This isn't just a Puglia travel guide, it's a better way to travel.
Step off the beaten path and into the heart of Italy's most authentic region. Rather than just checking off monuments, this guide immerses you in local rhythms, sacred traditions, and seasonal festivals that bring Puglia to life. With over 100 events woven into the calendar, you'll always find yourself in the middle of a celebration-no matter when you visit.
Dreaming of Italy? Discover Puglia, Italy's sun-drenched heel, where turquoise seas meet whitewashed villages and Byzantine treasures.
Created by travel expert and festival follower Katerina Ferrara, this is the most comprehensive Puglia guide available, blending expert insight with heartfelt storytelling.
Skip the tourist traps. Experience the real Puglia.
Beyond Bari's busy port and Lecce's baroque beauty, uncover timeless rituals: fishermen hauling in the day's catch, nonnas hand-rolling orecchiette, and candlelit processions illuminating medieval streets.
Explore town by town with curated routes:
- Major cities: Bari, Brindisi, Lecce, Taranto, Trani, Foggia, San Severo
- Coastal escapes: Stunning beaches along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas
- Hilltop gems: Ostuni, Martina Franca, Locorotondo, Cisternino
- Spiritual highlights: Monte Sant'Angelo's UNESCO grotto, Vieste's sea caves
- Hidden towns: Putignano, Fasano, Novoli, Melpignano, and more
What's Inside:
- Walking tours with historical context and local secrets
- Where to eat & what to try: burrata, bombette, pasticciotto, focaccia
- Where to stay: Masserie, boutique hotels, agriturismi, coastal escapes
- How to get around: Train routes, scenic drives, rental tips
Month-by-Month Festivals:
Fòcara di Novoli - Italy's biggest bonfire
Carnevale di Putignano - One of Europe's oldest
La Notte della Taranta - Puglia's iconic pizzica festival
Feast of San Nicola in Bari, Madonna della Madia in Monopoli
Holy Week in Gallipoli and Taranto
Food and wine sagre, Disfida di Barletta, Battle of Otranto reenactments
Includes #FestaFusion Itineraries
Plan unforgettable trips with custom routes designed around Puglia's most captivating festivals. Whether you have three days or three weeks, find the right pace for deep exploration or spontaneous adventure.
Travel your way:
Solo, romantic, or family travel-this guide offers flexible advice and immersive experiences tailored to your style. Katerina's relationships with local artisans, chefs, and festival organizers open doors most travelers never even see.
Perfect for:
First-time visitors seeking connection beyond monuments
Italophiles ready to dive deeper
Food and wine lovers eager to explore regional flavors
This book is your invitation to the real Italy, where every festival tells a story, every meal is a celebration, and every town feels like home.
Ferrara, Katerina: - "Katerina Ferrera is a published author and the founder of Immersion Travel Italy, a company dedicated to creating unforgettable travel experiences in Italy. With over 25 years of exploring Europe, Katerina has developed a deep love for immersing herself in the diverse cultures, traditions, and culinary delights of the places she visits. Fluent in Italian, so she can effortlessly connect with locals and travelers alike, bringing an insider's perspective to her travel writing.Katerina's passion for authentic experiences shines through in her detailed guides and stories, capturing the essence of Italy's vibrant festivals, historic cities, and hidden gems. When she's not exploring new destinations or writing, Katerina enjoys sharing her travel insights and tips with fellow adventurers, inspiring them to delve deeper into the cultural richness of the places they visit.Katerina Ferrera transforms Italian travel into art through her work as a published author and founder of Immersion Travel Italy. Drawing from over 25 years of European exploration, she has mastered the delicate balance of crafting luxury experiences while preserving authentic cultural connections. Her fluency in Italian opens doors to hidden treasures and local stories that most travelers never discover, making her both a cultural bridge and trusted guide.As the architect behind countless memorable journeys, Katerina weaves together centuries-old traditions with contemporary luxury, creating travel experiences that resonate long after the journey ends. Her writing captures not just the grand gestures of Italy's famous festivals and baroque cities, but also the intimate moments - a grandmother's secret pasta recipe, a craftsman's weathered hands shaping olive wood, or the evening ritual of passeggiata in a medieval piazza. Whether she's researching her next guide or leading travelers through sun-drenched Puglian villages, Katerina's mission remains constant: to create Festival Followers, those who include the incredible festivals of Italy into their travels."
