Soaking in Italy’s Sun-Drenched South

Soaking in Italy’s Sun-Drenched South



Puglia
in southern Italy has an alluring beauty that draws you
in with its uniqueness.

The sparkling Adriatic coastline and grottos that run along the
coastal towns of Polignano a Mare and Monopoli down to the
sun-drenched Salento coast at the heel of Italy’s boot, are only a
glimpse of why the region is so special. It’s the warm-hearted
people, their reverence for the land and sea in their cooking and
an ever-present dash of old-world charm.

Puglia produces over 50 per cent of Italy’s olive oil. As you
look out from the hilltop town of Ostuni – known as the “white
city” due to being completely whitewashed – the countryside and its
ancient old olive groves stretch as far as the eye can see. In
recent years, however, the centuries old trees have been affected
by bacteria which leaves them looking burnt. There is currently no
known cure.

Getting lost in Ostuni’s medieval alleys is part of its charm;
balconies and terraces overflow with magenta bougainvillea and the
town is pin-drop quiet during siesta time. It’s a bleached oasis
that appears to have popped up out of nowhere among contrasting
red-earth surroundings.

Tucked away in the Manduria countryside lies Masseria Potenti, I
had been dreaming of visiting ever since I stumbled across a photo
of the 16th-century farmstead turned masseria that was originally
owned by a powerful imperial family. Fields filled with olives
groves, grape vines citrus trees and a large kitchen garden
surround the fortified property. A mix of lavender, rosemary and
citrus scents hang on the breeze and the sound of cicada’s hum in
the background.

This is Puglia.

bonniecoumbe.com | @bonniecoumbe

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