Trullo Tramonto was our introduction to Puglia. Both the property, and the enthusiastic notes in the visitors' book, were evidence of the owners' delight in their holiday home and their determination to ensure that visitors had all they needed for a perfect stay. We did not even have to venture out to shop on the first day as the selection of local produce awaiting us at the trullo had all we needed, and treats as well! The local people who maintain the property and its surroundings were open, friendly, very helpful, tolerant of our pidgin Italian - and very suntanned!
On our first morning we drove to Ostuni market and had a memorable shopping adventure with stallholders keen for us to taste their produce, adding free olives, an extra couple of eggs, an extra scoop of beans .... this generosity was repeated throughout our stay, cafes and restaurants offering complimentary bubbly, olives, sorbets, foccacia, biscotti... They all make you feel so special and so very welcome. We could not get over the prices. 80 cent espressos - unbelievable!
When we were at the trullo the olive grove had a carpet of poppies, the lavender was in flower and the cherries were ready to pick ... which we did every day. We enjoyed familiarising ourselves with the white hill towns on the horizon and took countless photographs of the sunsets. The little pool - freshly cleaned on our arrival - was wonderful for cooling off on hot days.... just float on your back and enjoy the scent of rosemary, the blue sky and the birdsong.
We did lots of excursions - and if you can manage it, it's worth getting up at dawn to reach the tourist hot spots like Alberobello and the Matera caves before everyone else does. We recommend the walk between the twin hill villages of Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa (we didn't try the zip wire crossing!)
There is a down side .... driving in the town centres was a bit of a challenge. And we didn't want to leave.