Italy cont…. Puglia

Driving around Puglia in our hybrid Jeep. Staying in apartments and Masserias - farm houses turned into accommodation. During the next 2 weeks we experience the record breaking heatwaves that scorched southern Europe. As July is usually warm I had chosen to stay on the coast or at places with pools. So lucky to have been able to get some respite from this example of the climate changing to produce extreme weather events. Italians just knuckle down and get on with it. Meanwhile, tourists are evacuated from wild fires in Rhodes and fires circle Palermo. Surely governments around the world will make bold policies to reduce carbon emissions.

Polignano Al Mare

a beautiful seaside town. Swimming, enjoying aaperitivo and buying delicious produce and wine. Highly recommend La Grotta Delle Serene apartment- can only accommodate 2 people. Styled well, great host and parking nearby. On Booking.com.

Just out of town is the abbey of San Vito. A nice place to stop for lunch and a swim.

Alberobello

Truilli country. Beehive shaped houses, fascinating architecture but over run with tourists. We did see a Frida Kahlo photography exhibition which was quite interesting.

Road tripping the white towns

Locorotondo was my favourite white town. Everything is shimmering white. Cisternino was nearest our base at Masseria Dimorae Cama -Excellent place to stay. Martina Franca worth a visit for its picturesque winding alleys. Ostuni is chic and pearly - stop at Bar Perso for a coffee and enjoy the view.

Lecce

Nothing out baroques Lecce! With it’s many baroque style churches, descent Puglia restaurants and tradition of paper mache making, it is a lively, sophisticated city. Visit the MUST museum. A beautifully restored monastery which houses works focussing on the history of Lecce. The ground floor hosts modern artists - whilst we were there it was Angelo Filomena. The Museo Faggiano gives you a glimpse into archeological finds in a house setting. Have a drink and aperitivo at he stylish Enoteca Mamma Elvira. Then you can eat at its offshoot restaurant La Cucina Mamma Elvira. Another great place to eat is at Dall’Antiquario, a quirky restaurant where you will see bikes on the walls.