10 Memories of Puglia that Make Me Happy
My recent trip to Puglia was a wonderful experience. I had such a great experience, one I continue to share in hopes that I can show you why Puglia makes a fabulous vacation destination.
I have so many wonderful moments and memories, and it’s no surprise that many of them involve Puglian food. It’s hard for me to narrow them down to just ten. But these are the ones that top my extensive list. Perhaps my list will give you some ideas for things to do in Puglia.
Hill town of Ostuni
1. Walking around the old town of Ostuni. Dubbed the white city, it’s filled with tiny nooks and crannies, alleys and lots of steps that seemed to lead nowhere. I loved getting lost here.
2. Trying soft, creamy, buttery, fresh, burrata for the first time. Heavenly.
3. Getting to see the trulli up close and personal and learning a bit of the history behind them.
4. Watching the ladies make (and sell!) homemade orecchiette on the streets of Bari Vecchia (old town), as they do day in and day out. I also enjoyed eating it for several meals during my trip.
Handmade Orecchiette in Bari
5. Visiting the tiny workshop of an older, adorable olive wood-carver, while he explained all about the different cooking utensils he carves and what they are used for.
6. Meeting my fun, knowledgeable guides who spent time showing me around certain spots and delighted me with stories of their region. I had such a great time with them and they were responsible (as most excellent guides are!) for breathing life into Puglia and helping me fall in love with the region. They each had bubbly personalities and a wicked sense of humor; I can still hear their charming English-speaking, Italian-accented voices. It makes me smile every time.
7. Touching one of the millions of olive trees in the region. Running my hands over the gray, knotted and gnarly trunks. Getting to see the plump black olives dangling from the branches. I won’t pretend I didn’t hug a few of those beautiful, ancient trees.
Lovely olive trees in Puglia
8. Stumbling across a gem of a food shop in Alberobello where the sweet owners were kind enough to offer me tastings of local cheese and meats, olive and truffle paste on crostini, olive oil and even a sampling of about five local wines. A truly authentic spot.
9. Strolling along the streets of Trani, and both Bari’s old town and Lungomare at night. Most Italian cities take on such a magical quality in the evening. It’s the combination of streetlights, cobblestones and very tall ancient buildings.
10. My best memory I’ve saved for last. Spending an afternoon with locals in their home while enjoying a lovely homemade meal of pasta with speck, fresh cheeses, meats, wine, taralli and chocolate figs that were delivered fresh from the hosts’ cousin. An afternoon of good food, good friends, lots of laughter and wonderful memories.
Ready to create your own memories of Puglia? Click here to see how I can help!
Friends & Supporters
February 10th, 2012
Great article! Made me feel for a while like I was in Italy
Thanks. I guess I did my job then
February 10th, 2012
Hi Mélange,
I read your story with so much interest, it gives me the idea you really enjoyed your trip and the experiences you had with the locals. Yes the locals…spending time with people is probably the best way to discover this region and get the most of it.
I love the 4th point when you speak about the homemade orecchiette, it reminds me about my granny and how tasty her orecchiette are
.
Marco
Oh, thanks Marco. Glad I could bring up such a sweet memory of your Nonna!
February 10th, 2012
I am totally obsessed with Orecchiette!!! What a gorgeous place you explored.
It sure is good stuff Andi. Both the place and the pasta
February 10th, 2012
You wicked woman! Reading this during breakfast is so hard! Chocolate figs??? O.M.G.
…and now back to my grapefruit…*sigh*
Ha! So sorry Catherine. Just picture your grapefruit as chocolate figs
February 21st, 2012
have a look at Frances Mayes(the author of Under the Tuscan sun) blog – she lives in Cortona & the USA and like you writes extensively on all things Italian …… she’s also on Facebook. I love reading your newsletters and her blogs – puts me in the Italy mood. Have visited many parts of Italy and now having a crack at learning some of the lingo…..must visit Puglia some time…
ciao
Margery
I know Frances Mayes very well, Margery. In fact, she is credited in the bio of my about page for having started my love affair with Italy.
I’m so happy that I have a small part in putting you in the Italy mood! And yes, Puglia is a MUST
February 24th, 2012
Isn’t Puglia wonderful! The people, the food, the trulli — and those millions of olive trees all look as if they’re a million-years old!
July 13th, 2012
How lovely!
As a now Puglian resident I can appreciate all of the above , I wake up each day thanking God that I’ve been brought to enjoy the simplest pleasure life and Italy has to offer, the food and wine here is by far the best in all of Italy.
Keep inspiring us My Melange!
Grace
Grazie Grace – I’ll do my best