If you have the budget for a van trip in Italy, the best way to see all the best places is by driving from Lecce via Gallipoli, then taking the coast road SP 308 at Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Ionian and Adriatic meet. You can easily visit Bari and the coastal towns from the Val dItria, or if you prefer to stay by the coastline, you can visit the Val dItria from either Polignano or Monopoli.

Trani – north of Bari, Trani has a nice harbor and a cathedral, and is a nice place to stop while traveling between Valle dItria and Gargano, or visit Castel dil Monte (40 minutes by car). Trani – north of Bari. The small city of Trani can be visited in just a few hours, however, it is worth staying for several days to take in the atmosphere, as well as extending yourself with a trip to nearby Castel del Monte, a major Unesco site right outside of the town.

Monopoli – Just 15 minutes away from Polignano, this cute little city is well worth visiting and can be a great base (it is cheaper than Polignano a Mare). Polignano a Mare makes an ideal base in Puglia, being in easy driving distance to both the main airports (Alberobello and Brindisi), the uniquely built Trullo Town of Alberobello, and a lot more charming places to visit, like Ostuni and Martina Franca. These days, Polignano a Mare is popular with tourists, who visit to see its historical center, which sits precariously on the cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea, as well as enjoy its beaches. A seaside city along the Adriatic coast, Polignano a Mare is distinguished by breathtaking landscapes, amazing views, and stunning Old Town.

While Polignano a Mare is home to one of the best-known beaches in this gorgeous province, true sun seekers should skip the crowds and instead just walk down the coast to nearby city Monopoli. I might be slightly biased having used Monopoli as a base for 2 whole months, but this charming seaside city is easily one of the nicest, and definitely the most underrated, places to visit in this gorgeous province. Polignano a Mare is one of the best-known places to visit in Puglia thanks to its scenic Cala Porto (aka La Mantiglia); a tiny paved beach that sits delightfully hidden beneath the limestone cliffs of the city and its whitewashed houses. Coastal towns that I would certainly recommend visiting or staying short-term include Polignano a Mare and Locorotondo.

Puglia is still Southern Italy, so remember public transportation may not be reliable, and many places are not well connected, but a Puglia villas experience is a must! From here, you can explore Puglias heartland, not just historic places like Alberobello and Ostuni, but also Fasanos popular ZooSafari and Aquapark Egnazia, which are so much fun for kids of all ages. There are many things to do in Puglia — and a beautiful Unesco world heritage site, Alberobello — also a really funny thing to say — is one of Puglias Trulli towns. While Puglia is known more for its breathtaking coastline, Baroque architecture, and pastoral villages, it is also a place with ancient traditions that continue to this day, welcoming people, and, of course, the Cibo – our cuisine, unlike any other that you will find in Italy.