ALBEROBELLO

The Valle d'Itria is the landscape that defines this part of Puglia: a gentle plateau of limestone and red soil, covered in olive and almond trees, with the characteristic white villages of Locorotondo, Cisternino and Martina Franca punctuating the horizon. The trulli — built without mortar, in a construction technique so unusual that they warranted UNESCO protection — are scattered across the countryside in a way that never quite loses its power to surprise, however many times you see them.

The outdoor life here is built around the land rather than the sea — though both Adriatic and Ionian coastlines are within 40 minutes. Cycling between masserie on country roads with almost no traffic, long walks through olive groves that are centuries old, horse riding through the valley. The pace is measured, the light in late afternoon is extraordinary, and the food — orecchiette, burrata, fresh ricotta, local wine — is produced nearby and takes very little effort to eat well.

Bari Airport is about an hour away, Brindisi about 45 minutes. The expat community in the area — particularly British, Dutch and American — is well established and active. Property here still represents remarkable value: a trullo requiring renovation can be found from €60–80k; a restored property with land from €150k upward.