Category: Cities

• Puglian Beaches make Top 10 List!

  The Guardian recently posted an article in their newspaper about the lesser known, but spectacular beaches from all over the world, and Torre Lapillo Bay, Puglia, made their Top 10 List! This is what they had to say: In Salento, southern Puglia, the Porto Cesareo area enjoys a coast of white sand and shimmering turquoise […]

  Valerie Knott

  28/04/2015

  Cities

  Beach holidays, Beautiful beaches, Best beaches in the World, Italian holidays, Italy, Maldives of Italy, Porto Cesareo, Puglia, Puglian Beaches, Salento, Southern Italy, The Guardian, Top 10 beaches in the World, Torre Lapillo Bay

• Symbolic, Historic and Steeped in Tradition: The Holy Processions of Francavilla Fontana.

  One of the most important dates in the Catholic calendar is almost upon us, and in Francavilla Fontana, the rites of the Holy Week are not only symbolic, historic and steeped in tradition, they are a must see ritual that bewilders all onlookers, even the locals. Here are all the important dates and times of […]

  Valerie Knott

  26/03/2015

  Cities, Culture and Traditions, Events

  Christian Rituals, Culture, Easter, events, Francavilla Fontana, Historic events, Hooded men carrying crosses through the town, Pasqua, Puglia, Rites of the Holy Week, Riti della settimana santa, Southern Italy, Symbolic, Traditions

• Le Rezze of San Vito Dei Normanni, Puglia.

  The day had arrived, I finally found my dream home in Southern Italy! Full of excitement I decided to explore the town and the community that I had just bought into. Meandering through the streets of San Vito Dei Normanni in the province of Brindisi, Puglia, my first impression was, ‘Where is everyone’? It was […]

  Valerie Knott

  22/03/2015

  Cities, Culture and Traditions

  Ama Rezza, art, events, Festivals, Italian blogs, Italian Culture, Italy, La Locanda di Nonna Mena, Passion, Pizzica, Puglia, Rezza, Rezze, San Vito Dei Normanni, Southern Italy, Traditions

• Did Putignano Carnival Live Up To Expectations?

  Well, I finally did it! After living in Puglia for just over 4 years, I finally managed to see the infamous Putignano Carnival! And I think I timed it perfectly! The weather was beautiful, the sun was shining and there was a little nip in the air, but it all added to the excitement of […]

  Valerie Knott

  19/02/2015

  Cities, Culture and Traditions, Events

  art, Carnivals, Dancing, Giant floats, Italian Culture, Italian Traditions, Italy, music, Paper-màche, Putignano Carnival, Spettacolo, Street food

• Puglia – Best travel destination as voted for by National Geographic!

  Although I’m a little biased, I have to agree with the latest accolades coming from National Geographic. They have put together a list of ‘must-see’ travel hot spots for this year, and Puglia is amongst those culturally rich, destinations. This is what National Geographic have to say on Puglia. Puglia – Where Old Ways Still […]

  Valerie Knott

  06/02/2015

  Cities, Culture and Traditions, Events

  Alberobello, Culture, food, Holiday destination, Italian blogs, Italian Culture, Italian food, Italian Traditions, Italy, Leece, Masseria, National Geographic, Puglia, Top holiday spots, Traditions, wine

• The Bearded Brides of Grottaglie!

  Grottaglie, located in the Taranto Province of Puglia, is famous for its ‘artigianale’ pottery, in particular: ‘Pumi’, bearded brides and household crockery! It is steep in history and tradition which dates back to the 17th Century. Grottaglie pottery is so renowned that it has been awarded a D.O.C (Denominazione di Origine Controllata). You may have […]

  Valerie Knott

  05/02/2015

  Cities, Culture and Traditions

  Artigianale artwork, Artists, Beared Brides, Ceramics of Grottaglie, Crockery, D.O.C, Grottaglie, Hand painted tiles, Pottery, Province of Taranto, Puglia, Pumi

• It’s Carnival Time! – Putignano Spettacolo!

  This year I have to do it! The Putignano Carnival that is! Previous years, the weather hasn’t been so kind, so this event has eluded me. The Putignano Carnival is a major event in Puglia, in fact, it is one of the biggest carnivals in Italy and one of the oldest too, dating back to […]

  Valerie Knott

  28/01/2015

  Cities, Culture and Traditions, Events

  art, Carnevale, Carnival masks, Carnivals, Cities, events, Italy, Lent, Longest running Carnival, music, Oldest Carnival in Italy, Paper-màche, Puglia, Putignano Carnival, San Stefano, St. Stephen

• Trulli Amazing!

  The Trullo is a distictive, small, dry-stone building with a conical roof which is specific to the Itria Valley in the Italian region of Puglia. Trulli are found extensively in Alberobello and in the areas around Locorotondo, Fasano, Ostuni, Cisternino, Martina Franca and Ceglie Messapica. The word originated from a Greek word meaning cupola and […]

  Valerie Knott

  12/01/2015

  Cities, Culture and Traditions

  Alberobello, Cone houses, Construction of Trullo, History of the Trullo, Italy, Puglia, Southern Italy, Trulli, Trullo, Trullo Pinnacles, Trullo symbols, UNESCO

• Matera – Land of Mystery

  On the coldest day of the year so far this winter, my husband and I decided to venture to the mysterious and luring town of Matera, which is just across the boarder in Basilicata. Our journey started with bright blue skies and a cool breeze that whistled through to your bones. Along the journey we […]

  Valerie Knott

  31/12/2014

  Cities

  Ancient city, Basilicata, Italy, Matera, Sassi, UNESCO, winter, World heritage