All about Puglia, Italy

Pugila, Italy, is known for its orecchiette, focaccia, stunning beaches, castles, its trulli (conical-shaped historical houses pictured above) and for being the new ‘It’ location. Everyone’s talking about Puglia as the “the new Tuscany” or “the new Ibiza” and you may be wondering why. Keep reading to find out everything about this top location, from how you call a person from Puglia, to the best places to visit in Puglia and how do you pronounce “Puglia.”

Why is Puglia so popular?

Puglia is popular for many reasons, let’s look at them one by one:

The food is arguably some of the best in Italy

Puglia is where focaccia, panzerotti (fried calzones), burrata and mozzarella were invented, that’s right invented. Point made. Not to mention the seafood, the locals will tell you it’s essentially where sushi was invented. From Cozze, to Bari and Trani, indulge in raw mussles, sea urchins and oysters, among other delicacies.

It’s very-vegetarian friendly

Because Puglia was historically a poorer region, meat was a rarity, eaten only once a week. On the other hand, it’s one of Italy’s main producers of tomatoes, olive oil, and fresh fruit and vegetables, thanks to the warm sun and cool Adriatic breezes by night. Because they have such an abundance of fruits and vegetables, people from Puglia eat very seasonally. Farm-to-table isn’t a thing in Puglia, it’s a way of life. When it rains Cime di Rapa (broccoli raab), it pours. So grab some orecchiette, and enjoy some stewed broccoli raab served over it. It’s a vegetarian’s heaven. Another staple of the diet is legumes. One of the classic dishes you will find is fava beans with chicory, a bitter green served with dried fava beans, and it’s certainly delicious.

It’s relatively covid-safe

Even before Covid-19 struck Italy hard, Puglia was an up-and-coming destination, and this past summer, despite the pandemic, saw record numbers arrive in Puglia. But why? You might ask. Well, Puglia has one of the strongest public health systems in all of Italy, including a liberal government who has made vaccination a top priority.

The beaches parallel those of the Maldives or South East Asia

Just google Puglia’s’ beaches and you will be stunned. Dramatic backdrops, crystal-clear greenish blue water, and sandy white beaches that stretch for miles and miles. Those adventurous souls, will love to hike to stunning rocky coves like those at Salento’s Porto Selvaggio or to jump off the cliffs from Polignano where there is actually a dive contest hosted every year by Red Bull.

The Wine

Primitivo, Moscato, Negroamaro are just some of the plethora of local wine varietals that are coming from this wonderful region. Check out some of the wineries in the Salento region, which has some potent reds and fruity whites. Another fun fact is that the farmers make house wine, which is essentially a natural wine with no added sulfites, but you can get it as cheap as 1.20 euros a liter, that’s right more than a bottle of wine for that cheap price. You can also use this trick at the restaurants asking for house wine, vino della casa, and then choose rosso, bianco or rosato, it’s always cheaper than choosing a bottle (and more organic).

The Best place to visit in Puglia

The region of Puglia is divided into many provinces, and while it may seem possible to do it quickly, don’t underestimate the time it takes to do Puglia right. Some of the musts are:

For the beach-lovers: Salento’s breath-taking beaches, Gargano’s stunning coves and the area around Ignazia
For the city-goers, the Must-see cities: Lecce, Bari, Monopoli, Trani and Polignano.
For the nature lovers: Frascone Natural Park, Isole Tremiti, la Selva di Fasano and Porto Selvaggio
For the food lovers: Everywhere and anywhere, but some highlights are Trani, the Gargano area, Bari and Monopoli.

How do you pronounce Puglia? Is it Puglia or Apulia?

Puglia is pronounced “Pool-ya.” Forget about the “g,” it’s as if it didn’t exist. Whereas Puglia is the Italian name for the region, “Apulia” is the English version of the region’s name, but essentially these two names can be used interchangeably.

What do you call someone from Puglia?

Some people think they’re called Puglianos, some people Apulians, but the correct name for someone from Puglia in Italian is Pugliese. And ask any Italian from this region, they’re very proud to be Pugliese.

Puglia offers a wide range of accommodations to meet all pockets, from the luxurious Borgo Ignazia, to the boho chic, Masseria Morosetta. Whether you’re looking to enjoy some traditional Puglia-style hospitality or simply sit back and relax by the sea, or a farm stay, there is something for everyone.

At the Aia is a great option for families, couples and those looking to relax by the pool with poolside dining, farm-fresh breakfasts’, and a great place to relax under the olive trees. Come stay with us.