Italy: Ostuni

Puglia’s White City is a hilltop town and it’s quite stunning. Long story short: A plague in the 17th century swept through Puglia, so to protect themselves, villagers whitewashed their houses with limestone and water. They believed the reflecting light would kill the bacteria and … Ostuni did not fall victim to the plague. Another story, albeit simpler, is that lime was a common, easy to get building material in the Middle Ages.

We arrived by train from Lecce, not realising the station was 3kms from town. There’s a bus, but we missed it, so we walked uphill, backpacks and all.

Pleased to say this slow and steady tortoise got there in the end to claim her 6 night Ostuni prize.

Our studio apartment Dimora Agata 21 was a minute’s walk if that, to Piazza del Liberta where the ambiance suited us perfectly.

From Ostuni, it was easy to explore Monopoli and Alberobella.

Twenty minutes by train from Ostuni is the very likeable town of Monopoli. Tourist friendly with fabulous outdoor areas, easy walking and a picturesque beach, it would be easy to spend a few days here. We spent just a day here.

Alberobella – home of the Trulli – whitewashed houses with cone roofs built during the 1500s was a most interesting town to visit for the day. Built without mortar (quick to disassemble and thus avoid tax), the trulli are designed with round bases and dome tops.

There are many trullis and while it’s definitely on the tour bus itinerary, (UNESCO heritage status guarantees this), at this time of the year, a leisurely walk up and down the trulli streets was incredibly pleasant.

Arrivederci Italia – had a good time with this good bloke. 

Taking him to Zagreb Croatia tomorrow on a Ryanair flight from Brindisi.