The Puglia Podcast

The Puglia Guys

Conversation about life, culture, food and travel in Puglia, the heel of Italy's boot. Served up in English with a drizzle of Italian. Che bello!

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S4 · E2
August 26 · 41 min
Buying a House in Puglia
Buying a house in Puglia and not sure how to go about it or what to expect? We're often contacted about buying property in Puglia — where to buy, how the process works, and what foreign buyers should know about buying a house or home here. But as travel writers, rather than property professionals, that's a little outside our comfort zone. So, we decided to speak to the experts at Engel & Völkers Salento known as a leader in high-end residential real estate here in Salento (the southern part of Puglia), and let them answer the questions we're most often asked. This isn't legal advice. It isn't an investment guide. It's a conversation intended as a practical introduction for overseas buyers considering buying their first property in Puglia. Please take independent professional advice.
S4 · E1
August 12 · 55 min
Chiuso per Ferie - Closed for the Holidays | Ferragosto
Ferragosto, Italy's national summer holiday, is upon us. In this episode, we're joined by Puglia travel planner Luca of Puglia With Locals to explain why August can be such a busy (and sometimes surprising) time to visit Puglia and Italy. At the centre of the month is Ferragosto on 15 August. For Italians, it's a time for family, barbecues and days at the beach. For visitors, however, it can come as a surprise. Some businesses close for their annual holidays, restaurants may operate reduced hours or be fully booked well in advance, and much of the country seems to pause as locals head to the coast. If you're visiting Puglia in August, planning ahead is essential, particularly around Ferragosto. For more information on the best time to visit Puglia, see our Puglia Guys Puglia by Season guide. Plus, we look at Puglia's official Top 20 destinations of 2025 and see how they are shaping up this year.
S3 · E13
May 13 · 36 min
Brindisi City Guide
We visit Brindisi, one of Puglia's most underrated cities. Brindisi was once one of the great crossroads of the entire Mediterranean world. Julius Caesar blockaded its harbour. The Roman Empire's legions marched east from here. Crusader armies set sail from these waters for the Holy Land. Virgil, the greatest poet of the ancient world, died here. Shakespeare wrote about it. And in 1943, when Rome fell to German occupation, Brindisi became the capital city of Italy. Our Brindisi guide has details of all locations and restaurants recommended. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.
S3 · E12
April 29 · 33 min
Locorotondo City Guide
We visit Locorotondo, one of the prettiest towns in Puglia's Valle d'Itria. We cover the old town's highlights and walking route, the remarkable churches — including what is probably the oldest in the Valle d'Itria — Locorotondo's own DOC white wine appellation, which is significantly underrated, the best places to eat and drink, and the Locus Festival, which brings some of Italy's most interesting music programming to a masseria just outside town every August.There's also a word on Christmas, which Locorotondo does beautifully. You can find our complete guide to Locorotondo here. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.
S3 · E11
April 20 · 21 min
Useful Italian Phrases For Your Puglia Visit
A little Italian goes a long way! Italian is a beautiful language. It sings to you, and it's fun to try speaking it back. Even learning just a few simple words when visiting – ciao, buongiorno, grazie – brings a small sense of achievement. It's polite, and shows respect. Most travellers quickly discover that even a handful of basic phrases can lead to warmer interactions and more enjoyable everyday moments during a trip. In this episode Teresa from Punto e virgola Italian language school in Grottaglie coaches Scott Maxwell, the Puglia Guys perpetual Italian language learner, with some helpful words and phrases. At 16:20 she goes over the correct pronunciation of all your favourite Puglia destinations! No more tripping up over Alberobello, Ceglie, Cisternino, Otranto, Polignano and Taranto... To see the words and phrases in print, head to our Parli Italiano? website resource. For information on face to face or online Italian courses, as well as immersive Italian language experiences on offer at Punto e virgola, contact Teresa or follow them on Instagram.
S3 · E10
April 1 · 1 hr 1 min
An American in Puglia
We visit Kayla Savino, a Puglia based American luxury travel designer and founder of Storia Travel Club. Although Kayla works with clients traveling globally, her speciality is curating the perfect Puglia and Italy itinerary. We discover what brought Kayla to Puglia, the cultural challenges that she had to navigate as an American coming to live in Puglia, and the joys of sharing her lived-in experience with travelers coming to vacation in Italy, and Puglia in particular. We talk food, the Italian language and Puglia's best bits. Plus there's some insider travel tips from Kayla for visitors coming to Puglia. You can contact Kayla via the Storia Travel Club website or email her directly at kayla@storiatravelclub.com - be sure to let her know you heard her on the Puglia Podcast! For frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia follow the Puglia Guys on Instagram.
S3 · E9
March 18 · 1 hr 7 min
Wine Tasting in Puglia
Wine tasting in Puglia comes in many forms. Across the region, there are countless opportunities to visit local cantine, where tastings are typically centred on that producer's own wines, a great way to understand a single estate, its vineyards, and its production methods. An alternative approach is to experience a broader cross-section of Puglian wine in one sitting. That's why we chose a tasting in Locorotondo at Pavì Wine Restaurant. Here, Ignazio curates a selection of wines drawn from multiple producers across the region, offering a more comparative and panoramic introduction to Puglia's wine landscape. The experience is informal and immersive. Glasses clink, wine is poured generously, and it's all accompanied by excellent local food. Ignazio's enthusiasm shapes the tasting, guiding it beyond a standard format into something more personal and engaging. The wines we tasted in this episode were from a wider selection curated by Ignazio: Locorotondo Tagaro (white), Costiero Giustini (rose) and Ritunno Nero di Troia Puglia I.G.P. (red). For more information on Puglia's wine producing credentials, and pictures of the wine we tasted with Ignazio, visit our Puglia Guys Puglia Wine Guide. For information on visiting Pavì Wine Restaurant and Locorotondo, see our Puglia Guys Locorotondo City Guide. To arrange a wine tasting at Pavì Wine Restaurant in Locorotondo contact them via their Instagram - pavi_51 (be sure to tell them you heard the podcast). Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.
S3 · E8
March 4 · 34 min
Bari Vecchia Walking Tour and City Guide - Part 2
Continuing our Bari Vecchia guide, we shift perspective. We move away from ticking off sights, and focus on what to notice. Because what defines Bari Vecchia is not only its basilicas and castles, but the cultural details woven into its fabric: the food rituals, the ground-floor homes, the arches and shrines, the defensive towers hidden in plain sight, the way private life spills into public space. As you explore Bari Vecchia we encourage you to take in its everyday architecture. The street food traditions. The devotional details. The way space is shared. For detailed information on our route, locations and places to stop for refreshments along the way, see our companion Puglia Guys guide to Bari Vecchia. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.
S3 · E7
February 17 · 50 min
Bari Vecchia Walking Tour and City Guide - Part 1
Brilliant Bari Vecchia — Bari's historic old town — is one of the most compelling parts of our regional capital. Once a city most people passed through, Bari has become Puglia's most visited destination: a place of pilgrimage, welcoming those devoted to the cult of Saint Nicholas alongside visitors drawn by Bari Vecchia's extraordinary food scene. With its 4,000-year history, the old town doesn't reveal itself all at once. Much of what defines Bari Vecchia lies between the monuments: front doors opening onto cool, shaded alleyways; the sounds of food being prepared and families eating together; laundry hanging from balconies, drying slowly in the afternoon heat. Everyday life continues here in full view. Its streets are irregular, defensive and intentionally disorienting — a medieval urban maze built to slow intruders. It's easy to lose your bearings in Bari Vecchia. We still do. So, join us on our walking tour of Bari Vecchia, approaching the old city by neighbourhood: overlapping zones anchored by piazzas, churches and historic institutions. Discover the character and rhythm of each quarter as we explore Bari Vecchia and its history. For more information on our route, precise locations and places to stop for refreshments along the way, see our companion Puglia Guys guide to Bari Vecchia. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.
S3 · E6
Dec 10, 2025 · 22 min
Puglia 101: Essential Tips for First-Time Visitors
Puglia is one of Italy's most surprising destinations. Many travellers arrive expecting the familiar rhythms of "Italian tourism", only to discover that Puglia follows its own patterns: slower, more local, more traditional, and far more community-shaped than you might expect. For many travellers from the USA, Puglia feels both new and authentic — a place that hasn't been shaped around international tourism. But with this enthusiasm comes a learning curve. Puglia is not Tuscany. It is not Rome. It is not the Amalfi Coast. It has its own rhythms, its own cultural logic, and its own deeply-rooted way of life. Understanding those rhythms is the key to a richer, smoother, more meaningful trip. Welcome to Puglia 101: Essential Tips for First-Time Visitors. Everything you wish you'd known before your trip to the heel of Italy's boot. Follow us on Instagram for reels, stories, and daily inspiration. Use our Puglia Guide to plan your trip with confidence.
S3 · E5
Nov 26, 2025 · 28 min
When is the Best Time to Visit Puglia?
Knowing the best time to visit Puglia helps you plan realistically. Three factors really matter: weather, tourist numbers, and whether your chosen destination will be open for business. It's not just about avoiding the August crowds. From November to Easter, life in Puglia shifts indoors. The weather turns cold and damp — the kind of chill that seeps through stone walls and straight into your bones. Humidity makes it feel far colder. Rain is frequent, skies stay grey, and daylight is short. Life in much of Puglia slows right down. Away from the main cities our region slips into hibernation mode. For visitors, that means the experience changes dramatically outside the extended summer season. There may be fewer tourists, but there's less open and less happening: fewer dining options, fewer outdoor experiences — even fewer accommodation options. In this seasonal guide to Puglia, we highlight what to expect month by month in terms of weather and tourist numbers, and suggest where to go and what to do during Puglia's "not-summer" season. For more information, with weather snapshots over a year in Puglia, see our companion Puglia Guys guide on the best time to visit Puglia: a seasonal guide to Puglia. We live in Puglia all year round and provide practical tips on getting around, cultural insights and unique local experiences. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.
S3 · E4
Nov 12, 2025 · 45 min
Guided Travel In Puglia
Not everyone visiting Puglia wants to go it alone. Some travellers prefer the security and structure of a guided experience. It allows for connection — with the people, places, and traditions that make Puglia so special. And sometimes, having someone local by your side can open doors you'd never find alone. For travellers who don't want to drive around Puglia but also don't want the challenge of using public transport to reach harder-to-access corners of the region, guided travel offers the perfect solution. We speak with Luca Oliva of Puglia With Locals, a specialist travel designer and certified tour leader from Taranto, Puglia. For more information, check out our recommendations for guided travel in Puglia page. Remember to follow us on Instagram for reels, stories, and daily inspiration.
S3 · E3
Oct 29, 2025 · 36 min
From Saints to Shadows: The Dark Legends of Gargano
In this Halloween special, the Puglia Guys take you deep into the Gargano — Puglia's wild northern promontory where faith and fear have shared the same mountains for centuries. We begin in San Giovanni Rotondo, today one of the world's busiest pilgrimage sites, where millions come to honour Padre Pio, the friar who bore the stigmata and claimed to battle demons in the skies above his monastery. Then we climb higher still, to Monte Sant'Angelo, the ancient shrine of Saint Michael the Archangel — a place once said to mark the very gate of heaven. But where heaven opens so near to earth, shadows gather too. From Padre Pio's letters describing his nightly assaults by unseen forces, to the mist-filled Foresta Umbra, where locals whisper of the lupi mannari — the werewolves of Gargano — we follow the line where sanctity blurs into superstition. Pour yourself a glass of dark Puglian red — Negroamaro or Primitivo — and listen as we journey from pilgrimage to possession, from light into darkness. Faith, folklore and fear intertwine in this chilling exploration of Puglia's holiest and most haunted land. Follow us on Instagram - if you dare - for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.
S3 · E2
Oct 22, 2025 · 45 min
A Taste of Puglia | 20 Traditional Dishes to Try
In Puglia, food isn't just something you eat – it's how you understand the region itself. Every dish tells a story of the seasons, the land, the sea, and the people who live here. This is Italy's largest olive oil producer, its breadbasket, the country's second-biggest wine region – and the birthplace of burrata. From pasta scorched in its pan in Bari, to stuffed meat rolls sizzling on a braceria grill, to raw seafood eaten straight from the shell on a harbour wall, these are the dishes every visitor should try. They're the foods locals still cook, order, and argue over. These are the 20 must-eat dishes that define Puglia. For photos of all the dishes described (and more), check out our companion guide to the Taste of Puglia podcast episode. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.
S3 · E1
Oct 8, 2025 · 52 min
Olive Oil Tasting at Frantoio Savoia
Olive oil is the lifeblood of Puglia's landscape, culture and cuisine. With over 60 million olive trees, Puglia is Italy's top olive oil producer, accounting for around 40% of Italy's olive oil. From the monumental groves of Fasano to the sunburnt fields of Salento, olive oil has shaped Puglia's economy, its traditions and even its identity. October marks the start of the olive harvest in Puglia. The harvest marks the arrival of new oil, freshly pressed and full of flavour, and it's the moment when centuries of tradition and hard work come together in the groves and the mills. And there's no better way to celebrate this than with an olive oil tasting at Frantoio Savoia in Pezze di Greco, Fasano. Set in Masseria Pezze d'Aglio, an 18th-century farmhouse surrounded by sixty hectares of olive groves, the Savoia family produce award-winning extra-virgin olive oils that bridge past and present. Join us on our Puglia olive oil tasting with guide, Rosaria Pace, engaging and enthusiastic, one of the reasons why olive oil tasting at Frantoio Savoia is a stand-out experience. To find out more, check out our Puglia Guys guide to olive oil tasting, or visit Frantoio Savoia's website where you can arrange a visit. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.
S2 · E19
Jun 11, 2025 · 21 min
Slow Travel in Puglia, Plus Tips for Travelers from the USA
In Puglia we embrace a slower pace of life. Il dolce far niente (sweet idleness). It's part of our culture, reflected in all of our daily rituals. We give you our suggestions to leave behind the noise of daily life and experience Puglia in the here and now. And for visitors from the USA who really like to pack a full itinerary, we offer additional tips to slow down and help manage expectations for a more meaningful, local-friendly stay in Southern Italy. We're taking a summer break. See you the other side of summer. We will still be posting on our website and socials, so be sure to follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.
S2 · E18
May 28, 2025 · 28 min
Monopoli City Guide
Take a Chance. Advance to Go! Welcome to Monopoli (the city in Puglia, not the board game). Adjacent to and sometimes overshadowed by its near neighbour Polignano a Mare, Monopoli offers a quieter alternative for lunch or dinner. It has a pretty old town and enjoys a less frenetic pace. The old port with its characteristic light blue and red blue fishing boats and green fishing nets drying under the sun invites you into the beating heart of its centro storico. Its medieval center, characterised by churches and convents, is compact and charming. For details and locations of the beaches, churches and restaurants mentioned in this episode, see our companion Puglia Guys Monopoli City Guide. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your visit to Puglia.
S2 · E17
May 21, 2025 · 31 min
Alberobello City and Walking Tour Guide
Think of Puglia and you will probably picture Alberobello's trulli - as iconic as Polignano a Mare's Lama Monachile - and just as likely to grace the cover of the latest edition of The Lonely Planet Guide to Puglia. Although they feature across the Itria Valley, it is the concentration of trulli found in Alberobello that makes it unique. Drawing a stream of visitors all year round tourism takes centre stage in Alberobello. Most trulli in the crowded commercialised Monti district are shops; those that are not are restaurants. Unprepared for its crowds and commercialisation, visitors can leave Alberobello feeling underwhelmed. The crowds, souvenir shops, and selfie sticks can distract from the magic. Yet no trip to Puglia would be complete without visiting Puglia's trulli. And it is still possible to discover some of the town's quieter, "secret" spaces. For fuller details, including map locations nd full restaurant details, visit our companion Puglia Guys Alberobello Guide. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.
S2 · E16
May 14, 2025 · 16 min
What's a Masseria?
The masseria is one of the defining features of Puglia's landscape. And, let's get one thing straight: a masseria is not a villa. Where northern Italian villas were retreats for the wealthy, all frescoes and fountains, Puglia's masserie were born of necessity. Masserie (that's one masseria, two masserie) are living records of a region that has always had to defend itself — from pirates, plagues, bandits, and even bureaucracy. With our resident Bari Puglia Guy, Andrea Visaggio, we explore the history and timeless legacy that is the Puglia Masseria. For more information and recommended masserie to visit, check out our Puglia Guys Masseria Guide. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your visit to Puglia.
S2 · E15
May 7, 2025 · 22 min
Polignano A Mare City Guide
We visit Polignano a Mare, the place with the iconic beach you've probably seen in every guide book to Puglia. The eating is great, from polpo panini, to gelato (Polignano is known for its gelato) and special coffee. There's even a Polignano version of spaghetti all'assassina, with octopus. But there's more to Polignano than seafood and gelato. There's Domenico Modugno. Everybody knows his most famous song, right? It came 3rd in 1958's Eurovision Song Contest. But it spent five non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, and subsequently became Billboard's number-one single for 1958. In 1959, at the 1st Annual Grammy Awards, Modugno's recording became the first ever Grammy winner for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year. The combined sales of all the versions of the song exceed 18 million copies worldwide, making it one of the all-time most popular Italian songs. We know it as Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu. You know it as Volare (oh-ho)! For more information on the places, restaurants and locations mentioned in this episode visit our Puglia Guys Polignano a Mare city guide. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your visit to Puglia.

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