Perfect Puglia

A perfect vacation? You might think it doesn't exist, but this summer, we proved otherwise. Italy is a favorite for many, but Puglia in particular is like a little secret between you and the vacation gods. Unabashedly authentic, effortlessly charming and deliciously decadent, Puglia is perfect in every way.

We began our adventure with one night in Rome, where every proud Roman we encountered surprised us with their excitement for what was awaiting us ... in Puglia. Not to downplay our time in the "Eternal City," whose magnitude and majesty was palpable everywhere we went. But it soon became apparent to us that in Puglia, lies treasure.  

Puglia forms the heel of Italy's "boot" and is home to ancient towns with whitewashed walls, water so warm, blue and clear it feels almost tropical, and food made with everything you want and nothing you don't want. It stretches from one town after another, with each offering the region's signature treasures along with its own quirks and charm. To visit each town is to receive every one of Puglia's abundant gifts, and we wouldn't want to be rude, would we?

Puglia is also home to, well, people. Actual Italian people, living in their Italian homes, living their Italian lives. The town butcher, baker and grocer, each playing their part in providing the day's fare, were out of a storybook. And the nonnas chatting with each other from their balconies while hanging their laundry were a vibe all their own. A tourist destination that isn't overrun with tourists, Puglia strikes the perfect balance.

Land versus water was the decision for each day, and thankfully, we could never go wrong. We either traversed the vast countryside by car, visiting ancient villages and attempting to sample every type of Puglian sandwich that exists (there are many). Or we explored its shoreline by boat, marveling at the radiant architecture or cliffs, both gleaming in the sun. Either way, we were totally enchanted.

At beach after beach, we were delighted with water in luxurious shades of blue and waves so warm, gentle and soothing, you could be lulled into an afternoon nap if you weren't halfway out to sea. Caves, grottoes and lagoons turned each of us into coastal explorers, although each secret hideaway seemed better fit for mermaids than mere landlubbers like us.

Strolling around on foot was not without its spoils, either. The Centro Storicos, or historic city centers, each held their own adventures, with new piazzas, cathedrals and fountains waiting to surprise around every corner. What better way to walk off all that pasta and gelato?

Fewer decisions had to be made in the evenings, when the blistering heat would give way to coastal breezes and locals would emerge from their homes to gather in the town square. (Yes, it really was that charming.) The elderly would set up folding chairs outside their doors, fathers and sons would kick soccer balls in the piazzas and we would go in search of our daily gelato.

With its endless spoils, Puglia completely captivated us. From the perfect food, to the perfect beaches, to the perfect scenery, it delivered in every way. It goes without saying that you can't always get what you want in life. But on vacation? Maybe it is possible after all.