The Itria Valley
The Itria Valley, the very heart of Puglia is defined by a bucolic countryside dominated by centuries-old olive trees, and by the timeless fairy-tale beauty of “trulli”, the cone-shaped houses distinctive to Apulia, making it the most enchanting part of Italy’s heel. The inland preserves wonderful old farmhouses and picturesque country houses and charming towns such as Alberobello, the capital of trulli, the white gleaming city of Ostuni and elegant towns such as Martina Franca, Locorotondo and Ceglie Messapica with their quaintly narrow streets and unique Mediterranean atmosphere. The coastline of this area is also very beautiful and important for the presence of archaeological site of Egnatia, which contains one the most important archaeological findings in Puglia.
Alberobello
Alberobello the capital of Trulli
Visit of Alberobello with its timeless, fairy-tale beauty. The town is Itria Valley’s premier location to see trulli, the cone-shaped houses distinctive to Apulia, making it the most enchanting part of Italy’s heel.
Ostuni
Ostuni the White City
The gleaming white city of Ostuni sits atop the last hill of the southern Murgia plateau. Looking out from its fortifications, your eye is drawn over a plain full of ancient olive trees toward the crystal blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. While in Ostuni, you will take a walking tour through narrow streets lined with white-washed buildings, ending at the town’s sophisticated Gothic cathedral.
Locorotondo
Locorotondo
The white and gleaming Locorotondo is certainly one of the most fascinating and unique places in Puglia. No wonder that the town is ranked among the most beautiful in Italy. The town’s name originates in the concentric and round shape of the ancient Locus Rotundus, situated on a hill about 400 meters above sea level. Its high position and its “terraces” offer unforgettable views on what can be defined as the most beautiful countryside of Puglia—the bucolic Itria Valley, dotted with trulli, farms, olive trees and dry stone walls.
Martina Franca
Martina Franca
The elegant Martina Franca is located on the hills of the Murgia plateau between the provinces of Taranto, Bari and Brindisi and is one of the most enchanting towns of Itria Valley. Thanks to its quaintly narrow streets and its unique Mediterranean atmosphere, the town attracts lots of tourists. It is known as the second baroque city of Puglia after Lecce. The regional delicacy is the capocollo of Martina Franca, made with local pork and cured according to tradition, matured and smoked with thyme, rosemary and Fragno wood. The Capocollo di Martina Franca has received the Slow Food seal.
Egnatia
Archeological excavations of Egnatia
The archaeological site of Egnatia, the ancient Gnathia, is situated in a beautiful natural environment. The site is characterized by a wonderful countryside and by the sea that runs along the coast; it contains the most important archaeological findings in Puglia. By visiting the archaeological museum, you can experience the ancient Gnathia, part of the history of Puglia with all its prestige, starting from the 13th century BC and ending with the roman age in the 3rd century BC.
Ceglie Messapica
Ceglie Messapica
Enjoy a fascinating walk along the enchanting streets and piazzas of Ceglie Messapica, a quaint town of the heart of the Itria Valley. We will immerse ourselves in the daily life of a typical southern Italian town. Here we will see a medieval castle and the town’s charming central square, “Piazza Plebiscito.” A highlight of the day will be a visit to a very special bakery that offers handmade, high-quality products following traditional recipes. It recently has been noted as one of the “Slow Food” sites in Italy. We will taste the typical “biscotto cegliese,” a special cookie that is made without any flour. Its ingredients include almonds, honey, lemon liqueur, lemon zest, cherry jam, and eggs. The recipe has been handed down from generation to generation, and all the ingredients are produced in Ceglie.
Alberobello the capital of Trulli
Visit of Alberobello with its timeless, fairy-tale beauty. The town is Itria Valley’s premier location to see trulli, the cone-shaped houses distinctive to Apulia, making it the most enchanting part of Italy’s heel. Alberobello has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 and it is a definitely the landmark of Puglia, a unique place that can not be missed while visiting Apulia.
Ostuni the White City
The gleaming white city of Ostuni sits atop the last hill of the southern Murgia plateau. Looking out from its fortifications, your eye is drawn over a plain full of ancient olive trees toward the crystal blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. While in Ostuni, you will take a walking tour through narrow streets lined with white-washed buildings, ending at the town’s sophisticated Gothic cathedral.
Locorotondo
The white and gleaming town is certainly one of the most fascinating and unique places in Puglia. No wonder that the town is ranked among the most beautiful in Italy. The town’s name originates in the concentric and round shape of the ancient Locus Rotundus, situated on a hill about 400 meters above sea level. Its high position and its “terraces” offer unforgettable views on the most beautiful countryside of Puglia—the bucolic Itria Valley, dotted with trulli, farms, olive trees and dry stone walls.
Martina Franca
The elegant Martina Franca is located on the hills of the Murgia plateau between the provinces of Taranto, Bari and Brindisi and is one of the most enchanting towns of Itria Valley. Thanks to its quaintly narrow streets and its unique Mediterranean atmosphere, the town attracts lots of tourists. It is known as the second baroque city of Puglia after Lecce. The regional delicacy is the capocollo of Martina Franca, made with local pork and cured according to tradition, matured and smoked with thyme, rosemary and Fragno wood. This product has received the Slow Food seal.
Arcaeological excavation of Egnatia
The archaeological site of Egnatia, the ancient Gnathia, is situated in a beautiful natural environment. The site is characterized by a wonderful countryside and by the sea that runs along the coast; it contains the most important archaeological findings in Puglia. By visiting the archaeological museum, you can experience the ancient Gnathia, part of the history of Puglia with all its prestige, starting from the 13th century BC and ending with the roman age in the 3rd century BC.
Ceglie Messapica
Enjoy a fascinating walk along the enchanting streets and piazzas of this quaint town of the heart of the Itria Valley. We will immerse ourselves in the daily life of a typical southern Italian town. A highlight of the day will be a visit to a very special bakery that offers handmade, high-quality products following traditional recipes. It recently has been noted as one of the “Slow Food” sites in Italy. We will taste the typical “biscotto cegliese,” a cookie that is made without any flour. Its ingredients include almonds, honey, lemon liqueur, lemon zest, cherry jam, and eggs. The recipe has been handed down from generation to generation, and all the ingredients are produced in Ceglie.
