• When to Go: Visit it all year; in November, when the olive harvest is in full swing; in February-March celebrating Carnival in Putignano, which hosts one of Europe’s oldest and longest pre-Lenten festivals; in December , discovering traditional Christmas markets or cribs.
• How to Get Around: Fly into Bari or Brindisi. Once in Puglia, travel the region aboard the national and semiprivate trains that run along the coast and into the interior. You can also travel by private coaches or cars with personal driver.
• Where to Stay: Explore the long heel of Italy’s boot to discover sights, tastes, and gorgeous seascapes you’ll find nowhere else. For the best of authentic Puglia, stay at a “Masseria”, a working farmhouse that’s traditionally been fortified against attacks; stay in a historical palace or in a country manor to live this wonderful land indeed.
• What to Buy: Shop for traditional Salentine crafts—cartapesta (papier-mâché) figurines, marsh-reed baskets, Leccese stone carvings, and wrought-iron candlesticks. You can buy also traditional food of the apulian tradition (taralli, pasta, focaccia etc…)
• Cultural Tip: When in doubt, smile and say “prego”. This word has multiple meanings, including “You’re welcome,” in response to grazie; “You’re welcome to” or “Please do,” as an invitation to do something; “Can I help you?” or “What would you like to order?”; and “Go ahead” or “Help yourself.”