Puglia is attracting the attention of some well-known faces and TV chefs. Some looking for a peaceful holiday and others with a TV crew in tow. They come in search of the real unspoilt Italy, authentic and laid back. Where the food, culture, architecture and warm welcome, make you feel immediately at home.
Discover how Puglia has captured the hearts of the rich and famous.
Northern Italians often label Puglia as a region of poor farmers. Yet every summer, many northern Italians load up their cars with family and cases, and drive down to Puglia. Because this is where you are guaranteed sun, great food, and gorgeous beaches. Mostly they stay with relatives or pack the whole family into a holiday rental or cheap hotel.
There didn’t used to be much in the way of luxury accommodation, especially in the countryside, so wealthy tourists didn’t come. However, over the past fifteen years that has been gradually changing. Now you can find luxury holiday rentals and hotels.
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Amazing hotels
In fact, Puglia featured on the BBC programme “Amazing Hotels, Life beyond the lobby”. In which, Aldo Melpignano, owner of the Borgo Egnazia hotel and village, suggested it was probably his mother that was the first to turn a Masseria (Farmhouse) into a luxury hotel in Puglia.
Having wealthy friends and family in Milan, Aldo’s mother realised that to entice the rich to holiday in Puglia, someone would need to offer 5-Star accommodation. So that is exactly what she set out to do, transforming her own Masseria, “San Domenico” into a hotel, with a golf course.
Let’s build a village
A complex of trulli in Ostuni, Puglia. Click on the image to see more.
Following the success of the hotel, the idea blossomed substantially, whereby it was decided to build a whole luxury village from scratch. Not full of glitz and glass, but using local stone to create a calm traditional looking Puglian village. The hotel, village houses and villas offer guests a unique experience, and a superb introduction to the best of Puglia.
It is located midway between Bari and Brindisi on the Adriatic coast. A great location for visiting the beautiful towns of Fasano, Ostuni, Polignano a Mare and Monopoli. Also, the pretty towns of the Itria Valley are only 30 minutes’ drive away.
Trulli and villas for sale near Ostuni.
A wedding in Puglia
In 2012 singer Justin Timberlake and actress Jessica Biel married at Borgo Egnazia. They hired the whole resort and invited around hundred guests to stay there for the week. The overall cost of the wedding was estimated at well over 6 million euros.
With all the famous names attending, the word soon spread to America about how amazing Puglia is. The whole of Puglia, has now become a popular wedding location, with many Masseria Hotels offering an outstanding wedding experience. It is no secret that Italians certainly know how to throw a party.
Famous names
Other famous people who have stayed in Borgo Ignazia’s villas have included Madonna, George Clooney and the Beckham family. When the Beckhams stayed, the Borgo was hosting a Festa (Party) in the main square. This included Flame throwers, illuminated butterfly dancers on stilts, juggling acts, horses, traditional pizzica dancing, and Puglian party music.
Town Festa
Although at Borgo Egnazia the Festa was put on especially for guests, it is by no means an uncommon sight in Puglia. Every Puglian town and village holds Festas for their patron saint, and some also have food festivals, called a “Sagre” (festival). You can find some listed on eventiesagre.it. Although the town Festa is primarily for the local community, anyone is welcome to attend. The streets are always decorated with breath taking street illuminations and concerts are held in the piazzas. Early evening there might be traditional street games for the children, craft workshops and children’s entertainers. All ages are catered for.
Puglia produce
A feast awaits you in Puglia!
As Puglia is famous for its home grown produce, such as olives, grapes, almonds, cherries, figs and melons, there are plenty of food festivals to enjoy throughout the year. They even celebrate the products created from this produce, such as cheese, pasta, and regional dishes.
Nonna’s recipes
Many Italians consider Puglia to have the best cuisine, because of its fresh produce, from both land and sea. Now, chefs and food lovers from abroad are discovering just how tasty using a few fresh ingredients can be. And, it is the Italian Nonna (grandmother) that they are turning to for advice and “Cucina Povera” recipes. Translated as ‘the kitchen of the poor’, cucina povera refers to the traditional cooking techniques and recipes that originated from people living in the countryside.
Puglian pasta
The most iconic food of Puglia is “Orecchiette con le cime di rapa”, which is handmade orecchiette pasta with turnip tops. The ladies that make the Orecchiette (small ear shaped pasta) on the back streets of Bari, have become a tourist attraction in themselves.
Figs for dessert
Fichi mandorlati is another traditional Italian dessert originating from Puglia. It’s made with a simple combination of dried figs, whole almonds, and lemon peel that’s cut into small pieces. The figs are first halved and butterflied, then arranged with the cut side up to bake in the sun. Although, the best way to taste figs are straight from the tree, when they are still warm from the sun.
Grow your own
Many villas in Puglia have fig trees, as well as olive, almond, prickly pear, cherry and other fruit trees, depending what area you live in. Although you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables locally and at weekly markets, most Pugliese like to grow some of their own. Even if they live in town, many have a Nonno (Grandad) that grows enough vegetables and trees on his countryside plot to share the produce with his family.
TV Chefs fall in love with Puglia
TV chefs such as Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsey, the Hairy Bikers and Two Greedy Italians, have all featured Puglia in their travel and food programmes. Jamie Oliver’s mentor, Antonio Carluccio, has been to Puglia with Jamie and also with chef Gennaro Contaldo. The latter, was a BBC programme called “Two Greedy Italians”. Although Antonio originates from the Amalfi Coast, he also enjoys spending time in Puglia.
TV Chef moves to Puglia
Food writer and TV chef Sophie Grigson was so enamoured by Puglia she decided to move here. She currently lives in Ceglie Messapica, in the Itria Valley. Here she runs a small catering company, called Trulli Delicious. Ceglie Messapica is also well known for it’s annual food festival, held on the first weekend of September.
Stunning properties for sale in Ceglie Messapica.
A two-bedroom home for sale in Ceglie Messapica, where food writer and TV chef Sophie Grigson lives.
A smile from the locals
Another famous chef, who has bought property in Puglia is Guy Martin, a Frenchman who has had Michelin stars, TV programmes, and many books to his name. Guy fell in love with the Salento, which is the name given to the sunbaked lower part of Puglia. While others may head to Lecce, Gallipoli or Otranto, Guy chose to buy and restore two palazzo houses in the village of Nardò on the Ionian coast.
He told Panorama, “One of the reasons I am here is because the people smile, regardless of whether they know you or not. People smile at you! Here is the good life, that I imagined I could one day indulge in. I have travelled all over the world, I have known many countries, many people, but I have never met what I found in Nardò”. Discover “7 beautiful places to buy a home in Salento” here.
Large properties for sale near Nardo.
A Palazzo in Puglia
Palazzo houses are town houses once owned by wealthy families. On the street it may have a large impressive wooden door with a carved stone surround. However, it is when you get inside that you can prepare to be totally amazed. Often a Palazzo will have a large stone staircase, vaulted ceilings and frescoes that look like they belong in a royal palace.
As they are located in the historic centres of towns, they are always in a great location for a home or conversion to a Boutique Bed and Breakfast. Which is exactly what a couple from Lincolnshire, England did in Nardò. Find out more in my article “Opening a B&B in Italy”.
Puglian food on TV
Many travel TV programmes have come to Puglia and most rave about the food. On one episode of “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy” (BBC), he enjoyed Bari’s raw seafood, Cisternino’s Fornelli and Apulian blue cheeses.
Dermot O’Leary in Puglia
On Remarkable Places to Eat (Channel 4), we saw Dermot O’Leary taking Fred Sirieix to the restaurants he loves to visit on his many holidays in Puglia. First, they enjoyed sensational seafood at Il Bastione, a restaurant on the old city walls of Gallipoli.
Farmhouse Cooking
Then they went to Masseria Le Stanzie in rural Puglia, where the farm grows much of the food served in the restaurant. The owners have preserved the old farmhouse feel, with an open fire and large wooden table.
Dinner with friends
Finally, Dermot and Fred went to Gustavo’s on the outskirts of Galatone. Here the couple that run it, offer “coccolare” ( a hug ). Everyone is treated like an old friend and people keep coming back for the Tagliata di Lonzetta, a loin of pork with mash and roast potatoes paired with seasonal vegetables.
What is a Masseria?
A masseria.
Masserie (plural of masseria) are large fortified farm houses built from the local sandstone. They usually feature star vaulted ceilings, a big arched entrance gate and a walled courtyard. The high walls were to protect farm produce, animals, workers and equipment from invaders.
The building may also have a chapel, water cistern for collecting rain water, olive press, wine pressing tank and plenty of hooks, from which they hung, tomatoes, cheese, and meat. Many have now been transformed into luxury hotels, especially in the area around Monopoli and in the Salento, below Lecce.
Puglia on TV
A TV programme worth try to see is, Italy Unpacked (BBC), which shows presenters Andrew Graham-Dixon and Giorgio Locatelli. In one episode they look at Lecce and Trani, as well as Matera in the neighbouring Basilicata region.
Another TV programmes to look out for is Clive Myrie’s Italian Road trip on BBC 2. It highlights olive farming and the traditional pizzica music. “Pizzica pizzica” is a type of folk dance that gets many of the locals up dancing. As soon as they hear the familiar tune played on accordion, guitar, mandolin or violin, and the rhythm of the tambourine hits them, young and old jump up and dance in a style that looks light and free, as they skip and spin. Once you hear it, that tune will stick in your head forever, and your heart will beat to the Puglian tambourine.
You can find some beautiful examples of property for sale in Puglia on Your Overseas Home.
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