It doesn't have to be a major Italian city to be pretty. Smaller towns like Giovinazzo offer the same charms, without the crowds. Courtesy of Han Sang-hee By Han Sang-hee Italian travel destinations used to be obvious — Tuscany for wine, Sicily for food and pizza and numerous northern cities for history and culture.
But what about Apulia, the heel of the Italian Peninsula, where the sun is strong, olive trees are abundant and the beaches are the clearest in the entire country? Even for Italians, Apulia is always on the to-do list, but it’s known more as a port for cruise ships and ferries to Greece rather than a destination in its own right. But this relatively unknown region is on the radar of travelers seeking something fresh, authentic and less crowded. The time to visit might be right now — before everyone else catches on.
Apulia offers the authentic Italian experience: less pizza towels, more fruit markets. Courtesy of Han Sang-hee Why is it trending? Historically, Apulia has made its name for its agricultural products such as olive oil and almonds and production of raw materials and components, including automotive parts and steel. Tourism was there, but with the lack of infrastructure and immigrants and a good word of mouth — in other words, marketing — it was not enough to attracts visitors near and far.
The rise of social media and the ongoing thirst for new and authentic spots, however, have put Apulia on the map, even over the expensive and overly crowded.