Italy
Puglia
Trulli, luxury masserie, crystal-clear sea. Puglia is the new frontier of romance.
Puglia is the emerging romantic destination par excellence. Less known than Tuscany, less crowded than the Amalfi Coast, it has a frank and authentic beauty that wins over those who discover it. The trulli of Alberobello, the white masserie immersed in millennia-old olive trees, the Caribbean-looking beaches of Polignano a Mare, the baroque alleys of Lecce.
Luxury masserie — ancient farmhouses transformed into exclusive resorts — are the jewel in the crown of Pugliese romance. Surrounded by centuries-old olive trees, with pools hidden in gardens fragrant with lavender and rosemary, they offer a warmth and authenticity hard to find elsewhere.
Perfect for
- Couples seeking authenticity and intimacy away from mass tourism
- Food lovers (Puglia has one of the best gastronomic traditions in Italy)
- Crystal-clear sea and cliff enthusiasts
- Those who want to discover a less beaten, more genuine Italy
- Photographers — the trulli and baroque historic centres are of rare beauty
Practical tips
- 1Masserie often offer products from their own garden and olive press — choose these
- 2July–August: beautiful but crowded and hot. June and September are ideal
- 3Salento (Lecce, Gallipoli, Otranto) is magnificent out of season
- 4Have at least one dinner on the Polignano a Mare seafront
- 5Pugliese wine (Primitivo, Negroamaro) is excellent and accessible
Best time: May–June and September–October
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