The Puglia Podcast

Over the past year, we've had the opportunity to meet more and more first-time visitors to Puglia from the States. We've been asking them a simple question: what do you wish you'd known before you arrived that would have made your vacation better?

The answers have been remarkably consistent. And many of them are not understood by US-based travel advisors, which doesn't help your expectations either!

So, rather than simply telling you what we think you need to know, we've built this episode of the Puglia Podcast around what those travellers told us: the things they wished they'd understood before arriving, the expectations that didn't quite match reality, and the small pieces of local knowledge that would have made their trips easier and, ultimately, better.

This is what nobody told them.

Access the companion guide by the Puglia Guys here - Nobody Told Us: Puglia for Travellers from the USA.

Buying a house in Puglia and not sure how to go about it or what to expect? We're often contacted about buying property in Puglia — where to buy, how the process works, and what foreign buyers should know about buying a house or home here. But as travel writers, rather than property professionals, that's a little outside our comfort zone. So, we decided to speak to the experts at Engel & Völkers Salento known as a leader in high-end residential real estate here in Salento (the southern part of Puglia), and let them answer the questions we're most often asked.

This isn't legal advice. It isn't an investment guide. It's a conversation intended as a practical introduction for overseas buyers considering buying their first property in Puglia. Please take independent professional advice.

Ferragosto, Italy's national summer holiday, is upon us. In this episode, we're joined by Puglia travel planner Luca of Puglia With Locals to explain why August can be such a busy (and sometimes surprising) time to visit Puglia and Italy.

At the centre of the month is Ferragosto on 15 August. For Italians, it's a time for family, barbecues and days at the beach. For visitors, however, it can come as a surprise. Some businesses close for their annual holidays, restaurants may operate reduced hours or be fully booked well in advance, and much of the country seems to pause as locals head to the coast.

If you're visiting Puglia in August, planning ahead is essential, particularly around Ferragosto. For more information on the best time to visit Puglia, see our Puglia Guys Puglia by Season guide.

Plus, we look at Puglia's official Top 20 destinations of 2025 and see how they are shaping up this year.

We visit Brindisi, one of Puglia's most underrated cities. Brindisi was once one of the great crossroads of the entire Mediterranean world. Julius Caesar blockaded its harbour. The Roman Empire's legions marched east from here. Crusader armies set sail from these waters for the Holy Land. Virgil, the greatest poet of the ancient world, died here. Shakespeare wrote about it. And in 1943, when Rome fell to German occupation, Brindisi became the capital city of Italy.

Our Brindisi guide has details of all locations and restaurants recommended.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

We visit Locorotondo, one of the prettiest towns in Puglia's Valle d'Itria. We cover the old town's highlights and walking route, the remarkable churches — including what is probably the oldest in the Valle d'Itria — Locorotondo's own DOC white wine appellation, which is significantly underrated, the best places to eat and drink, and the Locus Festival, which brings some of Italy's most interesting music programming to a masseria just outside town every August.There's also a word on Christmas, which Locorotondo does beautifully.

You can find our complete guide to Locorotondo here.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

A little Italian goes a long way!

Italian is a beautiful language. It sings to you, and it's fun to try speaking it back. Even learning just a few simple words when visiting – ciao, buongiorno, grazie – brings a small sense of achievement. It's polite, and shows respect. Most travellers quickly discover that even a handful of basic phrases can lead to warmer interactions and more enjoyable everyday moments during a trip.

In this episode Teresa from Punto e virgola Italian language school in Grottaglie coaches Scott Maxwell, the Puglia Guys perpetual Italian language learner, with some helpful words and phrases. At 16:20 she goes over the correct pronunciation of all your favourite Puglia destinations! No more tripping up over Alberobello, Ceglie, Cisternino, Otranto, Polignano and Taranto...

To see the words and phrases in print, head to our Parli Italiano? website resource. For information on face to face or online Italian courses, as well as immersive Italian language experiences on offer at Punto e virgola, contact Teresa or follow them on Instagram.

We visit Kayla Savino, a Puglia based American luxury travel designer and founder of Storia Travel Club. Although Kayla works with clients traveling globally, her speciality is curating the perfect Puglia and Italy itinerary.

We discover what brought Kayla to Puglia, the cultural challenges that she had to navigate as an American coming to live in Puglia, and the joys of sharing her lived-in experience with travelers coming to vacation in Italy, and Puglia in particular. We talk food, the Italian language and Puglia's best bits. Plus there's some insider travel tips from Kayla for visitors coming to Puglia.

You can contact Kayla via the Storia Travel Club website or email her directly at kayla@storiatravelclub.com - be sure to let her know you heard her on the Puglia Podcast!

For frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia follow the Puglia Guys on Instagram.

Wine tasting in Puglia comes in many forms. Across the region, there are countless opportunities to visit local cantine, where tastings are typically centred on that producer's own wines, a great way to understand a single estate, its vineyards, and its production methods.

An alternative approach is to experience a broader cross-section of Puglian wine in one sitting. That's why we chose a tasting in Locorotondo at Pavì Wine Restaurant. Here, Ignazio curates a selection of wines drawn from multiple producers across the region, offering a more comparative and panoramic introduction to Puglia's wine landscape.

The experience is informal and immersive. Glasses clink, wine is poured generously, and it's all accompanied by excellent local food. Ignazio's enthusiasm shapes the tasting, guiding it beyond a standard format into something more personal and engaging.

The wines we tasted in this episode were from a wider selection curated by Ignazio: Locorotondo Tagaro (white), Costiero Giustini (rose) and Ritunno Nero di Troia Puglia I.G.P. (red).

For more information on Puglia's wine producing credentials, and pictures of the wine we tasted with Ignazio, visit our Puglia Guys Puglia Wine Guide. For information on visiting Pavì Wine Restaurant and Locorotondo, see our Puglia Guys Locorotondo City Guide.

To arrange a wine tasting at Pavì Wine Restaurant in Locorotondo contact them via their Instagram - pavi_51 (be sure to tell them you heard the podcast).

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Continuing our Bari Vecchia guide, we shift perspective. We move away from ticking off sights, and focus on what to notice.

Because what defines Bari Vecchia is not only its basilicas and castles, but the cultural details woven into its fabric: the food rituals, the ground-floor homes, the arches and shrines, the defensive towers hidden in plain sight, the way private life spills into public space.

As you explore Bari Vecchia we encourage you to take in its everyday architecture. The street food traditions. The devotional details. The way space is shared.

For detailed information on our route, locations and places to stop for refreshments along the way, see our companion Puglia Guys guide to Bari Vecchia.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Brilliant Bari Vecchia — Bari's historic old town — is one of the most compelling parts of our regional capital. Once a city most people passed through, Bari has become Puglia's most visited destination: a place of pilgrimage, welcoming those devoted to the cult of Saint Nicholas alongside visitors drawn by Bari Vecchia's extraordinary food scene.

With its 4,000-year history, the old town doesn't reveal itself all at once. Much of what defines Bari Vecchia lies between the monuments: front doors opening onto cool, shaded alleyways; the sounds of food being prepared and families eating together; laundry hanging from balconies, drying slowly in the afternoon heat. Everyday life continues here in full view.

Its streets are irregular, defensive and intentionally disorienting — a medieval urban maze built to slow intruders. It's easy to lose your bearings in Bari Vecchia. We still do. So, join us on our walking tour of Bari Vecchia, approaching the old city by neighbourhood: overlapping zones anchored by piazzas, churches and historic institutions. Discover the character and rhythm of each quarter as we explore Bari Vecchia and its history.

For more information on our route, precise locations and places to stop for refreshments along the way, see our companion Puglia Guys guide to Bari Vecchia.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Puglia is one of Italy's most surprising destinations. Many travellers arrive expecting the familiar rhythms of "Italian tourism", only to discover that Puglia follows its own patterns: slower, more local, more traditional, and far more community-shaped than you might expect.

For many travellers from the USA, Puglia feels both new and authentic — a place that hasn't been shaped around international tourism. But with this enthusiasm comes a learning curve. Puglia is not Tuscany. It is not Rome. It is not the Amalfi Coast. It has its own rhythms, its own cultural logic, and its own deeply-rooted way of life.

Understanding those rhythms is the key to a richer, smoother, more meaningful trip.

Welcome to Puglia 101: Essential Tips for First-Time Visitors. Everything you wish you'd known before your trip to the heel of Italy's boot.

Follow us on Instagram for reels, stories, and daily inspiration. Use our Puglia Guide to plan your trip with confidence.

Knowing the best time to visit Puglia helps you plan realistically. Three factors really matter: weather, tourist numbers, and whether your chosen destination will be open for business.

It's not just about avoiding the August crowds. From November to Easter, life in Puglia shifts indoors. The weather turns cold and damp — the kind of chill that seeps through stone walls and straight into your bones. Humidity makes it feel far colder. Rain is frequent, skies stay grey, and daylight is short.

Life in much of Puglia slows right down. Away from the main cities our region slips into hibernation mode.

For visitors, that means the experience changes dramatically outside the extended summer season. There may be fewer tourists, but there's less open and less happening: fewer dining options, fewer outdoor experiences — even fewer accommodation options.

In this seasonal guide to Puglia, we highlight what to expect month by month in terms of weather and tourist numbers, and suggest where to go and what to do during Puglia's "not-summer" season.

For more information, with weather snapshots over a year in Puglia, see our companion Puglia Guys guide on the best time to visit Puglia: a seasonal guide to Puglia.

We live in Puglia all year round and provide practical tips on getting around, cultural insights and unique local experiences. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Not everyone visiting Puglia wants to go it alone. Some travellers prefer the security and structure of a guided experience. It allows for connection — with the people, places, and traditions that make Puglia so special.

And sometimes, having someone local by your side can open doors you'd never find alone.

For travellers who don't want to drive around Puglia but also don't want the challenge of using public transport to reach harder-to-access corners of the region, guided travel offers the perfect solution.

We speak with Luca Oliva of Puglia With Locals, a specialist travel designer and certified tour leader from Taranto, Puglia.

For more information, check out our recommendations for guided travel in Puglia page.

Remember to follow us on Instagram for reels, stories, and daily inspiration.

In this Halloween special, the Puglia Guys take you deep into the Gargano — Puglia's wild northern promontory where faith and fear have shared the same mountains for centuries.

We begin in San Giovanni Rotondo, today one of the world's busiest pilgrimage sites, where millions come to honour Padre Pio, the friar who bore the stigmata and claimed to battle demons in the skies above his monastery. Then we climb higher still, to Monte Sant'Angelo, the ancient shrine of Saint Michael the Archangel — a place once said to mark the very gate of heaven.

But where heaven opens so near to earth, shadows gather too. From Padre Pio's letters describing his nightly assaults by unseen forces, to the mist-filled Foresta Umbra, where locals whisper of the lupi mannari — the werewolves of Gargano — we follow the line where sanctity blurs into superstition.

Pour yourself a glass of dark Puglian red — Negroamaro or Primitivo — and listen as we journey from pilgrimage to possession, from light into darkness.

Faith, folklore and fear intertwine in this chilling exploration of Puglia's holiest and most haunted land.

Follow us on Instagram - if you dare - for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

In Puglia, food isn't just something you eat – it's how you understand the region itself. Every dish tells a story of the seasons, the land, the sea, and the people who live here. This is Italy's largest olive oil producer, its breadbasket, the country's second-biggest wine region – and the birthplace of burrata.

From pasta scorched in its pan in Bari, to stuffed meat rolls sizzling on a braceria grill, to raw seafood eaten straight from the shell on a harbour wall, these are the dishes every visitor should try. They're the foods locals still cook, order, and argue over.

These are the 20 must-eat dishes that define Puglia. For photos of all the dishes described (and more), check out our companion guide to the Taste of Puglia podcast episode.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Olive oil is the lifeblood of Puglia's landscape, culture and cuisine. With over 60 million olive trees, Puglia is Italy's top olive oil producer, accounting for around 40% of Italy's olive oil.

From the monumental groves of Fasano to the sunburnt fields of Salento, olive oil has shaped Puglia's economy, its traditions and even its identity.

October marks the start of the olive harvest in Puglia. The harvest marks the arrival of new oil, freshly pressed and full of flavour, and it's the moment when centuries of tradition and hard work come together in the groves and the mills.

And there's no better way to celebrate this than with an olive oil tasting at Frantoio Savoia in Pezze di Greco, Fasano. Set in Masseria Pezze d'Aglio, an 18th-century farmhouse surrounded by sixty hectares of olive groves, the Savoia family produce award-winning extra-virgin olive oils that bridge past and present.

Join us on our Puglia olive oil tasting with guide, Rosaria Pace, engaging and enthusiastic, one of the reasons why olive oil tasting at Frantoio Savoia is a stand-out experience.

To find out more, check out our Puglia Guys guide to olive oil tasting, or visit Frantoio Savoia's website where you can arrange a visit. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

In Puglia we embrace a slower pace of life. Il dolce far niente (sweet idleness). It's part of our culture, reflected in all of our daily rituals. We give you our suggestions to leave behind the noise of daily life and experience Puglia in the here and now. And for visitors from the USA who really like to pack a full itinerary, we offer additional tips to slow down and help manage expectations for a more meaningful, local-friendly stay in Southern Italy.

We're taking a summer break. See you the other side of summer. We will still be posting on our website and socials, so be sure to follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Take a Chance. Advance to Go! Welcome to Monopoli (the city in Puglia, not the board game).

Adjacent to and sometimes overshadowed by its near neighbour Polignano a Mare, Monopoli offers a quieter alternative for lunch or dinner. It has a pretty old town and enjoys a less frenetic pace. The old port with its characteristic light blue and red blue fishing boats and green fishing nets drying under the sun invites you into the beating heart of its centro storico.

Its medieval center, characterised by churches and convents, is compact and charming.

For details and locations of the beaches, churches and restaurants mentioned in this episode, see our companion Puglia Guys Monopoli City Guide.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your visit to Puglia.

Think of Puglia and you will probably picture Alberobello's trulli - as iconic as Polignano a Mare's Lama Monachile- and just as likely to grace the cover of the latest edition of The Lonely Planet Guide to Puglia.

Although they feature across the Itria Valley, it is the concentration of trulli found in Alberobello that makes it unique. Drawing a stream of visitors all year round tourism takes centre stage in Alberobello. Most trulli in the crowded commercialised Monti district are shops; those that are not are restaurants.

Unprepared for its crowds and commercialisation, visitors can leave Alberobello feeling underwhelmed. The crowds, souvenir shops, and selfie sticks can distract from the magic.

Yet no trip to Puglia would be complete without visiting Puglia's trulli. And it is still possible to discover some of the town's quieter, "secret" spaces.

For fuller details, including map locations nd full restaurant details, visit our companion Puglia Guys Alberobello Guide.

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The masseria is one of the defining features of Puglia's landscape.

And, let's get one thing straight: a masseria is not a villa. Where northern Italian villas were retreats for the wealthy, all frescoes and fountains, Puglia's masserie were born of necessity. Masserie (that's one masseria, two masserie) are living records of a region that has always had to defend itself — from pirates, plagues, bandits, and even bureaucracy.

With our resident Bari Puglia Guy, Andrea Visaggio, we explore the history and timeless legacy that is the Puglia Masseria.

For more information and recommended masserie to visit, check out our Puglia Guys Masseria Guide.

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We visit Polignano a Mare, the place with the iconic beach you've probably seen in every guide book to Puglia. The eating is great, from polpo panini, to gelato (Polignano is known for its gelato) and special coffee. There's even a Polignano version of spaghetti all'assassina, with octopus. But there's more to Polignano than seafood and gelato. There's Domenico Modugno. Everybody knows his most famous song, right? It came 3rd in 1958's Eurovision Song Contest. But it spent five non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, and subsequently became Billboard's number-one single for 1958. In 1959, at the 1st Annual Grammy Awards, Modugno's recording became the first ever Grammy winner for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year. The combined sales of all the versions of the song exceed 18 million copies worldwide, making it one of the all-time most popular Italian songs. We know it as Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu. You know it as Volare (oh-ho)!

For more information on the places, restaurants and locations mentioned in this episode visit our Puglia Guys Polignano a Mare city guide.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your visit to Puglia.

We take a trip out of Puglia to nearby Matera, in the neighbouring region of Basilicata.

According to Keith Jenkins, founder and publisher of Velvet Escape, Matera is "one of the most extraordinary towns I've ever laid my eyes on". He explains, "Italy excels in extraordinary cities - I've visited many of them - but Matera surely belongs in the upper echelons of 'the most extraordinary cities' list".

In this guide we suggest a walking tour route and a bus tour. Places to eat, including our favourites, and the remarkable cave dwellings and churches to visit.

A UNESCO World Heritage List destination, recognised for being "one of the most outstanding organised urban settlements ever created in the world, a real materpiece of human creative genius and capacity to adapt".

Map and links for our walking tour suggestions here: Love Matera | From Caves to Culture, Shame to Pride.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Driving in Puglia is a convenient and practical option for getting around our region, whether you're hopping between towns or heading to the beautiful beaches. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure a smooth driving experience.

In this episode we share our observations and driving tips based on our driving experiences in and around the region and the rest of Italy, plus insights on what to watch out for and expect from other (especially Italian) drivers.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER | Every care has been taken to accurately represent the legal requirements for driving in Italy as also the law and rules of the road at the time of writing. However these may have changed since the original publication so you should not rely on the information contained in this post, which is indicative only. It is your responsibility to ascertain what these are at the date of your travel and to ensure compliance with Italian law and driving requirements as they apply at the date of your travel.

Further information, photos, links and routes are included in the Puglia Guys companion website guide: Navigating Puglia | A Practical Guide to Driving.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your visit to Puglia.

Taranto's old town - the borgo antico - is one of our favourite places to visit in Puglia. Much neglected by visitors, like the city itself, Taranto is an antidode to Puglia's favourite tourist hotspots. Packed full of history, with a world class archaeological museum, and with some of the best seafood and seafood restaurants in Puglia, Taranto is raw, gritty and authentic.

For full details of the destinations, restaurants and food (with pictures) mentioned in this episode visit our Puglia Guys Taranto guide.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

We preview Holy Week in Puglia, the week leading up to Easter. During Holy Week many towns in Puglia hold elaborate processions and ceremonies to commemorate the Passion and Death of Christ. These rituals are often marked by solemn music, prayers, and the use of symbols and images that evoke feelings of sorrow and mourning.

From the Vattienti of Martina Franca and the Pappamusci of Francavilla Fontana to the Procession of Maria Addolorata in Taranto. Whether you are a believer or not, there is something deeply moving about the devotion and passion that is on display during la settimana santa.

For more detail and photographs from the events mentioned in this podcast episode, visit our Puglia Guys guide to Easter in Puglia: The Passion and Pain | Aspects of Holy Week in Puglia.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia (including videos in our stories from Holy Week events).

We were asked about the music that we use in our opening and closing podcast credits. It is pizzica music, old folk music from Salento, the southern part of Puglia. Like other tarantelle, legend says that pizzica was a cure for women bitten in the olive groves by the spider, explaining its hypnotic energy. In this episode, accompanied by the pizzica music played by our friends, we explore the sound, the stories and the dance moves of pizzica.

For more information on Puglia's pizzica festivals, events and how to take part, check our Puglia Guys Pizzica Guide to Pizzica in Puglia.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your visit to Puglia.

In this episode we feature our own recording of the pizzica di San Vito, a traditional musical piece, featuring our friends who perform as musicians and singers. Full credits and our video of the recording can be found on our Puglia Guys You Tube channel.

We are back in Puglia's Valle d'Itria, visiting Martina Franca. Known for its great food and baroque architecture, we walk around the town, discovering its history and taking time to explore the Palazzo Ducale and the Basilica di San Martino. With restaurant recommendations along the way and insider tips, enjoy one of the Valle d'Itria's favourite destinations.

Check out our Puglia Guys Martina Franca guide on the PugliaGuys.com website for fuller information and details on the locations vitisited, some more recommendations, and a more detailed guide to Martina's main churches.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Gallipoli has become a hotspot for travellers seeking both history and hedonism. The summer season sees a seismic shift as Gallipoli becomes synonymous with revelry and celebrations extending well beyond the old and new towns. Nearby beaches – especially those in and around Baia Verde – echo with the rhythms of music festivals, vibrant parties, and a diverse crowd.

Our insider tips on when best to visit the old town, where by day fishermen still meet to drink, chat and mend their nets. We recommend some fine seafood restaurants and tell you where we enjoy the best sunset in Salento.

Details of the locations on our walking tour of Gallipoli can be found in our companion Puglia Guys Gallipoli city guide.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

We walk you around Otranto, its city beaches and visit geologically stunning and popular nearby beaches along the coast, including the Grotta della Poesia, the Baia dei Turchi, the faraglioni of Sant'Andrea and Torre dell'Orso.

Otranto is packed with history. From the famous mosaic floor of its cathedral, the castle of Otranto that inspired the first Gothic novel, and the tragedy of the 1480 massacre of 800 martyrs, whose bones are still on display.

Plus those city beaches and where to eat the best seafood in Otranto!

Details of the locations of the spots visited, the recommended restaurants and parking for the nearby beaches can be found in our companion Puglia Guys Otranto guide.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Puglia is considered to be Italy's 2nd most visited foodie destination. With Andrea in his home city Bari, Puglia's regional capital, we eat out in the old town. Bari Vecchia is one of Puglia's culinary hubs. We talk about the typical must-eat traditional dishes of Bari, along with our favourite restaurants where we go to eat them.

For detailed information on our favourite Bari restaurants and more recommendations visit the Puglia Guys Eat Bari Guide.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your visit to Puglia.

We visit Ostuni, Puglia's città bianca - the White City. Because we live in Puglia all year round we keep our finger on the pulse. Insider tips and hacks (parking in Ostuni? We have it covered), plus our recommendations on where to eat = where we eat. Eat like a local. Avoid the tourist traps, recommended by one tourist to another, where no locals would go - because the food is just average, and overpriced. We eat better, for less.

We explain why Ostuni makes the perfect base for your Puglia vacation, help you plan the perfect Puglia itinerary from a base in Ostuni, and list the Valle d'Itria's best beaches (and tell you where to park).

All that plus a hack on saving money on booking accommodation in Ostuni. For links, addresses and detailed information on the places mentioned in this episode, check out our Puglia Guys Ostuni City Guide.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

We don't all travel equally. Some travel solo, in couples or groups, with families, and with different expectations and aspirations. That's why we don't think there's a "one size fits all" itinerary for visitors. We take a different approach. Instead of suggesting actual itineraries we break down Puglia into bite size pieces so you can mix and match destinations to plan an itinerary that suits your travel style and circumstances. Whether you're here for a quick getaway or a slow immersive experience.

For further information on the destinations with links, check-out our Puglia Guys Guide to Planning the Perfect Puglia Itinerary.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Spaghetti all'assassina is the iconic pasta dish of Bari, Puglia's regional capital. It's unlike any other pasta dish you might have tried. On his visit to Bari for the TV show Searching for Italy, actor and food writer Stanley Tucci was blown away.

"This goes against everything I know about pasta... Honestly, I've never seen anything like that before… And I've been around, too!"

We discover the origins of spaghetti assassina, aka spaghetti bruciati (burnt spaghetti), why there are three official academies to protect its heritage, where to eat the best spaghetti assassina in Bari and how to cook it at home. We include the official accademia assassina recipe plus our own adapted Puglia Guys spaghetti assassina recipe.

For more spaghetti assassina resources (including these plus more recipes) visit the Puglia Guys Spaghetti Assassina page.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories and reels (including our assassina cooking), photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Our insider travel guide to Lecce, Puglia. What to see and do, and our guide to traditional food, as well as our favourite places to eat. From a pasticciotto and caffe leccese for breakfast, to lunch, aperitivi and dinner.

We live in Puglia all year round and provide practical tips on getting around, cultural insights and unique local experiences – from pizzica dancing to wine tastings, cooking classes to road trips.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Fuller details and links referenced in this episode can be found on the Puglia Guys Lecce guide.

Welcome to the rebooted Puglia Podcast by the Puglia Guys, Puglia ambassadors.

For links referred to in the episode and more resources, check out our Puglia Guys Guide to Finding the Best Base for your Vacation in Puglia.

Follow us on Instagram @PugliaGuys

LEGACY EPISODE. For reboot start at WELCOME TO PUGLIA.

We literally grabbed Regan and Allie off the street for this short episode. The sisters are from the US. Regan is a wheeler. She uses a wheelchair and has been navigating Ostuni while visiting for the Allora film festival.

We ask Regan how her visit has been, given the narrow cobbled streets of many of Puglia's old towns.

It was a delight to hear that Regan's experience had been very positive and much better than had been anticipated at the other end, before getting here.

She also praises the organisers of Ostuni's first Allora International Festival of Cinema Art and Music for their thought in presenting an inclusive and accessible festival.

Photo: Torre Guaceto, one of Puglia's accessible beaches.

LEGACY EPISODE. For reboot start at season 2 WELCOME TO PUGLIA.

Food is an integral part of Puglia's identity.

Puglia is Italy's biggest producer of olive oil - around 40% of Italian extra virgin olive oil comes from Puglia - and Italy's 2nd largest wine producing area, well known for rich, full bodied reds.

Our tradition of la cucina povera ("peasant food") serves up simple but inventive dishes using seasonal, locally produced, fresh and flavourful ingredients.

And we gave the world burrata.

Recorded at FoodExp 2022 we speak to Italian food writer and travel consultant Paolo Vizzari, Virginia Newton from Copenhagen's 3 Michelin-starred Geranium, currently the 2nd best restaurant in the world.

We find out about Quintessenza, Trani's only Michelin-starred restaurant from Michele Di Ceglie one of the chefs who support Stefano Di Gennaro and we finish off with some blow your mind carbonara from the Carbogang guys who came all the way from Trento in the north of Italy to cook for us - and we are very happy they did.

Read more about our visit to RebelExpFood including further links, photographs on our Eat Puglia 2022 podcast episode page.

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As Italy's first ever LGBT+ History Month draws to an end we speak to one of its co-founders and organisers, Alessio Ponzio.

Alessio talks about Italy's fascinating queer history. From the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the late 19th century that led to Italy becoming a destination for same sex tourism to the reshaping of men and Italian masculinity in the second half of the 1930s under Mussolini's fascist regime

We also consider Puglia's dark history. In 1939 gay men were sent to an internment camp on the beautiful Island of San Domino in the Tremiti Islands, where they suffered harsh conditions. Mussolini unwittingly created Italy's first openly gay community.

Find out more about LGBT+ History Month Italia on their website. More information about the podcast episode and links to futher information can be found on our podcast page for this episode.

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Undisputed capital of the trulli in the gorgeous Valle d'Itria, Alberobello is one of Puglia's most iconic - and perhaps most visited - destinations. But with tourism front, back, left, right and centre finding authentic Alberobello, the Alberobello that so inspired Pier Paolo Passolini can be hard to find. But it still exists.

In our #lockdown guide we inspire and guide you on your visit and with a local eye "stress test" two travel blogger guides suggested to us: Never Ending Voyage and the short (but cute) Short Guide to Alberobello brought to you by the beautifully curated Along Dusty Roads.

And after that our companion guide to Alberobello can be found here at the BIG Guide to Alberobello. Safe and happy travels.

Our Alberobello Podcast Guide Page.

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Benvenuti a Polignano a Mare. Welcome to Polignano a Mare and to our city guide podcast.

Our city guide podcasts supplement our online guide found at gaypugliapodcast.com.

Each podcast will include some background on some of Puglia's most popular destinations. Maybe a little history, some trivia but most importantly information on how to make the most of each destination.

How to get around, what to see and do, where to go to eat - and what to eat.

We are an inclusive travel blog and podcast. We might have some information that is of particular relevance to LGBTQ+ travellers, but we all love to eat, drink, visit the beach, sight see and shop. Our recommendations will be of interest to anyone visiting Puglia and the destination covered.

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As a Valentine's Day bonus, we speak to wedding planner Viola from Emotions in Puglia about planning a wedding in Puglia. Recorded at Puglia's BTM tourist fair in February 2020.

This was recorded for a fuller "Weddings in Puglia" episode, but covid happened and the episode was abandoned...

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3,154 votes were cast in our Best of Puglia 2020 survey. We asked our local gay community and visitors who came to Puglia on vacation to tell us their favourite destinations, restaurants, gay beaches, bars and clubs in Puglia, as well as their favourite things to do.

David and Scott review the nominees and reveal your best of Puglia 2020.

A list of the full results can be found on The Big Gay Podcast from Puglia website.

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Greg and Andrea live in northern Italy but spent three weeks travelling all around Puglia at the end of summer 2020. In the second of a two part podcast we pick up with them again in Santa Maria di Leuca, from where they travel up the Ionian coast to Gallipoli and beyond. Find out why they are full of praise for the much overlooked Taranto, and hear them enthuse over their joy of ceramics ("from breathtaking [pieces of art] to the functional", made in Grottaglie.

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Greg and Andrea live in northern Italy but spent three weeks travelling all around Puglia. It was Greg's first time in our region, and for Andrea a return visit after 20 years.

In the first of a two part podcast they take in the Gargano, Imperial Puglia, Matera (in the neighbouring region of Basilicata), the Valle d'Itria and end up in Santa Maria di Leuca.

They are effusive in their praise for Puglia and don't hold back in describing their highlights, from restaurants to places of beauty.

Find links to the restaurants and other recommendations from the Big Gay Podcast from Puglia travel guide here.

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David and Scott stop off in Lecce for a spot of Christmas atmosphere and pizza (Lecce officially has the best pizza in Puglia), albeit because of Covid19 it had to be delivered.

The delicious pizza inspires talk about traditional Christmas dinner here in Puglia and in the UK. For David means 13 starters, 2 first courses and 2 mains before moving on to desert...

And, as it's Christmas, the boys finish off with a little Christmas gift for those who managed to make it past the pizza.

Buon natale e tanti auguri.

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While staying at Lune Saracene at Spiaggia d'Ayala in Campomarino inspired by Scott's last stay in a B&B, David and Scott share some true tales of terror - including a story of demonic possession in Ostuni's Parco della Rimembranza remembered by David when he was just 8 years old...

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For the second naked podcast Scott and David head to D'Ayala Beach - Puglia's most popular gay naturist beach. Where it's hot, hot, hot and not just because of the golden Salento sun...

For socio-economic reasons so many young men continue to live at home with their mothers well into their 30's here in Puglia. So where do they go for their Grindr hookups?

David talks about car sex and Scott asks about the phenomenon of married Italian men having sex with other men. It's not an evolution, rather Italian society is such that many gay men remain in the closet, marry and cruise for sex with men.

Strong language and frank discussion.

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Scott and David visit the gay section of Torre Guaceto's naturist beach. Secluded and relaxed, it is one of Puglia's most popular gay beaches. Adult content and themes are discussed.

See the pictures and supplemental information - including directions how to access the beach - at the Gig Gay Podcast from Puglia Torre Guaceto FAQ.

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After the Big Gay Podcast from Puglia's final summer fling at Por do Sol in Gallipoli where we meet Sergio from Italy Gay Travels we head to Porto Salveggio with David to refect on the covid-19 summer that saw us travel from Vieste and Peschici in Gargano at the very north of Puglia, to deepest Salento at the very heel of Italy's boot.

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We meet with Colombian supervet Dr. Jairo. Currently undertaking research for a second postgraduate doctoral degree at the University of Bari's renowned Department of Veterinary Medicine, he tells us about his love for reptiles and his continuing mission to make us love and understand snakes. And if you want to know the difference between poisonous and venomous reptiles, and whether your chances of survival are better if a crocodile or alligator attacks you, listen in.

For the record, we do have snakes here in Puglia which Jairo explains are hard to find. But you certainly won't find encounter any crocodiles or alligators in the wild.

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Before the Covid-19 lockdown we travelled to Reims in France, the champagne region, to take part in an Erasmus Plus programme. We took some prosecco with us to see whether people could tell the difference between the prosecco and champagne. Back in Italy we ran the same test with Italians.

In this the first part of 2 we are in Puglia for the Italian end of the test. In part 2 we will go back in time to February and switch location to Reims for the original taste test.

We should say, we appreciate that describing champagne as "French" is unnecessary. Champagne only comes from France and is only champagne if it comes from the champagne region ...

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David is back. We talk about driving in Puglia, dispelling the stereotypes of Italian drivers. Which is not to say that Italian drivers are without bad driving habits ... look out for roundabouts, and overtaking. Then there are the challenges of parking (first find a space then try and fit into it). Look out also for ZTL restricted traffic zones. Drive into one of them and you can look forward to a €180 fine dropping through your letterbox 8 months later.

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We visit Roberto in Bergamo, the 4th largest city in Lombardy and one of its most beautiful, to find out how he is spending his time in lockdown.

Our Easter soundscape for 2020 starts with the morning chorus of birds recorded here in Puglia as the sun rises. A celebration of spring and the shape of things to come, as the day passes and the sun sets behind the olive grove and another day in the heel of Italy's boot ...

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As the covid-19 coronavirus goes global so do we. Our first conversation is with Alp in Istanbul before heading across the border to Greece where Fo is in Serres, Vicky in Thessaloniki and Amalia and her brother Hercules and sister Angela are in Egio, near Patras. We ask them how their countries are dealing with the current crisis, with particular reference to societal and economic challenges, and the day to day impact on their lives. We compare and contrast the situation in Italy and the UK. Recordings were made live over the internet on Sunday 15 March 2020.

As news leaks that a quarter of Italy's population are to be put into quarantine, Puglia's President Michele Emiliano issued a dramatic appeal urging those trying to escape the quarantine zone, "Don't come to Puglia, go back." He urges "Get off at the first train station, don't take planes to Bari and Brindisi, go back by car, get off the bus at the next stop," he wrote, mostly addressing people from the region who live in the north.

"Do not bring the Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia epidemic to your Puglia. You are carrying the virus into the lungs of your brothers and sisters, your grandparents, uncles, cousins and parents."

With our guest Guiseppe we consider the impact of covid-19 on day-to-day life in Italy, Europe's worst hit country, and how it affects life in Puglia - currently outside the quarantine zone.

This episode was recorded on 8 March 2020, the day that Italian Prime Minister Guiseppe Conte announced the quarantine.

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In this mini-episode we speak to Antonio Nicoletti the Direttore Generale of Basilicata's tourist board, the Agenzia di Promozione Territoriale Basilicata. Antonio explains that there's no rest for Matera. After a full and splendid year as European Capital of Culture in 2019 Matera is preparing for another surge in tourism in 2020 after the release of "No Time to Die" the 25th James Bond movie this April. Antonio tells us why Basilicata has so much more to offer than the sass of the Sassi. So sit back and listen as Antonio guides us through four seasons in Basilicata - "le quattro stagioni in Basilicata". To find out more about beautiful Basilicatta visit their website at www.basilicataturistica.it

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Bond is back! We preview "No Time to Die" filmed in Puglia and in neighbouring Matera. With guest Gianluca, one of the organisers of the 2020 Salento Rainbow Film Festival we talk films showing off Puglia at its best and preview the 2020 Festival, now in its 6th year.

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When you think of Italian men, you might well think dark and hairy. But the modern Italian man prefers to "manscape", waxing all over their body, from their chest arms and legs... and even more intimate bits. Scott thinks that for the sake of the podcast it's time to go the full "Italian", but ultimately decides that for his first waxing, maybe less is more. For this episode he is joined once again by @daviditalia92 who isn't afraid of a good waxing all over... and he means all over. Including his most tender parts.

So, how will Scott fair? More pain than pleasure? Listen to find out....

We take a detour from Puglia and our usual focus on LGBT+ life and culture when Scott represents Italy on a 10-day Erasmus+ course held in Reims, France...just north of Paris, where champagne comes from...

If you don't know about Erasmus+, Jus Gentium and the amazing learning and cultural (=the big party) experience that Erasmus+ provides, listen to the podcast and be sure to check out our post about it on the RicchiToni website hosted by the podcast.

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We meet Fabrizio in his adopted town, Grottaglie, famous for its ceramics. We learn about the ethos of the boutique/bar business that he runs and consider the benefits of being able to be your authentic self and the internal discrimination that exists within the gay community. Fabrizio is the proprietor of FCruciani, via Armando Diaz 50, Grottaglie. Find him on Instagram @cruciani.fabrizio

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We visit Torre Guaceto, one of Puglia's most popular beaches, and one of its best known gay and nudist beaches. We speak to some volunteers from WWF working at the nature reserve and cleaning up the beach. DavidItalia92 is back to tell us how the local gays access the gay beach - which is much easier than the 50 minute plus walk described on other LGBT travel guides - and to tell us a little bit more about what to expect...

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We are in Matera, European capital of culture 2019, for the first ever Matera Pride. We take the chance to compare it with our experiences of Rome Pride, Bari Pride and Taranto Pride. Michele takes the test and we find out whether he is more a prosecco or peroni boy, with a preference for inside or outside...

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Part 2 of our gay travel guide to Ostuni, Puglia. David, our guide to Ostuni, takes us to Ostuni's two local beaches where there is something more beginning with "S" going on than just sun, sea and sand... Lamaforca and Torre Pozzelle. David explains the protocol and the rules of engagement and helps us with the language! ADULT CONTENT and EXPLICIT REFERENCES used.

Like a game of football (AC Milan v Juventis), Part 1 of our guide to Ostuni is a game of two halves. With another new friend @davidgram92 we find out a little bit about Ostuni, its history and some of our favourite places to eat and hang out...

Then in the second half, we find out a little bit more about our charming guest for this podcast, Mr Citta di Ostuni, the lovely David (@davidgram92 on Instagram).

This summer when Ostuni's numbers swell from 32.000 to 100.000 will he will be looking for love, or something more practical, does he prefer prosecco to peroni...and will a sugar daddy or a toy boy amuse him more...?

Before taking a road trip for Part 2 of our guide, David demonstrates the meaning of "gifted".

AKA the sleepover before the hangover…

The boys take (another) trip to Lecce, this time to celebrate IDAHOT 2019 with their friends from Ra.Ne - the Rainbow Network. They have a sleepover at their best new friend's place in Lecce, grazie Adriano, and at 4am they try to make sense of everything.

As we say here in Italy, siete ubriaco!

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We review the triumph and tragedy that was our roadtrip to Perugia. We preview the three Prides of Puglia - Taranto Pride, Bari Pride and Salento Pride. And we launch our competition to win EUR100. Just listen to the episode for details and follow @ricchitoni and @gaypugliapodcast on Instagram when you send your answer and when the competition closes (midnight on 6 June, Rome time). The prize goes to the first person to correctly identify by email the undisclosed soundscape track - where it comes from and when it comes from (so, if you think it comes from a particular file you need to name the film and identify the scene). Send your answer to pugliapodcast@gmail.com

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So, this one is a little different. It's our Easter Soundscape. When people turn to religion, we turn to art. A tribute, vespers for Holy Week, or something else. You decide...

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We chat with professional dancer and voguer extraordinaire Kenjii Mizrahi, after his amazing Voguing Workshop for the Salento Rainbow Film Festival. Kenjii explains the history and culture of voguing - the houses, the old way, new way and vogue fem. We learn about European catwalk, American runway and the climactic dip. Follow Kenjii on Instagram @kenjii_mizrahi or on Facebook Ken Jii Mizrahi.

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We visit the Salento Rainbow Film Festival, Lecce's LGBT* film festival taking place 28-30 March 2019. But first Scott arrives in Lecce listening to his favourite podcast, Once Upon A Scream. He explains his craving for a kebab and, while trying to find the venue, ponders on whether he prefers Lecce to Bari. 12 minutes into the episode he finds CineLab Bertolucci, the festival venue, and tracks down Gianlucca, one of the festival's artistic directors for a quick chat...

With Michele still rehearsing for the play in Naples, Scott goes to his tamburello lesson, then moans about the inconvenience of the ongoing Brexit uncertainty.

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This podcast contains some adult content.

With spring in full bloom and summer seemingly around the corner Scott tests his Italian language skills with some useful Italian phrases for gay men visiting Italy this summer. Whether you want to take it più veloce or più piano, there are some interesting phrases for the gifted and talented.

Alternatively you can ask Michele the question he is often asked on a night out with his straight brother - "siete gemelli"?

Recorded outside and on an iPhone there's a little background noise and a little signal interference, but we promise it doesn't get in the way of the linguistic learning experience...

In Part 1 Scott and Michele consider why Italians love their bidet and why Italian guys are proud to fiddle with their privates in public; we consider two anti-LGBTI stories recently in the Italian news and a third heartwarming one. Finally Michele learns how not to pronounce the word "beach".

In Part 2 Scott takes a road trip to Florence to consider its beautiful art where he discovers that the men of Renaissance Italy were so renowned for sodomy that "Florenzer" in German meant sodomite!

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While Michele rehearses in Naples, Scott takes a trip to Lecce and enjoys a caffè leccese and pasticciotto with Gianmarco from the Rainbow Network based there. They talk about gay life in Lecce, the work that Ra.Ne do to support Salento's LGBT community and Salento Pride, scheduled to take place this year on August 17 in Gallipoli. Find them on Instagram - @ra_ne_rainbow, on facebook and at www.rainbownetwork.eu

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We are half way through the 69th Sanremo Music Festival, and it's so gay (ish). With Italian icons past and future - what's not to like? We highlight our favourites and reveal just where we put our money.

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The boys chat about the Sanremo Music Festival just before the 69th edition takes place. Sanremo is an Italian phenomenon and institution. Italy virtually closes down over the 5 nights that the festival takes place.

Just how gay is Sanremo? Who are these Italian legendary artists that no-one outside of Italy will ever have heard of? And which are the "world" famous songs to come from the festival that you also will never have heard of? The boys parody a few by way of homage.

I ragazzi talk about Italian legend Mina and consider the effect that prosecco may have had on Italian legend Ornella Vanoni's lips over the years. Even Italian legend Laura Pausini gets a mention.

Too many Italian legends you've never heard of? That's Sanremo baby!

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Scott and Michele discuss the lack of rights and legal protections in Italy (a western European country and member of the EU) for LGBTI peoples. Michele explains what the best bits are about being gay in Puglia, and we talk art. Finally we consider, just why do so many Italian men pluck their eyebrows - is there a Vulcan conspiracy going on?

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With 800km (500 miles) of coastline Puglia, located in the southeastern region of Italy (the heel to the boot of Italy), is one of the top European destinations for LGBT and queer travellers. Over the last few years we have gone from being a hidden gem where only Italians came to vacation to one of the New York Times' top 20 places to visit in 2019.

In this episode we talk about some of the better known gay and gay friendly destinations in Puglia and tell you just a little bit about what to expect from the Big Gay Podcast from Puglia.