The Puglia region (referred to often as the heel of Italy's 'boot') remains a relatively unexplored part of the country. I certainly found this one of its charms, together with characterful baroque villages, trullo houses, sandy beaches and excellent cuisine.
The hotel Canne Bianche is a wonderful beachside retreat, perfectly positioned for visiting the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Alberobello, Castel del Monte and the 'white city' of Ostuni (a gentle meander to the cathedral at the town's highest point is certainly worth it for the spectacular views.) For those simply looking for a Italian beach holiday, this property is perfect - just a 45-minute drive from Bari (or 30 minutes from Brindisi). The style is very 'beach-house chic' and the public areas are decorated in neutral colours and natural materials with a marine flair. My recommendation would be to book a junior suite with sea view, all of which have their own balconies: a perfect spot to enjoy a glass of chilled Prosecco and local taralli biscuits at sunset. This brings me to the cookery classes offered by the hotel, where I mastered the art of making this local speciality - with simply flour, salt, olive oil and white wine. I never imagined something so simple could taste so delicious! Besides taralli I was also introduced to burrata cheese - a wonderful regional speciality consisting of mozzarella and cream. Classes in delicious homemade orecchiette pasta, sea food preparation and creating the perfect ragu sauce can also be arranged. Keeping with the culinary thread, day trips are regularly organised to local olive oil and cheese producers for tastings.
Finally, after all this hard work, a visit to the spa is essential! Surprisingly large for a hotel of its size, AQUA spa has an extensive range of treatments which can be tailored to clients' requirements, using natural products, some of which are sourced from the hotel's botanical garden.
The Puglia region can easily be combined with the Amalfi Coast or northern Italian cities for a longer multi-centre holiday - I would be delighted to help design an itinerary to include the highlights. But in my opinion Puglia has enough fascinating sights, activities - and delicious cuisine - to merit a stay here alone. The region suits all interests and encompasses rural, city and beach life. Why not step away from the beaten track and discover the delights of Puglia!
