Episode #309: Puglia Before Everyone Else Gets There

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Looking for a relaxed and authentic Southern Italian adventure? Explore charming towns, ancient olive groves, memorable food and standout experiences in Italy’s up-and-coming Puglia region, with insider tips to help you make the most of your visit.

Contents

Summary

In this episode, we welcome back Untold Italy Tour's Chief Experience Officer and guide Olivia Windsor to explore one of Italy’s most captivating and up-and-coming regions – Puglia. From whitewashed towns and ancient olive groves to warm local hospitality, we share the experiences and hidden gems that make the Untold Italy signature Puglia tour so memorable. You’ll discover what sets this region apart, how to get the most from your visit, and those magical unscripted moments that define travel in Italy’s heel. Get in touch with us at info@untolditalytours.com if you would like to know more about Untold Italy Tours.

What you'll learn in this episode

Puglia feels different from anywhere else in Italy – from its relaxed southern rhythm and generous hospitality to its blend of chic design, whitewashed towns, red earth landscapes and monumental ancient olive trees, creating a region that feels both elegant and deeply authentic
Puglia’s towns and landscapes offer an extraordinary variety – from baroque Lecce and vibrant Bari to the community-centred villages of the Itria Valley, the trulli of Alberobello, coastal beauty in Polignano a Mare, and the cinematic cave city of Matera, each with its own identity and atmosphere
What truly defines Puglian culture and hospitality: personal encounters with artisans, farmers and food producers, spontaneous local generosity, storytelling, and a genuine warmth that shapes experiences far more than polished tourism or commercial attractions
Food is woven into everyday life in Puglia – from aperitivos and seafood feasts to cheese-making, olive oil production, seasonal local cooking, and the way meals become social rituals rooted in simplicity, quality ingredients and shared connection
Get tips on how to plan a meaningful trip to Puglia – including when to go, how to move around, where to stay, how tourism is still evolving, and how to combine iconic highlights with quieter local experiences for a journey that feels immersive rather than crowded

Timeline Overview

04:42 Why Puglia has become such a compelling destination, with its relaxed southern pace, striking landscapes and appeal as an alternative to Italy’s busier regions
08:33 How the contrasts between cities, countryside towns and coastline create a varied and richly layered experience across Puglia
13:05 What defines an authentic southern Italian experience in Puglia, from warm local hospitality and slow meals to everyday moments that reveal true local life
17:13 Stories of hidden gems, special places to stay and meaningful encounters with local people that turn a trip into something deeply memorable
30:12 Practical travel advice on getting around Puglia, why a car makes a difference, and how to plan routes and logistics for a smooth and rewarding visit

About Untold Italy Tours

Untold Italy Tours creates small group journeys that take you beyond the guidebook and into the heart of local life. Each itinerary is carefully curated with our Italian friends to reveal authentic traditions, regional flavors, and the people who make Italy so unforgettable. Designed for curious travelers, our tours are intimate, effortless, and full of moments that feel like a dream come true.

Learn more: Untold Italy Tours website • Instagram • Facebook

About our guest – Olivia Windsor

Olivia, an Australian who moved to Italy in May 2019, and is based in Rome. She has recently launched the Italian wine site Italian Wine Tales with her husband Andrea, where you'll find not only the best wines to try, but also information on all the Italian wine regions, the best wine tours and wine clubs you can join.

Olivia has explored Italy from south to north, working in agriturismi and organic wineries before settling in Turin, Piedmont, for a few years after meeting a local Piemontese, Andrea. They are both now based in Rome and Olivia, Untold Italy's Chief Experience Officer, has created and hosted various Untold Italy Tours, as well as offering trip consults.

Follow Liv here

Italian places, foods and concepts mentioned

Places

Bari – capital city of Puglia
Monopoli – a coastal town in Puglia, home to the Baroque Monopoli Cathedral
Ostuni – another gorgeous town in Puglia, so famous for the white-washed houses that it is known as the white city – la Città Bianca
Polignano a Mare – beautiful old town in Puglia with a dramatic cliffside
Valle de Itria – area in Puglia where you'll find the towns of Martina Franca, Locorotondo, Cisternino and Ceglie Messapica (and lots of Trulli)
Alberobello – a town known as the city of Trulli
Lecce – elegant Puglian city
Locorotondo – town in Puglia, famous for its Christmas decorations
Martina Franca – a town in Puglia, with a charming old quarter full of winding alleys and white-washed houses
Matera – city in nearby Basilicata, where you'll find cave dwellings and an ancient past
Bari Centrale – train station in Bari, which connects by high-speed train to Rome

Words / Concepts

caseificio – a dairy/cheese makers in Italy
Flavia Giordano – cookbook author and food educator of Spaghetti ABC and guest on the podcast in episodes 233 and 266
Pumo – the traditional symbol of Puglia. Usually ceramic, it represents the bud of the Acanthus flower, a symbol of prosperity and fertility. It dates back to the Greek and Roman times, and the name is derived from the goddess Pomona, protector of all fruits
FlixBus – the biggest bus network in Italy and across Europe. You can book directly, through OMIO or the FlixBus app
abbraccio – Italian for hug
Brené Brown – American writer, academic and speaker – on topics of human nature, including vulnerability, courage, shame, and empathy

Plan your Italian adventures with Untold Italy

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Untold Italy Tours

Founded in 2022, our small group tour company takes curious travelers on multi-day adventures to Italy's lesser-known regions and to secret spots in places that are better known. Departing in Spring and Fall/Autumn, each trip focuses on food and wine, local traditions and uncovering the Italy you've always dreamed of > learn more.

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