Down in the heel of Italy's boot is the region of Puglia. With quaint towns and villages, delicious regional cuisine, and a landscape dominated by olive groves and vineyards (save room in your case for tins of extra virgin olive oil and a bottle of DOC red wine), it's rural Italy at its best.
With a dual coastline – one side fronts the Adriatic Sea, the other borders the Ionian – there are plenty of beaches to take your pick from. Around Savelletri di Fasano, expect pale sands and cut-glass waters; venture further south into the Salento peninsula and you’ll find bays that could rival the Maldives.
Puglia offers a raft of day-tripping options, too. Head for historical Ostuni or handsome Lecce, discover Alberobello's iconic trulli houses, or explore the caves near the town of Castellana, which stretch over three kilometres and date back two million years. UNESCO-listed Matera, with its centuries-old cave houses, is also in reach.
