Reading for the Road: Books About Puglia

At&nbsp;The Slow Road&nbsp;we answer to many names (wanderers,&nbsp;bon vivants, students of life) but first and foremost, we’re a group of dedicated travellers.That’s why we love compiling&nbsp;reading lists&nbsp;that include the books — from novels to memoirs, and everything in between — that have really opened up our favourite regions.In this post, we’ll round up a few of our favourite books about Puglia.<h2>Must-Read Books About Puglia</h2><h3><a href="http://amzn.to/2D9Xyys">The Italians</a></h3>By Luigi BarziniThe definitive portrait of the Italian people, this is a classic, scholarly essay on the Italian character. Though first published in 1964, it’s still worth reading for its insight, grace and wit.&nbsp;<h3><a href="http://amzn.to/2oStYcu">A Traveller’s History of Italy</a></h3>By Valerio LintnerA brief history of Italy through the 1990s — wide-ranging, accessible and necessarily condensed. With a useful chronology and historical gazetteer, this book marches confidently through the centuries.&nbsp;<h3><a href="http://amzn.to/2Daae8r">Casa Rossa</a></h3>By Francesca MarcianoA vivid novel following the lives of a mother, daughter, and granddaughter from Puglia over the course of the 20th century, opening as the narrator prepares to sell Casa Rossa, the family farm.&nbsp;<h3><a href="http://amzn.to/2txojh1">Christ Stopped at Eboli: The Story of a Year</a></h3>By Carlo Levi &amp; Frances FrenayeAn affecting memoir of southern Italy, originally published in 1947, this book stems from the author’s forced relocation to the region as punishment for anti-fascist political activity.&nbsp;<h3><a href="http://amzn.to/2D7f8Dm">La Bella Figura, A Field Guide to the Italian Mind</a></h3>By Beppe SevergniniItalians themselves love this guide to the Italian character, which addresses their never-ending passion for beauty, disorder and high emotion. Severgnini opens the book with a snapshot of the hubbub at Malpensa Airport, then moves on to Tuscany, Rome, Naples and Sardinia.&nbsp;Once you've read up on the land, it's time to experience it for yourself. Discover all the ways to see <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/places-to-go/europe/italy/puglia">Puglia</a> with Butterfield &amp; Robinson.

Discover the best books about Puglia—from novels and memoirs to cultural histories that bring southern Italy’s landscapes, people, and traditions to life.

Best Books About Puglia | Reading List for Southern Italy

Discover Puglia

Puglia’s location may be down at the heel, but there’s nothing remotely shabby about the stunning, sun-drenched coastline routes or the whitewashed villages and charming locals. Think Italy, with Greek parents, exquisite organic cuisine and some of the finest, most serene biking we’ve found anywhere.

From olive groves to white-washed villages, explore authentic Italy

Cycle trulli valleys and Adriatic coastlines, walk Salento on small group or private bespoke trips through Puglia, with masseria stays and local meals.

Puglia Bike & Walking Tours | Butterfield & Robinson

Between the sun, the shore and the food, Puglia has a way of making everything more sumptuous. Mozarella’s more delicious when sampled at a cheese-making demo. Cycling’s more serene along the Adriatic. And a post-ride aperitivo&nbsp;is even more refreshing when sipped in our friend’s garden.

Incredible Rides

Vibrant Culture

Local Connections

Between the sun, the shore and the food, Puglia has a way of making everything more sumptuous. Mozarella’s more delicious when sampled at a cheese-making demo led by our friends Domenica and Giuseppe. Cycling’s more serene along the Adriatic. A post-ride lunch is even more delicious when enjoyed in our friend’s masseria. And the sound of live music is more enchanting when paired with an exclusive dinner in a fortified castle. After just a few days here, you’ll quickly see why Puglia has our heart.

Adventure awaits on the Adriatic

The heel of Italy's boot

The itinerary below is a sample and is subject to slight changes in routes, accommodations and activities. Please download the itinerary for your selected departure for precise details.

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Experience Designer

Between the sun, the shore and the food, Puglia has a way of making everything more sumptuous. Mozarella’s more delicious when sampled at a cheese-making demo. Cycling’s more serene along the Adriatic. And a post-ride aperitivo&nbsp;is even more refreshing when sipped in our friend’s garden.

Spend 5 nights biking Puglia in a small group luxury tour. Ancient olive groves, iconic trulli villages and a food culture that rewards every extra kilometre.

Puglia Bike Tour: Ancient Olive Groves, Trulli Architecture & Masserias

Discover the true magic of old Italy, surrounded by olive groves and our charming local friends. We make every step count with routes featuring sublime coastal roads, cobbled paths that weave through whitewashed towns and distinctive stone trulli. End your journey with two nights in UNESCO-listed Matera, with its ancient cave dwellings inhabited for thousands of years.

The magic of old Italy

Bask in olive groves and gorgeous whitewashed villages as you stroll along the aquamarine Adriatic in one of Italy’s most blissfully low-traffic corners (we’re the only walkers here!). Back at hotel Sant’Angelo – a B&amp;R exclusive in UNESCO Matera – feast on the freshest seafood you’ve ever had while you quaff luscious local Primitivo.

Tell the kids you’re are going to Puglia and they’ll ask “where-ya?” Tell them you’re going to snorkel in the sparkling Adriatic, make pasta by hand, and zipline over olive groves and they’ll ask a different question: “when-ya!?”Note:&nbsp;The activities on our Puglia&nbsp;Family Adventure trip are recommended for children age 8 years and older.

Reconnect with the family on a rejuvenating, sprightly and (dare we say) educational adventure along the Adriatic sea.

Pedal past whitewashed villages on quiet routes through the rolling countryside blanketed in olive trees and along the aquamarine Adriatic Coast.

Natural Beauty

Time Travel

Puglia is sun-soaked, salt-kissed and straight-up irresistible. Ride through olive groves, past whitewashed towns and cone-roofed trulli, then feast on seafood and sip wine under the stars. Pair it with neighbouring Matera in Basilicata, with its ancient stone beauty, and you’ve got Italy at its most soulful. History, flavour and southern charm—served with extra olive oil, of course.

Experience old-world Italy in the heel of the boot

In Puglia, the spirit of old-world Italy comes to life

Bespoke travel lets you to take our inspirational cues and craft them into your personalized, private adventure. Collaborate one-on-one with an Experience Designer to put together your tailor-made trip.

Bike Baroque Lecce, hike ancient Matera and eat at trulli restaurants most visitors miss. Southern Italy's finest, tailor-made and privately guided for you.

Puglia Private Tours: Baroque Lecce, Ancient Matera & Trulli Restaurants

Vineyards, grottos, and whitewashed villages set against the Adriatic: myriad landscapes await you in Puglia, the historic hunting grounds of marauding royalty and occupying forces (who clearly come for the nosh). Foodies, get ready to swoon for fresh, local ingredients and rich wines in Puglia and Basilicata, the gardens of Italy.

Authentic Food

Ride through southern Italy where ancient history meets Adriatic eye candy. Spin past olive groves, stone Trulli, and sun-bleached villages that look plucked from a dream (or a very trippy postcard). Explore fortified farms, feast like a local, and cruise serene coastal roads. Matera to Puglia delivers the rarest form of la dolce vita—one that's blissfully free of crowds.

See Puglia at your pace

Experience designer

$5,395 based on two travellers. $4,995 based on four travellers. $4,595 based on six travellers.

Cycle Puglia's Adriatic coast on a tailor-made itinerary. Cave-dwelling Matera, whitewashed Ostuni and masseria estate dinners most visitors never find.