We were asked about the music that we use in our opening and closing podcast credits. It is pizzica music, old folk music from Salento, the southern part of Puglia. Like other tarantelle, legend says that pizzica was a cure for women bitten in the olive groves by the spider, explaining its hypnotic energy. In this episode, accompanied by the pizzica music played by our friends, we explore the sound, the stories and the dance moves of pizzica.

For more information on Puglia's pizzica festivals, events and how to take part, check our Puglia Guys Pizzica Guide to Pizzica in Puglia. 

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your visit to Puglia.

In this episode we feature our own recording of the pizzica di San Vito, a traditional musical piece, featuring our friends who perform as musicians and singers. Full credits and our video of the recording can be found on our Puglia Guys You Tube channel.  

We are back in Puglia's Valle d'Itria, visiting Martina Franca. Known for its great food and baroque architecture, we walk around the town, discovering its history and taking time to explore the Palazzo Ducale and the Basilica di San Martino. With restaurant recommendations along the way and insider tips, enjoy one of the Valle d'Itria's favourite destinations.

Check out our Puglia Guys Martina Franca guide on the PugliaGuys.com website for fuller information and details on the locations vitisited, some more recommendations, and a more detailed guide to Martina's main churches.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Gallipoli has become a hotspot for travellers seeking both history and hedonism. The summer season sees a seismic shift as Gallipoli becomes synonymous with revelry and celebrations extending well beyond the old and new towns. Nearby beaches – especially those in and around Baia Verde – echo with the rhythms of music festivals, vibrant parties, and a diverse crowd. 

Our insider tips on when best to visit the old town, where by day fishermen still meet to drink, chat and mend their nets. We recommend some fine seafood restaurants and tell you where we enjoy the best sunset in Salento.

Details of the locations on our walking tour of Gallipoli can be found in our companion Puglia Guys Gallipoli city guide.

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We walk you around Otranto, its city beaches and visit geologically stunning and popular nearby beaches along the coast, including the Grotta della Poesia, the Baia dei Turchi, the faraglioni of Sant'Andrea and Torre dell'Orso.

Otranto is packed with history. From the famous mosaic floor of its cathedral, the castle of Otranto that inspired the first Gothic novel, and the tragedy of the 1480 massacre of 800 martyrs, whose bones are still on display.

Plus those city beaches and where to eat the best seafood in Otranto!

Details of the locations of the spots visited, the recommended restaurants and parking for the nearby beaches can be found in our companion Puglia Guys Otranto guide.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Puglia is considered to be Italy's 2nd most visited foodie destination. With Andrea in his home city Bari, Puglia's regional capital, we eat out in the old town. Bari Vecchia is one of Puglia's culinary hubs. We talk about the typical must-eat traditional dishes of Bari, along with our favourite restaurants where we go to eat them. 

For detailed information on our favourite Bari restaurants and more recommendations visit the Puglia Guys Eat Bari Guide.

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We visit Ostuni, Puglia's città bianca - the White City. Because we live in Puglia all year round we keep our finger on the pulse. Insider tips and hacks (parking in Ostuni? We have it covered), plus our recommendations on where to eat = where we eat. Eat like a local. Avoid the tourist traps, recommended by one tourist to another, where no locals would go - because the food is just average, and overpriced. We eat better, for less.

We explain why Ostuni makes the perfect base for your Puglia vacation, help you plan the perfect Puglia itinerary from a base in Ostuni, and list the Valle d'Itria's best beaches (and tell you where to park).

All that plus a hack on saving money on booking accommodation in Ostuni. For links, addresses and detailed information on the places mentioned in this episode, check out our Puglia Guys Ostuni City Guide.

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We don't all travel equally. Some travel solo, in couples or groups, with families, and with different expectations and aspirations. That's why we don't think there's a "one size fits all" itinerary for visitors. We take a different approach. Instead of suggesting actual itineraries we break down Puglia into bite size pieces so you can mix and match destinations to plan an itinerary that suits your travel style and circumstances. Whether you're here for a quick getaway or a slow immersive experience.

For further information on the destinations with links, check-out our Puglia Guys Guide to Planning the Perfect Puglia Itinerary.

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Spaghetti all'assassina is the iconic pasta dish of Bari, Puglia's regional capital. It's unlike any other pasta dish you might have tried. On his visit to Bari for the TV show Searching for Italy, actor and food writer Stanley Tucci was blown away. 

"This goes against everything I know about pasta... Honestly, I’ve never seen anything like that before… And I’ve been around, too!”

We discover the origins of spaghetti assassina, aka spaghetti bruciati (burnt spaghetti), why there are three official academies to protect its heritage, where to eat the best spaghetti assassina in Bari and how to cook it at home. We include the official accademia assassina recipe plus our own adapted Puglia Guys spaghetti assassina recipe.

For more spaghetti assassina resources (including these plus more recipes) visit the Puglia Guys Spaghetti Assassina page. 

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories and reels (including our assassina cooking), photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Our insider travel guide to Lecce, Puglia. What to see and do, and our guide to traditional food, as well as our favourite places to eat. From a pasticciotto and caffe leccese for breakfast, to lunch, aperitivi and dinner.

We live in Puglia all year round and provide practical tips on getting around, cultural insights and unique local experiences – from pizzica dancing to wine tastings, cooking classes to road trips. 

Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Fuller details and links referenced in this episode can be found on the Puglia Guys Lecce guide.

Welcome to the rebooted Puglia Podcast by the Puglia Guys, Puglia ambassadors. 

Puglia offers endless choices: where to go, when to visit, how to get here, and what to do. Our goal isn’t to dictate your journey, after all, only you know what you want from your vacation in the heel of Italy's boot. Instead we give you the information to make informed choices based on your travel preferences and circumstances.   Do you want to soak up the sun or a lively atmosphere, maybe both? Are you looking to experience the slow rhythm of a southern Italian summer in a small Salento town? Some mindful quiet solitude and off the beaten track wilderness? Or do you want to hop from destination to destination, packing your cases and changing accommodation every day or two, to fit-in as much as possible?   In the rebooted Ep1 we give a brief overview of Puglia as Italy's favourite staycation holiday hotspot. We weigh up the pros and cons of some of Puglia’s better known destinations and some more general considerations to factor in.

For links referred to in the episode and more resources, check out our Puglia Guys Guide to Finding the Best Base for your Vacation in Puglia.

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