There’s something magical about Puglia that feels different from the rest of Italy. Maybe it’s the slower pace, the olive groves stretching endlessly into the distance, or the way each town seems to have its own distinct personality. During our three-week honeymoon through Italy with our toddler, Puglia became one of the most memorable parts of the trip. From whitewashed hill towns to Baroque cities and fairytale villages filled with Trulli houses, every stop gave us a new favorite moment.

Alberobello

Alberobello felt like nowhere else in Italy. The town is famous for its Trulli houses, the small white stone buildings with cone-shaped roofs that make the streets feel almost storybook-like. We loved wandering through them and taking in how unique the architecture is. It is also where I had one of the best surprises of the trip: the most amazing chocolate croissants, just like the ones I remembered from studying in Italy in college. I had not found anything close to them during our entire three-week honeymoon until that moment in Alberobello.

Shop Our Style

Ostuni

Ostuni, known as “The White City,” felt like stepping into a postcard. Perched on a hill overlooking olive groves and the Adriatic in the distance, its maze of whitewashed streets glowed in the sun. The city’s history runs deep, shaped by the Messapians, Romans, Byzantines, and more, all leaving their mark on its layered architecture. Beyond its history, Ostuni also felt effortlessly modern and lively. One of our favorite discoveries was Sponda, an incredible coffee and lifestyle shop that completely made my day. It captured everything we loved about the town in one place.

Lecce

Lecce completely captivated us with its incredible Baroque architecture. Often called the “Florence of the South,” the city is filled with ornate churches and golden limestone buildings that seem almost carved from lace. Even though it rained during our visit, we still had a great time exploring. We ducked into a cozy coffee shop for lunch during the worst of it and watched the city slow down outside. Once the rain eased, we wandered the streets again and appreciated just how beautiful Lecce really is.

Puglia surprised us in the best possible way. Each city had its own rhythm and character—Ostuni’s bright charm, Lecce’s dramatic elegance, and Alberobello’s fairytale atmosphere—but together they created some of our favorite memories from Italy. Traveling through the region with our toddler added an extra layer of adventure and sweetness to the experience, reminding us to slow down and savor the small moments: a perfect cappuccino, sheltering from the rain, or an unforgettable chocolate croissant in a tiny piazza. Puglia is the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave.

XOXO