A romantic land, bathed by the sun where the climate is always mild and gastronomy is excellent: Valle d’Itria is a triangle of land surrounded by ancient olive trees, dry stone walls and stretches of Trulli as far as the eye can see. In short, it is the ideal destination to spend an unforgettable vacation.

In the morning, you can explore two white picturesque villages: Locorotondo and Cisternino. Locorotondo is known for its round historical centre, from which derives its name, meaning “Round place”. It was in fact built on a circular plan with narrow concentric streets lined with white terraced houses.

The beauty of the historic centre is represented by this labyrinth of white alleys where the houses end with the unusual pitched roofs called “Cummerse”, a feature typical of the historical centre of Locorotondo.The historic centre will enchant you with its whitewashed walls and brightly coloured geraniums beaming from the wrought-iron balconies.

Cisternino, boasts a small, utterly charming old town centre that has remained virtually intact for centuries. Its whitewashed houses, narrow, shady streets, historic churches and elegant central piazza, open out onto a series of panoramic viewpoints from which you can admire the surrounding countryside with its rolling hills.

You don’t need to go to a restaurant for lunch in Cisternino, however, as the town is famous for its barbecuing butchers! All you have to do is choose your meat ,maybe the local speciality, and take a seat outside with a carafe of local wine. The butcher will then barbecue your chosen goodies and bring them out to you when ready. A truly local and delicious eating experience!

In the afternoon you can visit Alberobello that will crown your day with its timeless, fairytale beauty. Here you can find all the best things to do in Alberobello. The town of Alberobello is Itria Valley’s premier location to see Trulli, the cone-shaped houses distinctive to Apulia.

No where else in the world will you find such a unique town of charming, narrow streets where the inhabitants live in “Trulli,” small conical-roofed houses initially built without the use of mortar and with only dry stones piled one on top of the other and crowned with limestone roofs, which artfully supply pinnacles of magical significance.

One of the best things to do in Alberobello is to take a stroll through Rione Monti, famous for its Trulli and artisan shops arriving at the Trullo-designed church of Saint Anthony (Sant’Antonio). From here, stroll back down, approaching the less-touristic Rione Aia Piccola: the silence of its alleyways and Trulli will instill in you that authentic atmosphere that once was Alberobello.

You should then visit “La Casa d’ Amore”, one of the town’s first houses, “Il Museo del Territorio”, with its beautiful collection of artisan/farming tools, the neoclassical church of “San Cosma e Damiano”, and finally, the two-floor “Trullo Sovrano”, considered the tallest and most majestic Trullo in Alberobello.

After passing Piazza del Popolo, invaded by swallows in typical festive spirit, stop for sunset at the Belvedere to experience the classic view of all of Alberobello’s Trulli and get ready for a memorable photo.

For a quiet spot to watch the sunset over Alberobello, we recommend Casedda a Cummersa. Walk through the family-run shop (housed in a Trullo, naturally), then order a glass of wine, beer or Aperol Spritz.

You’ll be in on the roof looking over the village with only a few tables and chairs decorated with fairylights and flowers, but if you want a tourist-free place to enjoy a cold glass of wine while the sun goes down, this is it.

For dinner, we recommend the romantic “L’ Aratro”, a renowned slow food restaurant inside a Trullo where you will find the colours, tastes and scents of Apulian cuisine.

Did you know? Many of the Trullo roofs are crudely painted with whitewashed symbols, most of which relate to Christianity – such as the somewhat brutal image of Mary’s pierced heart. The more opaque letters (S, C, S and D) relate to the saints, although no one concretely knows which.

Others have astrological or Pagan roots, like the evil eye, for example. Mysterious and with a fairytale-like allure, the roofs of the Trulli could well be a metaphor for the town of Alberobello itself.

Don’t miss:

If you love real experiences, off the beaten track, this is one of the best things to to in Alberobello: choose to stay in a luxury resort housed within a Trullo, the typical stone house with the characteristic cone-shaped roof like that of the Trulli Resort. Sleep in a Trullo, can be a special embrace for newlyweds seeking new emotions.

Another alternative type of accommodation from Puglia are the famous and appreciated masserie – elegant farms- and they are an excellent choice if you prefer to stay in a nature setting.

Some of these farms in Puglia have an elegant and luxury atmosphere like the beautiful Masseria Torre Coccaro, which offers all the privacy and services for a comfortable and special stay.

Another dream option, if you have a larger budget to spend, is to stay in a super-luxury hotel like that of the Peschiera 5*. A room with a veranda overlooking a few meters from the sea on one side and, on the other, a large swimming pool with all the amenities to relax and enjoy the sun of Puglia.