In addition to our “recommended hotels”, where we’ll be providing transportation to/from the event, the below are additional recommendations to consider that have either been shared with us by friends or we’ve found online.
Please note that, we will not be providing transportation from these hotels.
● Villa Itria (28 mins from venue)
● Masseria San Francesco (5 mins from venue)
● Masseria Stefano Del Conte (9 mins from venue)
● La Peschiera (8 mins from venue)
● Masseria Limonaia (4 mins from venue)
● Masseria Sotto Masi (4 mins from venue)
● Masseria Moroseta (29 mins from venue)
● Masseria Pelosella (6 mins from venue)
● I Pozzetti Agriturismo (1 min from venue)
Puglia Essentials
~brought to you by the Bride & Groom ~
Make the most of your adventures in Puglia! Here’s a combination of some of our favorite spots along with recommendations from Google Gemini (ie. our favorite AI friend).
Access our Google Map HERE with some of our actual favorite spots!
Enjoy this playlistt crafted by your host Ben. Give it a spin while sipping a glass of Verdeca, cruising along the coast, or getting ready for the big event.
Exploring Puglia:
Hilltop villages, rocky beaches, and leisurely dining define the way of life in Puglia. It’s where simple pleasures take center stage and time seems to slow down. And we invite you to experience it yourself!
TO DO
places to visit and things to do before / after / in between the celebrations
Ostuni:
26 min / 26 kn from Fasano
A beautiful hill town with white structures throughout, charming narrow streets, a Gothic-style cathedral, and stunning views from behind the old town walls
Alberobello:
23 min / 17 km from Fasano
A unique village where you’ll find the captivating Trulli Houses - iconic stone huts with conical roofs - a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Polignano a Mare:
20 min / 23 km from Fasano
Perched upon limestone cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea, Polignano a Mare is famed for its astounding views, crystal-clear waters, and mesmerizing caves.
Lecce:
1h 17m / 115 km from Fasano
Wander through the "Florence of the South," Lecce, and admire its Baroque architecture, including the Basilica di Santa Croce and the Duomo.
Castel del Monte:
1hr 25m / 117 km from Fasano
Uncover the mystery of Castel del Monte, a 13th-century octagonal castle with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Matera:
1hr 25m / 97 km from Fasano
Step back in time in Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient cave dwellings, the "Sassi."
Otranto:
1hr 33m / 146 km from Fasano
We love it here! Such beautiful beaches, cute town, awesome views :)
Golf:
A few minute drive from the hotel is San Domenico Golf Course. Advance booking is necessary; rentals available.
Wine & Food:
Two favorite spots for a tour! I Pastini & Terre di San Vito!
PLACES TO VISIT BEFORE OR AFTER THE CELEBRATIONS
Below are some suggestions for in / around the Puglia region. Our concierge team may also be able to make personalized recommendations.
We’d also encourage you to connect with Darren Humphreys at Travel Sommelier darren@travelsommelier.com for those of you who are interested in adding travel experiences before and after our wedding celebration. He designs custom itineraries globally and has an intimate knowledge of Italy and surrounding countries as well as neighboring countries further afield in Europe. He is our personal travel advisor and someone who has been responsible for quite a few of our adventures; you’re in very capable hands! https://www.travelsommelier.com/
Back to Puglia … Puglia is perfect road-trip territory!
Go further South to Salento - known for its beautiful beaches and stunning baroque architecture, this is an amazing choice! One of our favorite areas is around Otranto, where there are several stunning beach and cliff areas, amazing seafood restaurants and further unique regional pasta shapes to explore!
Take home local pottery from Grottaglie - Explore the rich tradition of ceramics in Grottaglie, where narrow streets are lined with workshops and studios crafting intricate pottery for centuries. AMAZING pieces for your home or kitchen at a steal compared to US prices
See the Orecchiette Ladies of Bari - Wander through Bari’s old town and you will almost certainly stumbleupon cobbled alleys lined with ladies sitting on their doorsteps, gossiping away with their neighbors while furiously rolling out fresh pasta.
Tremiti Islands: (4h 10m / 316 km from Fasano) - Take a boat trip to the Tremiti Islands, a small archipelago with secluded coves, turquoise waters, and excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities.
Puglia is home to some of the finest food in the country
Fish & seafood - Puglia’s double coastline means it’s unsurprisingly renowned for its fresh fish. Sea bass, red mullet and anchovies are all popular catches, while mussels, red prawns, octopus and sea urchins can be enjoyed as local delicacies.
Local wine - Try the robust red wine Primitivo, produced in the Manduria region as well as an amazing local Chardonnay
Burrata - Indulge in creamy burrata cheese, originating in Puglia; a local specialty made from mozzarella and cream.
Orecchiette Savor Puglia's signature pasta dish, orecchiette ("little ears"), often served with broccoli rabe or tomato sauce.
Olives and olive oil - obviously
Taralli - Fiendishly moreish circular breadsticks, often studded with peppercorns, onion or fennel. We’ve even found sweet ones that are insane - try the limoncello first!
Tiella Barese - A staple dish of the cucina povera that never fails to disappoint: a simple paella-style dish of rice, potatoes and fresh mussels.
Caffe Leccese - a shot of espresso served over ice and sweetened with almond milk. Unbelievably refreshing and a symbol of the city of Lecce
Caffe Speciale - only found in Polignano a Mare at “Il Super Mago del Gelo Mario Campanella”: Coffee, sugar, lemon zest, cream and amaretto
Nodini - Little balls of mozzarella tied into neat knot shapes are another typical cheese from the region