Trulli, castles and the country's largest conference hotel
Puglia is particularly an interesting destination for meetings, because it hosts since recently one of the country’s largest conference hotels, which is easily accessible from airports in Bari and Brindisi.
Bari is the chief town of the region, while Brindisi, Foggia, Lecce and Taranto are the capitals of the respective remaining provinces. This region offers a wide range of highly atmospheric castles, military fortresses, and a host of fascinating cathedrals in Romanesque and Baroque style. Puglia also has its own architectural current called Barocco Leccese, characterized by extremely ornate carvings that cover the entire surface of churches and palaces: Its apex is reached in the delightful little city of Lecce, a lovely destination for all who are fond of architectural virtuosity. A gleaming necklace of lively fishing villages outlines Puglia’s coasts, facing some of the cleanest beaches and water in the Mediterranean. Last but not least there is one other worthy attraction that you will see only in this region, and that is Trulli: Whitewashed cone-like constructions made of stones held together without mortar are visible in almost every wheat field and olive grove, and are unique in all the world. A number of trulli are concentrated in the village of Alberobello, nearly forming a city. On a hilltop amid the scent of almonds and olives, the city's historical center was declared an International Human Resource by the Unesco organization.
Along the coast seafood plays a major role in the diet with favorites including mussels, oysters, octopus, red mullet and swordfish. Vegetables include fava beans, artichokes, chicory and various greens including rucola ("rocket"). Eggplants, peppers, lampasciuoli (a bitter type of onion), cauliflower, olives and olive oil are all Pugliese staples. Regional pastas include Orecchiette and Bucatini, both served with tomato sauce or with olive oil, garlic and cauliflower.
Notable among the wines of this region are the crisp whites of Locorotondo and Martina Franca, the reds and rosés of Castel del Monte and the Salento peninsula, such as Salice Salentino, Brindisi, Copertino and Primitivo di Manduria.