Choosing to spend your holidays in Apulia means immersing yourself in a truly special land. This Italian region is considered the land of hospitality and the sun as well as a treasure trove of art, history and nature. The enchanting beaches respond to the most varied preferences: stretches of soft golden sand or, for the more adventurous, rocky coasts to be explored.
The climate is truly a strong point of the Italian regions located in the south of the peninsula: hot, dry summers and mild, sunny winters make it perfect as a destination all year round. That’s why many foreigners even consider the possibility to relocate in these regions, as a matter of fact, there’s an increasing demand for beach houses for sale in Puglia.
Why Choose Puglia all Year Round
As mentioned, in this Italian region, as in the neighboring southern regions bordering the Mediterranean Sea, the climate is truly a strong point. This makes Apulia pleasantly livable (and not only for tourists!) as well as influencing crops and the growth of vegetables and fruits. In fact, the local specialties range from the highest quality oil to cheeses and sausages with a typically Apulian flavor.
The region is mostly flat except for some gentle hills; therefore, in months preceding the summer (approximately from October to the end of April – beginning of May) lends itself to pleasant trips to its fantastic medieval villages nestled with skill among the colorful countryside. Just think of the beauty of Lecce, with its Baroque style and its elevations of “kind stone”, i.e., the limestone typical of the Lecce quarries, making everything very characteristic.
The Sea
The sea and the coasts deserve a separate mention. In fact, it must be kept in mind that Puglia is a region entirely developed on the peninsula; the Italians call it “the heel of the boot”. This offers kilometers of magnificent coasts washed by both the Adriatic and Ionian seas; you can watch both sunrise and sunset on the sea, only by changing coast! Furthermore, as mentioned, the coast is truly varied.
The Food
Apulian cuisine is characterized by a very strong link with the territory. Legumes, fish, vegetables, fruit… this land offers everything you need for an excellent and healthy Mediterranean diet. The mild climate allows the production of tasty and characteristic seasonal vegetables. All the typical cuisine uses the ingredients to enhance the flavor of the raw materials without altering it.
The recipes vary from province to province, due to the conformation of the territory. In fact, the traditional recipes of Bari, Taranto and Brindisi, mostly based on fish, differ markedly from the recipes of the province of Foggia or Lecce, which are based more on land products.
Furthermore, the attention to nature and the territory by the inhabitants means that the recipes also adapt to the cycle of the seasons. In fact, different dishes are offered: in summer and spring there will be a predominance of dishes based on vegetables (in season) and fish; in winter and autumn there will be more homemade pasta, legumes, sauces.