Our most favorite patio so far!
The next step of our adventure takes us to Southern Italy. We loved our previous trip to Northern Italy a number of years ago, but had never ventured south of Rome. So, with a desire to experience somewhere new, I started researching the area and decided there was plenty to see. Ever heard of Puglia? Neither had I. But our first stop was flying into Bari, Italy which lies on the east coast of the region. As soon as we landed, we picked up our rental car and headed out of the city to our farm-stay near Locorotondo. Of course, our plane was late, and picking up a brand-new rental car, navigating an unfamiliar city, and then driving tiny country roads as night drew near to a new destination is just more of the adventure.
Our kitchen loaded with treats from the landlord on arrival.
Fortunately, the wife of our host was waiting for us when we arrived. Unfortunately, she didn’t speak a word of English. However, me with Google translate and Thom with his PocketTalk translator managed to communicate. This delightful woman left us warm focaccia bread, a homemade custard pie and baskets of biscuits and cookies. Best of all was a bottle of local wine in the fridge. We then relaxed on one of our favorite patios of all.
After staying mostly in larger cities in Spain we were ready for the country and spent a couple of days just hanging out at our property. Surrounded by olive and fruit trees it was a perfect place to relax. And while most of the fruit wasn’t ripe. It WAS cherry season. So amazing to see trees full of ripe cherries all through the countryside. And yes, our landlord provided us with two big bowls of fresh picked cherries.
Seaside in Polignano a Mare
Of course, we had to check out the little town of Locorotondo, which is considered one of the prettiest hilltop towns in Italy. Another trip was to the small seaside town of Polignano a Mare. Next was the nearby Alberobello which is famous for its trulli buildings. Although we were staying in a renovated trulli, and the countryside is dotted with them, Alberobello is the only inhabited center with an entire district of trulli. So, it is considered the cultural capitol of the trulli of Valle d’ Itria. The history of how and why they were created and still exist is fascinating if you want to explore more on Google.
One of the streets in Alberbello
The Sassi Stone Church in Matera.
Dinner in a Sassi Cave
We stayed in our farm style trulli for a week and left feeling completely relaxed. Then on to the town of Matera. Matera is an ancient city and is considered the oldest continually inhabited settlements in history dating back to Paleolithic period. Why here? Likely because a portion of it lies along a ravine covered with caves where people lived 7,000 years ago. The oldest neighborhoods are known as Sassi and are a series of grottos carved out of limestone and hover on the edge of the ravine. Most are now converted to livable homes, hotels and restaurants but some are clearly in their original state. Again, the history of Matera and the Sassi is fascinating for those who want more.
I am including a couple of more photos in this post because we saw so much that deserved to be shared! From Matera we head next to the west coast of Southern Italy. Ciao until next time!
(Note: If you want larger versions on the photos just double-click on them!)
Looks like one great trip! I have Italy on my bucket list.
Hi Mitch! Thank you. Italy is definitely a wonderful place to visit–just try to stay long enough to see as much as possible. Hard to choose which is best. ~Kathy
That place is something …esp. the restaurant! We’re headed to Wisconsin. Not nearly as exotic, but also has great cherries. Continue enjoying your travels!
Hey Tom! Seeing all the fruit trees is amazing for those of us who live in the desert. Just sad that we missed the majority of fruit being grown there–but darn those cherries were good! I’m guessing Wisconsin has a lot of fruit trees too. I hope you will be able to enjoy those during your trip. And yes, that restaurant was very good and one of the few where we’ve eaten inside (most of the time we are on patios) so I HAD to include a photo. ~Kathy
What a wonderful area. That Airbnb was the best! You are doing great picking these out. The hospitality of the landlords was incredible. So many goodies! 🙂
I have heard of Puglia, mainly because another blogger I follow posted about this area last year and I have a good Italian-American sailor friend, who is now thinking of moving there with his partner. So, maybe I will visit there one day as well.
Hi Liesbet! Thanks. I do quite a bit of research about where to stay and so far they have all been great. Some not quite as “good as the photos” and others like this are even better. We are doing our best to try to “flow” with the situation because as you know, things happen. But when we remember how very fortunate we are to be able to travel and experience these things, that helps make it all very worth while. And I’m not surprised about your friend thinking of moving here. There are some expats here, mainly UK and northern Europe, but very few from the U.S. Definitely worth putting on your travel list! ~Kathy
Hi, Kathy and Thom – You had me sold on this portion of your trip even before the warm focaccia bread (however, that did help to seal the deal even further).
I am delighted that you are having such a warm trip and look forward to a Zoom call catchup once you return.
Hi Donna! Ha! Did you mention the fact that our trip was “warm” because your recent adventure looked a bit chilly? I think that learning to live with whatever weather is “happening” is going to be an ongoing experience for all of us who travel don’t you? Fortunately, coming from a place so warm this time of the year we know how to plan our days around cooler weather. Oh, and doing siesta (or riposo as it’s known in Italy) has easily become a habit for avoiding the heat of the day. And yes to a Zoom call one of these days! Lots to catch up on. ~Kathy
Oops – that was suppposed to say ‘wonderful’! This is why I am still on my blogging break for a few more days. Too many distractions on my end!
Ahhh…it is warm AND wonderful! And I know what you mean about distractions. Hope all is well on your end. ~Kathy
Wow–thanks again for sharing pics and experiences..looking forward to more…
Glad you liked them Gary!
Oh man, I don’t think I’d want to leave such a beautiful place! I’ve not been to southern Italy but now, it’s on the (ever-expanding) list. I’m glad you are taking a few moments now and then to share your adventure and photos.
Hi Janis! Glad you are enjoying my narration. When you follow me on Facebook you get to see a lot more of our photos but it’s sorta fun to add a bit of narrative to where we are. Of course there have been a “few” issues in the last six weeks, so no travel is without incident. But Thom convinced me that we’ll have to do a blog post with just “those” at some point of the trip. Still, I would encourage any traveler who enjoys seeing interesting and beautiful parts of the world to explore Southern Italy if given the chance. ~Kathy
I think Thom’s idea is a good one. Most (probably all) trips are not issue-free and learning how to deal with the challenges makes us better travelers.
Yes I’m sure there will be one at some point. And you know what, some of those “issues” end up making the best stories when it is all said and done. 🙂
There is so much beauty in Italy and I think you found a little treasure in that farm house. And how nice she was there to greet you with treats. Like you, we’re fascinated with history so I am sure you’re going to thoroughly enjoy exploring Southern Italy. It looks amazing!
You look so relaxed in your chair and what great scenery to sit among. I am sure the cherries were amazing! Being freshly picked and all. Looking forward to more of your travels!! Enjoy!
Hi Debbie! Yes it was a very nice and pleasant time. I had envisioned us driving all over the region to see things, but we were so happy with our place we stayed put most of the time. While we do feel like we are moving around a bit, every time we see one of those tour buses go by we realize that having 5-7 days in one place is a real luxury. So far so good! ~Kathy
Kathy — what a great trip! I’d love to see southern Italy, but it’s hard dragging my husband from his favorite city, Florence. This spring, I struck a deal with him: ten days in Florence for a week in Rome, just to expand our horizons. Your visit to the south looks fabulous. If you want to soak in Matera, watch the mystery series on MHZ called Imma Tattaranni. We think it’s funny and oddly sweet, and the scenery around Matera makes for spectacular photography. Best, Nancy
Hi Nancy! Thanks for the referral about Matera. I don’t get that channel but I’ll look for the show. And poor you only getting to Florence and Rome (hahaha!) Those are great places to visit for sure and when you find places you love it is hard to not want to return so I get the desire. We will eventually end up in Rome for four days before we fly to Portugal (and yes we loved Rome the first go around so want to get a bit more of it before we go.). ~Kathy
Kathy, this is a truly unique and interesting place. I think it is my favorite part of your travels to date. The farm-style trulli looks like the perfect place to relax with all the comforts of home, a beautiful garden, and a gracious host. Enjoy
Hi Suzanne! Yes it was a pleasant surprise and such a perfect transition into Italy after Spain. I didn’t really include any really relaxing places in Spain so the timing was just right. And yes our hosts were great. The only downside to being in the country and at springtime was the pollen which drove Thom a bit crazy! But we were VERY grateful there were no mosquitos because I’m betting at certain times of the year they could be a problem. We definitely recommend it as a destination. ~Kathy