Apulia

Apulia, or Puglia as it is called in Italian, is the ‘heel’ of Italy’s ‘boot’ shape in the south east of the country, stretching northwards from the province of Lecce to Foggia. This mountainous region produces about ten percent of Europe’s wine from its acres of vineyards, as well as first-class olive oil, both which complement the wonderful local seafood and vegetable dishes. Less crowded that some northern parts of Italy, this area offers a host of ancient Greek and Roman ruins, medieval towns, a string of fishing villages, and one of the largest forests in Europe. Its beaches and Mediterranean waters are clean, whist inland you’ll find narrow roads, beautiful valleys filled with wild flowers, and fields featuring white cones (‘trullo’) which serve as tiny barns.