Southern Italy in 8 Days – A Road Trip Odyssey

The journey begins in Bari, where you’ll collect your vehicle and feel the Adriatic sun welcoming you to Southern Italy. The first day is designed to ease you into the rhythm of the road while packing in Puglia’s greatest hits.

A short drive brings you to Monopoli – a charming fishing port where the old town’s white alleys lead to sudden glimpses of turquoise sea. Park near the harbor and enjoy your first Italian espresso while watching the morning catch come ashore.

From the coast, you’ll head inland to Alberobello. The iconic trulli houses – ancient dry-stone dwellings with conical roofs – create a fairytale landscape that’s uniquely Puglian. While touristy, this UNESCO World Heritage site is unmissable for first-time visitors.

Continuing through the Valle d’Itria, the white hilltop city of Ostuni appears like a vision. Known as the White City, its gleaming historic center rewards those who park below and wander up through the maze of narrow streets.

A brief stop in Brindisi allows you to see the Roman column marking the end of the Appian Way before your final push to Lecce, the Florence of the South. Evening finds you in this baroque masterpiece, where honey-colored stone buildings glow in the sunset. Your accommodation – a converted 16th-century palazzo in the historic center – sets the tone for the nights ahead. Dinner features orecchiette with broccoli rabe and a glass of Primitivo, the perfect end to a perfect first day.