In Apulia you will find some extremely cute, little towns filled with lots of history as well as some great restaurants, where you will get the chance to try out some the most typical dishes of the area. But, if there is something that will make your summer holidays there the best you have ever had, that will be, without a doubt, the beaches of Apulia. Many beaches in Italy aren't free, which means you have to pay to access them, but that isn't the case in Apulia. Most of the beaches are gorgeous and the best thing is they are free. The most loved beach there is Punta Prosciutto, thanks to its fine, white sand and the most transparent water you have ever seen. Also, many people practice scuba diving in the area because the bottom of the sea is gorgeous there. If you are traveling with children, you can not miss the Porto Selvaggio beach. It is very close to a natural park and, although you will have to walk for about fifteen minutes from your car to the beach to reach it, once there you won't want to leave it. This beach is ideal for children because the water isn't too deep, which means your children will be able to play carelessly and you won't have to fear them going to deep. But if you are hoping to find a gorgeous beach where you will also have the chance to have a couple of drinks, so you can not miss Baia di Torre Lapillo. This beach is one of the longest beaches in Apulia and in the bottom of the sea you will find some of the most gorgeous coral reefs of the area, so make sure to bring your scuba diving gear or simply hire it once you are there. And if you have never been to the Caribbean, you will definitely feel like you are there once you visit Punta della Suina. Don't forget to bring your camera because you are certainly going to want to take a picture of the beach as soon as you get there. The rocks look impressive and gorgeous while the water is extremely clear and turquoise. You will have some of the most relaxing days on the beach if you decide to visit it. But if you are hoping to go to a beach that will give you the chance to explore a little, go to Porto Badisco. Not only is it gorgeous, you will be able to hire a little boat nearby to have the chance to go around and discover all the little caves that fill this breathtaking beach.
The Apulia region in the south of Italy is known for its unspoiled scenery and relaxed way of life. It is a land of bright sunshine, bright colours, and simple food with bright flavours - the raw ingredients are so good, it's a shame to waste them in complicated fussy cooking. Although the area has taken culinary influences from nearby Greece - notably in the use of lamb - and from it's closeness to Africa and the spice route, most of the food eaten is pasta with excellent vegetables and fish cooked simply. What meat there is is often bought at rosticceria butchers, where it is cooked over coals as you wait - preferably while sipping a glass of wine! Pasta is a Puglian staple, and the most common kind is orechiette, or 'little ears', which is traditionally handmade in vast quantities and served with a simple sauce of olive oil, chilli, and whatever vegetables are to hand. No eggs are used in the pasta of the region, as is common across the southern parts of Italy. The olive oil of Apulia is vital to the region's economy, with an estimated 40% of Italy's total production coming from here, and it is used liberally in even the most simple of dishes. Another staple is bread, made from a mix of durum and wheat flours, with the town of Altamura's bread having a protected status as a regional delicacy. Apulia is well known for its robust wines, of which the most well known is probably Primitivo, and red wines from here tend to be full and well flavoured. There are many vineyards and cantinas around the region, especially in the Salento area, and organised wine tours are a favourite of the area's relatively few tourists who know a bargain when they see one.
Apulia, on the far south of Italy, is more well known for its unspoilt coastline and deep blue seas than for its lakes, and this is perhaps not surprising - as the heel on Italy's boot, the sea is always close to hand. That's not to say that stretches of inland water don''t exist for the visitor who wants a break from the rocky grottos of the coast. Lake Locone, in the north of Apulia, is an artificial reservoir created in the 1980s by the damming of two streams that fed into the Ofanto river, although it has kept the lovely appearance of an absolutely natural lake. It is extremely well stocked with many freshwater fish, ideal for the keen angler, and the area has established itself as a renowned centre for cycling and water sports. Other lakes in the area such as Lago di Serra del Corvo (or Lake Basentello) are also known for their large numbers of fish, and lovers of fishing will appreciate both the excellent sport available and the tranquillity of the almost deserted surroundings. Just over the border in Basilicata lies the San Giuliano nature reserve, with rivers and ravines leading into another reservoir which over the decades has become home to a stunning variety of flora and fauna, with many opportunities for walking in the unspoiled countryside.
If you love nature, mountain peaks, walks in the woods, lakes, streams, wildlife in its natural habitat and abundant flora and fauna, visit mountain in Apulia. This dramatic region has a collection of 25 peaks that includes Monte Cornacchia with an elevation of 3,776 ft. and Crispniano at 3,622 ft. The Italian mountains are not just for winter sports and skiing, there are year round activities to enjoy. Discover exciting mountain bike trails with One-Way trails and loops, fishing, climbing and hiking. Breathe in the fresh Alpine air and taste delicious local cuisine. Fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs are plentiful. There are many festivals in towns and villages of Apulia, that provide insight into local culture and history. Apulia has mountains of the Southern Apennine chain and some high, steep cliffs of the Gargano promontory. There is a flat plain called Tavoliere delle Puglie, which is the the second largest in Italy. Evidence of the regions historic roots, trade between Italy and Greece, can be seen in the fascinating Archaeological Museum in the province Bari. Visit Trulli to see pre-historic domains. There are magnificent cathedrals to visit and in Lecce see baroque architecture.
Apulia in the far south of Italy is not as widely visited as other parts of the country, but the adventurous traveller is rewarded with stunning wild coastlines, excellent weather, and a taste of a country a world away from the tourist traps of Rome or Venice. Not many people know that Apulia is also rich in art and culture, with impressive Romanesque, Baroque and older monuments often standing almost unremarked and totally unspoiled. An example is the Abbey of San Leonardo di Siponto on the road between Manfredonia and Foggia, a church dating back to at least the 11th century. It has a unique hole in the ceiling which captures the sun's rays at important astronomical times of the year. The building is still in use as a parish church. The Civic Museum in Mattinata's historic centre boasts a huge collection of artefacts and grave goods from nearby Mount Saraceno's Daunian Necropolis, while the Giuseppe Andreassi National Archaeological Museum near Egnazi has an extensive exhibition leading the visitor through 5,000 years of local history from the Bronze Age to mediaeval times. In Bari, the Teatro Petruzzelli is Italy's 4th largest theatre built in typically ornate Umbertino style, hosting a rich variety of performances for audiences of up to 1,500 theatre fans. Also in Bari, the Corrado Giaquinto Provincial Art Gallery has an extensive collection of Puglian artwork from the 11th to the 19th century, plus other works from esteemed artists from Venice and elsewhere in Italy.
The town of Tricase, almost at the tip of the Italian heel in Puglia, is often called “The Bethlehem of Italy.” That's because it hosts a living nativity or Il Presepe Vivente di Tricase. Supported entirely by volunteers from civic groups and schools, everyone from children to grown-ups (about 250 residents in total) dress in period costumes that transform the town into a nativity pageant. The tradition was started in 1976 by resident Andrea Rizzo. This free Christmas event is usually scheduled for December 25, 26, 27 and January 1, 4 and 6. Fòcara in Novoli, a small town near Lecce, honors the town’s patron, Sant’Antonio Abate, on the eve of his feast day January 17. The origin of the fire ritual is said to date back at least 1,000 years and is credited to monks from the east who settled in Novoli. The fòcara is a bonfire constructed of olive branches and grape vines in Piazza Tito Schipa. Using a huge ladder to pile the branches on top, the fire builders make a “mountain” as high as a three-story house. Thousands of pilgrims walk from nearby towns to honor the saint. In addition to the bonfire, there are masses, religious processions, food, wine, and musical events.