SELLERS GUIDE 2013 AUTHENTIC & EXCLUSIVE ART & CULTURE FUN & ENTERTAINMENT SPIRITUALITY ACTIVE Lido Torretta, Taranto ph. credit Peppe Allegretta 2 SELLERS GUIDE 2013 Contents 5 ABOUT PUGLIA 17 T.O., TraVel AGENCIes AND TOURISM serVICes 43 ACCOMODATIONS 44 GARGANO AND DAUNIA 58 IMPERIAL PUGLIA 64 BARI AND THE COAST 80 MAGNA GRAECIA, MURGIA AND GRAVINA 87 ITRIA VALLEY AND MURGIA OF TRULLI 102 SALENTO 123 TOURISM SerVICes 137 EASY TO REACH 3 4 About PUGLIA uglia, the heel of Italy’s boot, lies countless events and summer festivals many Pbetween two seas with the Adriatic to of which take place under the starry Puglia the East and the Ionian to the south. This Sky. strategic position, combined with over 800 Puglia is a region that combines ancient kilometers of beautiful coastline, has shaped traditions with modern lifestyle. Glamorous the region’s history and development. Puglia fashion shops are along the main streets of is known as the natural Italian gate to the each town while restaurants offer the best East of the Mediterranean area. Puglia is traditional local cuisine. Stores display food a land of ancient history and civilizations, products from inland and seaside regional archaeological Roman and Greek ruins lie areas, providing customers with aromas and here alongside masterpieces of medieval flavors of the best Food and wines. architecture, such as castles and noble The warm hospitality of the people from palaces, historic quarters and Baroque Puglia makes visitors feel at home. Our architecture. people, known as the Pugliesi, welcome The three UNESCO World Heritage Sites tourists with a friendly smile and a warm of Puglia, Frederick of Hohenstaufen’s heart, calmly providing their assistance to mysterious Castel del Monte, the unique anyone who needs it. Trulli of Alberobello and the mystical The ancient stones of farmhouses converted Lombard Sanctuary of Monte Sant’Angelo into beautiful hotels, the crystal sea, hold centuries of history and culture, the cities of art and the gastronomic stunning beauty, spirituality and priceless excellence of Puglia have won the emotions. hearts of international stars. Puglia is A landscape of green rolling hills showcases becoming increasingly fashionable, even small historical towns surrounded by lush cosmopolitan. It can be easily reached from green olive groves and vineyards. Little the European capitals, thanks to direct harbors alternate with fortresses and flights to Bari and Brindisi. It has become lighthouses along miles of coastline of white a favorite destination of international elite sandy beaches and crystal clear water. travelers. The quality of life in Puglia is The magical atmosphere of our land has fantastic and there’s something to do all inspired many international film producers. year round. Find out more information at Visitors are enthralled by the charming viaggiareinpuglia.it 5 | PUGLIA is | active “Here’s the image we Americans have been sold: For the past few thousand years, Puglia, the region encompassing the heel of Italy’s boot, has been the summer destination for young, happy, beautiful Italians, who enjoy pristine beaches, crystalline water, reliably perfect temperatures, fresh fish and midnight parties held in ancient seaside towns laid out in white stone” Danielle Pergament New York Times hat an emotion to go along the will find an amazing and unexplored Wcoast of the Gargano coast, nature such as the Umbra Forest, passing from the cliffs overhanging the heart of the Gargano National the sea to the expanses of white Park where the mountain bike or the sand, from the Faraglioni of Vieste trekking itineraries are innumerable and Mattinata to the multicolor together with the salt marshes, seabed of the different natural bays. among the largest in Europe, such as Dinner or simply a visit on a Trabucco those of Margherita di Savoia, with an can be a uniqu se and unforgettable impressive colony of pink flamingos experience here. in the humid zone of the Salso Lake Not just the sea, though. In Puglia you oasis in Manfredonia. 6 Saturo, Marina di Leporano (Le) ph. credit AcidiColori 7 | PUGLIA is | authentic & exclusive “Head to the heel of Italy’s boot and discover a region with reasons to celebrate local food all year round. Gourmet heaven, the name is Puglia”. Lonelyplanet riendly, warm, authentic and exclusive white sandy beaches and crystal clear discovering a region in which it is easier Fland. Puglia makes sounds, smells water. The magical atmosphere of our to take the right time to pamper oneself. and tastes more intense as an extended land has inspired many international Corners left unexplored by the usual tours enjoyment in time. A landscape made film producers. Visitors are captured will become the ideal place for an exclusive of green rolling hills showcases small by the charm of the countless events stay for those who look for quality, historical towns surrounded by lush and summer festivals many of which discretion and charm. No coincidence green olive groves and vineyards. Miles take place under the starry Puglia’s sky. that so many are the beautiful location of coastline alternate little harbours Prestigious and charming spa and golf suggested, even for effective celebrations with fortresses and lighthouses to facilities offer a break of pure relaxation, or for unforgettable honeymoons. 8 Wellness Baia delle Zagare, Mattinata (FG) Torre Colimena, Manduria (TA) One of the hundred manor farms of Crispiano (TA) ph. credit Vanda Biffani ph. credit AcidiColori ph. credit AcidiColori 9 Santa Croce, Lecce Castel del Monte ph. credit Vanda Biffani 10 | PUGLIA is | art & culture “Ever since ancient times, Puglia, thanks uglia is a region of art and culture, today as a familiar presence. to this land’s particular Pwith its hidden treasures. It is The Salento area, border and welcome charming to follow, from the Gargano land, where the griko language is still nature and geographical to the Salento, the defensive system, spoken in some of its beautiful villages, position, has been an which, made Byzantines, Normans, together with a unique demonstration essential link between Swabians, Angevins build towers, castles of baroque art, such as in Galatina, continental Europe and and fortified villages through centuries. Copertino and above all Lecce, the the ancient civilizations Apparently there are about 400 coastal foundation of an exclusive and sweet towers and innumerable castles. A great typicality to enjoy among the winding that developed on the contribution was given by Frederick II, streets of its historic district or simply by Eastern shores of the to whom we owe the most well-known losing oneself in front of the facade of the Mediterranean. and enigmatic Castel del Monte. All Holy Cross Church. Between the 11th and the visitors are dazzled by the noble beauty Taranto, a true coastal town. The”City 13th centuries, when of Trani with its rich countryside where of the Two Seas”: this is called Taranto this role was particularly excellent wine and olive oil are produced. for its location on a spit of land that And then there is Ruvo, where the divides the open sea, known as the significant, it produced Talos Vase, jealously guarded at the Great Sea from the Mar Piccolo. The great achievements Jatta Museum, is not to be missed. canal that unites them is surmounted that marked the history, Continuing towards Bari it is compulsory by the famous swing bridge, beyond culture and arts of the to stop in Bitonto to visit it together with which lies the heart of the old Taranto, whole region but also of its Devanna National Gallery. a medieval village with the Cathedral of medieval Europe”. The extraordinary changeability of the San Cataldo, the Aragonese Castle - also Apulian landscape and its culture is known as the Castel Sant’Angelo - and UNESCO perceived by covering its long stretch many other memories tell its ancient of coast. From Nardò, among bays and origins as its imposing Doric columns. cliffs protected by a beautiful marine Not to forget also a visit to the museum reserve, the coastal towers peep through of ceramics in the nearby Grottaglie, at regular intervals, once as the only where the mastery of its artisans is Castel del Monte ph. credit Vanda Biffani defensive bulwark from pirate raids, rooted in a century old tradition here. 11 La Notte della Taranta, Melpignano (LE) ph. credit Carlo Elmiro Bevilacqua 12 | PUGLIA is | fun & entertainment Puglia is much more than beaches, however. It’s about breathing in Italy’s piazza mentality, where life is sipped one cappuccino at a time, and slowing it to a Sunday evening stroll while sampling the local gelato. John Henderson Tampa Bay Times ome and dance in Puglia… riding the beaches which become venues on Cwave of this tune, almost a mantra, the sea shore or in the streets of the crowds of tourists claim their right to beautiful old towns, between small a legitimate entertainment every year clubs and disco-bars. Not to be missed … and Puglia does not wait to be asked the appointment with the Notte twice, instead it displays its best cards della Taranta pizzica music festival, there is something for all tastes! in Melpignano, as it is confirmed by And after a long day spent at sea, hundreds of thousands of young people the long Salento night begins on from all over the world. 13 | PUGLIA is | tradition and spirituality “Puglia can resemble Greece in its whitewashed hill towns, such as Ostuni in the central Murge hills, or Vieste, built into the rugged limestone cliffs above the Adriatic on the Promontorio del Gargano. Or Spain, in the southern baroque style of Lecce. Or the Near East, in the curlicued details of its Romanesque-era cathedrals, almost everywhere. Or it can resemble a world unto itself in the beehive-shaped dwellings of Alberobello” Robert V.