Puglia, Italy: the new luxury travel trend
Zagare’s Bay is in the Puglia region of Italy. Photo courtesy of Aria Luxury Apulia.
Chiara Tenuzzo, Director, Aria Luxury Apulia, contributed this guest post.
Puglia: Situated on the narrow coastal strip that makes up the heel of the “boot” of Italy, the region’s timeless culture, art and history is becoming more popular as a holiday destination.
As Italy continues to be among the top favorite destinations for tourists worldwide, Puglia, the most loved travel destination by Italians, is one of the few places in the peninsula remaining still untouched by the millions that visit the country every year. With virgin nature, ancient traditions, amazing coastal beauty and fabulous cuisine, Puglia can welcome you all year long thanks to its mild Mediterranean weather.
With affluent travelers becoming wary of pre-packaged luxury holidays, there is a now big demand for authentic travel experiences, according to 2014 Virtuoso Luxe Report. Further research has shown that modern travelers now long for luxury travel destinations where they can “go local” and experience real life in beautiful sites. Puglia’s secluded coastline certainly offers an authentic and immersive Italian alternative to Tuscany and Veneto.
Lecce basilica. Photo courtesy Aria Luxury Apulia.
Puglia’s history
Puglia’s rich history is shaped by many cultural periods – Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab and Spanish. This remarkable historical heritage can now be explored strolling along the baroque city of Lecce, admiring the Cathedral of Otranto, visiting Castel del Monte, and reaching the most iconic attraction of Puglia: the UNESCO World Heritage village of Alberobello. With its traditional dry stone huts and conical roofs, Alberobello is one of the most popular sites of Italy.
Puglia is a seductive holiday destination all year round, each month holding plenty of occasions to have fun and discover the region: the living nativity scenes at Christmas time, the astounding Putignano Carnival, the fascinating Holy Week rites of Easter period, the long-lasting – May to October – swimming season and the numerous festivals, fairs and patron saint holidays.
Puglia’s timeless customs like the Pizzica, a sensual folk dance, the papier-mâché “cartapesta” and ceramic works are wonderful examples of the region’s local history and traditions. Capturing the modern travelers desire for immersive experiences, Puglia is perfect for visitors wanting to enjoy the traditional Italian way of life.
Handmade pasta, Puglia. Photo courtesy of Aria Luxury Apulia.
Food and wine of Puglia
Gourmet enthusiasts will be impressed by the rich and enchanting cuisine available in Puglia. As the historical breadbasket of Italy, the southern region carries on the bulk of the country’s bakery traditions. Foodie travelers are strongly advised to take a Pugliese cooking class to learn the secrets of hand making pasta.
Cooking class, Puglia. Photo courtesy Aria Luxury Apulia.
Wine lovers will adore the region too, as Puglia was heralded a “Top 10 Wine Travel Destination” in 2013 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine and produces about 25 of the high ranked catalogue of “Denominazione di Origine Controllata” (DOC) wines.
Celebrity home owners
Puglia’s beautiful landscapes have attracted A-list celebrities to become luxury homeowners in recent years. The Hollywood actress Meryl Streep is one of many stars buying homes in the region. The Oscar-winner bought a beautiful Masseria, a converted farmhouse, in Tricase Port. The British actress Helen Mirren owns a sixteenth-century home in the Santa Maria di Leuca countryside. Not to be outdone, the legendary French actor Gerard Depardieu recently bought a luxury apartment in Lecce.
Family travel
According to 2014 Virtuoso Luxe Report, three-generation family travels are among the latest trend in luxury holidays. As gathered families are the backbone of the Pugliese culture, there are plenty of activities engaging grandparents, young adults and children in Puglia. From water sports as yachting and fishing, to cycling tours and tourism flights, from 18-hole golf courses in the stunning Pugliese countryside to trekking paths and horse ridings, you and your family members will be amazed to immerse in Pugliese dolce vita culture!
Alberobello trulli, Puglia. Photo courtesy Aria Luxury Puglia.
Puglia has a formidable variety of luxury holiday homes. They include cone-shaped trullis, traditional seaside villas, Masseria farmhouses and elegant boutique palaces. Depending on your personal taste and budget, you can opt for the gorgeous Villa Amaranto, a beautifully renovated farmhouse in the midst of vineyards. Or perhaps you would prefer the elegant Villa Cicale, built in local stone in accordance to the antique construction techniques, surrounded by olive groves. Both luxury villas come with swimming pools and superb gardens and will make for an enjoyable and relaxing stay in Puglia.
Villa Amaranto, Puglia. Photo courtesy Aria Luxury Apulia.
Getting to Puglia
Travelling to Puglia is a simple and straightforward process. The region has two main airports, Brindisi and Bari, served by many national and international companies like Alitalia, British Airways, Lufthansa, Iberia, Air France and budget airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet.
Anyone who wants to discover the real Puglia and experience its rich history and magnificent food culture can rely on Aria Luxury Apulia, the Luxury Puglia Expert. As exclusive UK tour specialists devoted to providing travelers with customized luxury holidays, this company can offer boutique travel experiences that are perfect for all your needs. More details can be found on the Aria Luxury Apulia website .
Category: Italy
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Paglicci Cave, near Rignano Garganico, in the province of Foggia, today is one of the most important Palaeolithic sites in Europe. paleontologists doing excavations have unearthed 45,000 historical artifacts that date back to a period indicatively of about 500,000 years ago.