Apulia
Dream beaches and culture in the south of Italy
Categories: Apulia Mediterranean region Ionian Islands Adriatic Sea Italy
Puglia is located in the southeast of Italy on the Adriatic and Ionian Sea. The beginning in the northern part of the region is the spur of the Italian boot with the mountainous peninsula of Gargano and the Tremiti Islands. Then the plains with the Tavoliere delle Puglie and Terra di Bari wine-growing areas follow. To the south, the region ends with the Salento peninsula, which lies between the Ionian and Adriatic seas and occupies the heel of the boot. 
© Freesurf / Fotolia
The provinces of Apulia are Bari, Foggia, Brindisi, Lecce, Taranto and Barletta-Andria-Trani.
The landscape of Puglia consists of plateaus with bare rocks and incisions, few hilly sections and flat fertile coastal areas, which are predominantly rural. Olives, almonds, citrus fruits and figs are cultivated. Large wheat fields are planted with durum wheat, which is grown for the production of the famous Italian pasta. The region is considered the granary of Italy and an important wine growing area.
On the Salento peninsula as well as in Manduria, Canosa di Puglia and Foggia, grape varieties for red wines are cultivated.
Apulia's varied coastline is 800 km long and has the most beautiful and longest sandy beaches in Italy, which have so far been spared from mass tourism. Rocky sections with white limestone cliffs and hidden idyllic bays with imposing rock formations and caves alternate with Caribbean-style long sandy beaches that drop gently into the crystal clear turquoise water.
Among the most beautiful beaches of Puglia are the beaches on the peninsulas of Salento and Gargano as well as the beaches of the offshore Tremiti Islands, which are part of the Gargano National Park and are designated as a maritime nature reserve. Between the mountains and the white cliffs of the Gargano there are beaches that can only be reached on foot. The most beautiful beaches are at the feet of the high situated village of Peschici, in Vieste and Mattinata. Salento has endless dreamlike beaches and bays covered with fine white sand and bordered by dunes and pine woods.
Places of interest
The region is rich in architectural masterpieces with baroque buildings, castles and palaces, as well as art treasures dating back to the time of the conquest by the Greeks, Romans, Stauffers, Germanic tribes and Normans.
Castel del Monte is an enormous octagonal limestone castle with eight towers, dating back to the 13th century, when the Staufer King Frederick II stayed in Puglia. The cave town of Matera is located on the edge of a deep gorge of tuff stone.
The so-called Sassi (cave settlements) are considered the oldest cities in the world. Alberobello is the home of the ancient trulli, which are the most famous sights of Puglia. The conical white houses were modelled on shepherds' huts. The white city of Ostuni is enthroned on three hills in Brindisi. Cathedrals of Bari, Bitonto, Trani and Barletta. Archaeological sites at Torre Canne and Villaggio Apulo.
Nature lovers will find national parks and interesting grottos, salt flats and gorges. 
© jovannig / Fotolia
In the National Park Gargano near Foggia there are ancient pine forests to admire. The park includes the natural reserve Foresta Umbra, which got its name from the dark shady beech woods. Also worth seeing are the national parks of the Murge, the nature reserve Torre Guaceto, the dolines of Altamura and the deep gorges of Laterza. The salt flats of Santa Margherita, the gorges of Castellana and the grottos Palazzese and Zinzulusa are worth a visit.
