Puglia is the heel of Italy, also called Apulia by foreigners - the land of olive trees, Trulli houses and Masserie

The best extra virgin olive oil in the Mediterranean area comes from the centuries-old trees and the red soil of this region.

This is the only place in the world where you find Trulli houses, ancient dry stone constructions with cone-shaped roofs that were used in the past as temporary field shelters and storehouses or as permanent dwellings. Many of them have whitewashed Christian symbols painted on the cones and have been perfectly renovated to become stunning B&Bs, luxury hotels or private villas. They are scattered on this territory but there is an entire town of Trulli called Alberobello.

Masserie (the plural of masseria) are ancient fortified farmhouses or country houses, dating from the 16th to 19th centuries. You find them in amazing countryside settings along the coast from Bari to Brindisi. Lodging ranges from rustic to luxurious and many of them are still working farms producing olive oil and wine.