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.

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The masseria is one of the defining features of the 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.

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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.

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