sea, which has attracted ancient civilisations since time immemorial. 

Perched atop a hill in the Valle d'Itria, the white-washed buildings in Locorotondo stand proudly against a sea of green. Once past the ancient walls that form a ring around the town, take your time to meander through the winding streets. Against this pristine white canvas, it’s the minute details of forest green shutters and terracotta flower pots that will catch your eye. 

A paradise for epicureans, food is treated with reverence in Puglia. From sea to land, the diverse terroir provides everything needed for a feast of kings. From focaccia adorned with thyme to soup where seabream, king prawns and muscles take centre stage, tap into the expert knowledge of our private chefs. 

Distinctive with their conical roofs and limestone walls, marvel at the brilliant white roofs that emerge like turrets from the rolling green fields. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the prehistoric technique of drywall buildings makes the buildings feel as timeless as the land itself. 

Wander down through the ancient labyrinth in Lecce, known as the ‘Florence of the South’. In this time capsule, the native limestone and Baroque architecture collaborate to create a grandiose cityscape. Preserving its past while looking forward, 17th-century churches stand alongside contemporary art galleries. 

Cycle through the patchwork quilts of green fields in Puglia, as the slightly salty air lures you closer to the sea. On your journey, pause to marvel at the traditional masserias, with their whitewashed walls and conic roofs. Then slow down your peddle as you pass by quaint villages, where nonnas rolling orecchiette invite you inside to refuel. 

Since 500 BC, Monopoli has stood guard along Puglia's glistening coast. As the ebb and flow of the tide sets the leisurely pace to your escape, embrace the tradition of slow living. Down the serpentine alleys, laundry gently flutters in the sea breeze and locals take a table outside the aperitivo bars as they have done for centuries. 

The Adriatic Sea, mythical caves, limestone cliffs… The theatrical landscape in Polignano a Mare will take your breath away. The natural environment inspires brave spirits who plunge from the summits of these cliffs into the inviting waters below. However, if you are less adrenaline-seeking, join the company of the locals gathering in the village square for a sunset-coloured Aperol spritz.

Perched along the hillside, this white-washed village radiates majesty with its Gothic cathedral and imposing vantage point over the sea. Wander through the winding streets and then come the evening, marvel as the chalky walls become the canvas for the rainbow sunsets. 

Every building in Lecce seems to be an ode to ornate architecture. These limestone buildings create a dreamy off-white landscape where upon further inspection, the most detailed tableaux are etched. 

On the golden sands at Lido Bambù, become mesmerised by the rippling Adriatic Sea that stretches out towards infinity. From the comfort of your sunbed, order an ambrosial cocktail and then, as the sun begins to retire for the evening, take a few steps to the restaurant and bar where signature Apulian dishes await. 

This small beach club is in constant evolution throughout the day. In the afternoon, bask in the radiant Mediterranean sun then come the evening dance to the rhythm of the guest DJs as the sunset spills over the sea. 

Flanked by two cliffs, this small beach is a haven of natural beauty. The crystal-clear waters invite you to wade in, or if you’re the adventurous type, join the crowds diving from the rocky summits with a splash. 

On this private beach, spend your days alternating between dips in the turquoise waters and drying off under the Italian sun. The only thing that will pull you away from this routine is the aroma of the freshly cooked octopus sandwiches which make the perfect lunchtime feast! 

This picture-postcard beach has everything you could hope for with champagne sands and turquoise waters that glisten in the sunlight. Spend your days with a book in hand or simply transfixed on the impressive vista before your eyes. 

Inside Osteria del Tempo Perso lies a charming bistro-style restaurant where an eclectic mix of bottles, brass pots and artwork mount the white-washed walls. With great reverence for tradition, savour dishes like orecchiette with clams and courgette flowers, all cooked of course with the finest olive oil. 

For a truly extraordinary evening, take a seat inside a natural cave at Grotta Palazzese. One side looks out on the marine horizon and the other on the craggy contours of the cave. Yet, whichever side you choose, your attention will be stolen as soon as the meal is served. 

In this traditional spot, each pasta shape is hand-rolled and perfectly formed. Here, the orecchiette is coated with glossy sausage ragù meanwhile the elegant spaghetti glistens in a simple sauce of extra virgin olive oil, garlic and red pepper flakes. 

Take a seat among locals at Le Zie Trattoria Casareccia where an unpretentious menu allows quality regional produce to shine. Choose between dishes such as stewed octopus, bean purée with wild chicory or chickpea pasta to discover recipes that have been perfected over centuries. 

Take a seat in the courtyard at Cibus, where the climbing plants run up the white-washed walls and form a canopy. At this Michelin-star restaurant, savour dishes like local rabbit in a fresh tomato and olive sauce or snail tortelli with yellow tomatoes and Pecorino cheese fondue. With such an impressive and unique wine list, your server will be ready to advise on the perfect pairing. 

From the soft rounded domes of orecchiette to the elegant twirls of strozzapreti, each pasta shape has a distinct personality. Discover these generational secrets and the technique of pasta fatta a mano, making pasta by hand. It’s like having access to the family recipe book, where each successor has added their hand-scribbled notes in the margins. 

Your little explorers will delight as they race through the seas of olive groves in Puglia. Surrounded by wild beauty, guess the ages of the centennial olive groves, where tufts of green emerge from thick contorted trunks. A relatively flat landscape, it’s perfect for all the family, although when you feel the need to rest your weary legs, a family-run trattoria is guaranteed to appear like an oasis in a desert. 

With their sunbeds, showers, changing rooms and stellar restaurants, enjoy the natural beauty of Puglia’s beaches in complete comfort. Your budding architects can build their towering sandcastles that resemble the leaning tower of Pisa until the sun reaches its zenith. Then, head indoors to savour fresh local produce for lunch, all washed down with a glass of homemade lemonade. 

As the olive oil capital of the country, Puglia’s landscape is saturated with centennial olive groves. Taking their responsibility seriously, you can speak to olive oil farmers who will explain the complex flavour profiles of their liquid gold, like a sommelier talking about the finest vintage. The difference? Best fresh, these olive oils come practically straight from the press.  

In this sun-drenched region, discover some of the vineyard's most iconic reds. If you’re looking for a full-bodied wine at a great price then taste the Primitivo and Negroamaro varieties, where the notes mirror some of the region’s most delicious fruits: black cherry, plum and blackberry. 

At Borgo Egnazia, discover food that follows the rhythm of the seasons yet with a contemporary twist at the Michelin-star restaurant, Due Camini. Then, your blissful afternoon can continue at the Vair spa, where even the massages take inspiration from the Puglian land. Indulge in massages such as U mor (the sea) which seeks to emulate the cadence of the sea, as the heavenly sea-salt candle transports you to the open waters. 

Where the Adriatic and Ionian Seas meet the heel of Italy’s boot, the brilliant azure blue waters lap against golden sands and rocky cliffs. Like the explorers of yesteryear, set sail to discover this meeting point of the Mediterranean. Then at the sun-drenched beaches, plunge into the delightfully warm waters, heated up by the brilliant sun. 

Puglia in summer is a sun-drenched paradise, where the temperatures reach the mid 30°Cs. There is a palpable energy, as teenagers jump from cliff edges into the turquoise waters and laughter seems to be the song of the summer. 

Things to do in Italy in June

Things to do in Italy in July

Things to do in Italy in August

As the Mediterranean sun kisses the wild landscapes, head to Puglia in spring. With glorious weather and average temperatures of 22°C, May is the perfect season for embracing the art of doing nothing. 

Things to do in Italy in March

Things to do in Italy in April

Things to do in Italy in May

Like the summers of childhood, there is an eternal magic to Puglia even in autumn. After September and autumn as schools restart, enjoy these long days and glorious sunshine without having to compete for a prized spot on the paradise beaches. 

Things to do in Italy in September

Things to do in Italy in October

Things to do in Italy in November