1. It was nice to drive along with olive fields slowly, in great peace.
2. escaping tourist crowds on the limestone-covered Gargano Peninsula (a national park), in the northern tip of Puglia - the wonderful Old Town of Vieste
3. the atmospheric port and full white Old Town of Monopoli
4. the surprisingly large selection of beers in Monopoly
5. Polignano a Mare was one of our favorites in Puglia - the old port with the small boats was so lovable - the houses built on the rocks made a deep impression on us
6. Near Alberobello, in the environment of small villages and olive fields, the Trulli are more attractive than in the touristy, crowded town itself.
7. We were surprised that most old houses in Puglia are in better condition than those in many northern Italian cities.
8. In Martina Franca, observe the locals as they fill the streets and squares.
9. Lecce is a must-see - elegant in its own way
10. We felt Puglia cheap, especially when we bought this and that in a supermarket.
11. Fiume di Chidro (sea&river confluence) - Spiaggia del Aquafredda
v.g. photo
1. Puglia is not anymore an off-the-beaten-track destination within Italy - especially Alberobello and Monopoli became a victim of over-tourism.
2. On the way from the Gargano Peninsula to Trani, the landscape was somewhat bleak, and many litters uglify the secondary roads' sides.
3. We failed to fall in love with Trani.
4. Castel del Monte was a disappointment.
5. The litters and the smelly seaweed on some beaches (e.g., at Monopoli)
6. We could barely make progress on Polignano's old town's streets due to the large tourist crowd.
7. The trulli looks exciting from the outside, but the cramped interior is not comfortable to live in.