Things to do
Valle d'Itria
The wedding is based in the area of Valle d’Itria area (or Itria Valley), in the heart of Puglia region. This area is characterised by charming villages, historic towns, vineyards, miles after miles of olive groves and the ‘trulli’ (whitewashed, cone-roofed houses) that dot the countryside. The trulli lends an almost fairy-tale like element to this beautiful valley! – but spend some time here and you’ll discover a gorgeous region with atmospheric towns, terrific food, wines and stunning vistas. Within Valle d'Itria there is much to explore within less than 20-30min. Some small towns to put on your day trip schedule: Alberobello, Martina Franca, Locorotondo, Cisternino and our favourite Ostuni. Close by are the seaside towns of : Polignano a mare and Monopoli, with beaches along their coastline to relax or cool down. If you plan a longer stay you can explore more of Puglia : Lecce, Gallipoli and Matera (technically not Puglia but very close)
Wedding Venue - Leonardo Trulli Resort
The wedding venue to right in the heart of the Valle d'Itria area, making a great base to explore. The closest town/village is Locorotondo, only 2.5 km
Locorotondo
(Locorotondo is located in the middle of Valle d'Itria, and the town is right near the wedding venue) Locorotondo is a pretty little town. Its hilltop position means that you can see the town from miles around and once you’re up there, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the Itria Valley. Its whitewashed houses, narrow, shady streets make it the perfect edition to a road trip for a few hours.
Alberobello
(10 min from Locorotondo) Alberobello is perhaps the most famous town in the Valle d'Itria due to its famous trulli houses. The conical rooftops coupled with charming cobblestone alleys and whitewashed houses are a simply magical sight. The old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consists of a maze of streets and steps lined by trulli; drystone dwellings that were built using prehistoric techniques.
Cisternino
(10 min from Locorotondo) Like its sisters towns of Locorotono and Alberabello, Cisternino, boasts a small, utterly charming old town centre that has remained virtually intact for centuries.
Martina Franca
(10 min from Locorotondo) One of the largest towns of the beautiful Valle d’Itria, Martina Franca, Puglia, is a real gem of a place but less visited than some of the smaller neighbouring villages. Photo opportunities abound in this hilltop town, and a short visit will reveal a well kept historic center, with narrow winding alleys, whitewashed buildings, and baroque churches.
Ostuni
(30 min from Locorotondo) Arguably the most sophisticated town in Valle d’Itria, this hilltop town has views to the Adriatic seas. This white town, charming and unique with its white washed houses. Rising high above the vast olive-carpeted plateau of the lower Murgia, Ostuni has strong defensive walls and tumbling clusters of white-washed houses wind around the hillside. A must visit in the area.
Polignano a Mare
(30 min from Locorotondo) Polignano a Mare is a beautiful little town on the Italian coast, and an essential part of any trip through Puglia. Polignano juts into the sea on a rocky promontory above a bay whose cliffs are full of caves. There are no major sites in town, but it’s charming and atmospheric. The houses are built directly into the cliff face and look as if they’re about to fall into the sea.
Monopoli
(25 min from Locorotondo) Monopoli is a bustling old fishing town recognizable from its historic white and brown structures and seafront walls overlooking the scenic Adriatic Coast. Castles and palaces adorn the Old Town area. A good good base on the coast, link to beaches and a old town that comes alive with both locals and visitors.
Beaches and Beach Clubs (lido)
(20 - 30 min from Locorotondo) Scattered across the coast are both public and private beaches, perfect to relax or cool off during the heat of the day. You will find sandy, rocky and grotto beaches, of various types. Beaches are more authentic and local, while there are still a few high end lido beach clubs and beach restaurants - closer to one of Madonna's favourite holiday destinations We can share recommendations closer to the trip. Puglia can get hot through the day. The beach or pool is ideal to cool off in the heat then explore the towns in the cooler mornings and at the evening when the towns come alive.
Eat, eat, eat and drink
Eating and drinking, that's what holidays are all about. Puglia has many regional dishes worth trying, with many towns having their own special dishes. The local wine is not only amazing but great value.
Lecce
IN PUGLIA BUT OUTSIDE VALLE D'ITRIA NOT SHOWN ON THE MAP (1 hr from Locorotondo) Lecce, often hailed as ‘the Florence’ of southern Italy, is an aesthetic treasure to behold featuring Baroque style art and architecture; however, this is a unique type a southern Italian Baroque.
Gallipoli
IN PUGLIA BUT OUTSIDE VALLE D'ITRIA NOT SHOWN ON THE MAP (1.5 hr from Locorotondo) Gallipoli in Puglia (Italy), the pearl of Salento, is well renowned for its impressive beaches and for the charming of its small-fortified historical city center. Its name derives from the original Greek name ‘Kalé polis’ meaning ‘beautiful city’.
Matera
JUST OUTSIDE PUGLIA NOT SHOWN ON THE MAP (1 hr from Locorotondo) The city on a rocky outcrop consists of cave dwellings in the mountainside. For years Matera wasn’t well known to foreign visitors, but that has been changing since it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, a European Capital of Culture in 2019, and the 2021 James Bond film No Time to Die was filmed here.