Puglia bezoeken met je gezin: onze praktische gids

Less popular than Tuscany and Sicily, although the region is gaining popularity with each season, the heel of the boot is a little paradise for families craving sun and dolce vita. If Puglia is obviously known for its paradisiacal beaches (the white sand of some has given them the nickname of Maldives of Salento), the baroque churches, the astonishing trulli or the museum city of Lecce, there are a billion very good reasons to explore the far south of Italy. You just have to walk around Ostuni or Monopoli at the end of the day, to fully immerse yourself in the Apulian art of living. Whether you decide to watch the sun go down on a beach or over a century-old olive grove in the heart of the countryside, the charm will work anyway. If your children are still very young, we advise you to stay there in June. In a region where temperatures tend to rise sharply in summer, this is a real luxury.

Vanaf half mei zijn de lido’s al open en zul je minder toeristen aantreffen dan rond 15 augustus. In het hele land is Ferragosto de tijd die Italianen kiezen om van hun zomervakantie te genieten. Maar let op, als je indruk wilt maken op je kinderen, de twee zomermaanden vallen ook samen met verschillende religieuze feestdagen overal. Bij deze gelegenheid bieden verschillende steden geweldige verlichtingen. Die van Scorrano (in de provincie Lecce) voor het Festa di Santa Domenica begin juli behoren tot de meest indrukwekkende.

A vast family farm property that has always been found in the south of Italy, particularly in Puglia. The authentic character of these charming buildings has inspired some landowners to transform them into exclusive holiday resorts. Like the Gattarella Family Resort****, one of the hotels in the Little Guest collection.

It’s a haven of peace nestling in the heart of southern Italy, in the picturesque region of Puglia to be precise. Surrounded by unspoilt countryside and natural wonders, this charming resort has retained the authenticity of its past while offering a modern and luxurious lifestyle. It embodies the Puglian way of life, with traditional stone houses, lush outdoor spaces and the warm hospitality of its guests.

Located on the Adriatic coast, just a few kilometres from the historic town of Vieste, the Gattarella Family Resort is the perfect place for a family getaway. Here, time seems to stand still, allowing you to enjoy the simple pleasures of strolling along the water’s edge, savouring loca

While all the hotels in our selection have a private beach, we still recommend that you explore other lidos. Because in Puglia, you can find some very pretty beaches, both trendy and totally kids-friendly. Like Lulla Bay, a relaxation area with bar and restaurant decorated in a nomadic-chic spirit; a place where you dance, between two colored parasols, and where you can eat specialties revisited in a fusion spirit. Young teens will love the inspired atmosphere of the Coachella festival. A magical place which, at sunset, turns into a sort of fun fair, to be enjoyed with your feet in the water. For a seaside lunch with the kids, book a bed (and table) at White Beach, a lido located in Torre Canne, between Ostuni and Monopoli. Children will love the playground, but especially the pretty swings with a view of the sea. Unless they decide to take a nap under the white sails of your beach bed.

. If you are staying in the south of Puglia, don’t forget to book your deckchairs at Lido La Castellana: a beach – betwe

In Puglia, there is nothing that makes children laugh as much as a trullo, this small white house with a conical roof: an architectural rarity only found in this region of Italy. If you are traveling out of season, take the kids to Alberobello, the town of trulli. If it lacks a bit of authenticity (especially the main street), it remains a little paradise for kids. Walk through the Monti district (the most touristic), and, for once, let them enter the souvenir shops. They will love to slip into these funny little houses. Note that the prettiest photo of Alberobello is the one you take from the top of town; the ideal spot for a family selfie. A little hunger along the way? Rather than stopping in an over-crowded place, take a break at La Lira, a foccaceria where you can try the famous Puccia, an Apulian specialty so trendy that it can now be found in some trendy Parisian spots.

Also, don’t miss Grottaglie, a ceramics village located south of Taranto, on a rocky escarpment overlooking the Ionian Sea . Very tr

It’s hard to separate Italy from its cuisine. In Puglia, it is rather simple, because it focuses on local products: those that are harvested with love, then prepared with passion. If you want to introduce your family to the art of « mangiare bene », book a typical Apulian cooking class. In the beautiful city of Lecce and its surroundings, you will find different packages suitable for families. Salento Cooking Adventures, for example, is located in San Cesario di Lecce, in an old palazzo from the 17th century: baroque decor, classical music, the chef’s explanations … and, at the end of your lesson, the satisfaction of having prepared pasta or pizza that really tastes like it should.

For fans of even more unusual experiences, you can book a « cheese challenge » at a farm in the region or set sail for lunch at sea. You don’t need to know how to sail to fill up with iodine. Salento Cooking Adventures has experienced skippers who offer children the opportunity to combine this gourmet adventure with a snorkling ac

As in most parts of Italy, the cuisine of Puglia is divine. Are you staying by the sea? The grilled octopus is an absolute must. If the beast in question will probably frighten your children, this emblematic dish from Puglia will certainly make them want to stick their fork in the plate of the grown-ups. Some lidos (this is the case of Lido Bambu in Monopoli, a beach with incredible charm, to be tested for its restaurant installed under a pretty straw pergola) offer it on the menu. If your flight to Puglia lands in Bari, a stopover in Polignano a Mare, a town perched on top of a cliff, is a must-do. Stop for a moment on the Ponte Lama Monachile. The view of one of the most iconic beaches in Puglia is worth a visit. Right after, treat the children with a giant panino. The best ones are those from Pescaria, an Italian fast food chain specializing in seafood. You will love the decor of the place, but also the menu. Apart from with the panini filled with tuna, octopus or shrimp, the choice of raw fish should reco