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One of my favorite things about my job is discovering unique traditions in Italy that I’ve never heard of. One I find particularly interesti

Ever heard of an espressino? Didn’t think so. Puglia has a coffee culture all its own and it’s worth learning about- then experiencing yourself. It’s no secret that coffee and Italy go together- like really, really well. From a foamy cappuccino in the morning to a double shot of espresso (caffe doppio) in the afternoon, caffeine seems to be pulsing through the veins of this expressive and lively society. What you might not realize is that caffeine flows in a variety of more c

by Frances Reid I’m willing to bet that any mention of Italy immediately conjures images of Tuscany’s rolling green hills, dotted with wineries. Am I right? If you stop there though, you’re missing out on one of southern Italy’s best-kept secrets: Puglia Yes, it takes a bit more effort to get there (Puglia is tucked into Italy’s boot heel), but where’s the fun in taking the path others have traveled? No. You, my friend, need an authentic encounter with another of Italy’s daug

Gelato that makes me lust for another scoop before I’ve finished the first- that’s basically what I’m searching for at all times when in Italy. So when I met my new friend Antonella, a local in a seaside village called Peschici in the “spur” of Italy’s boot, I asked her where I could find the best gelateria. She had already tipped me off to the best hidden restaurant, best hidden beach, and a contact who leads nature excursions on horseback. She responded to my probe about ge

On the coast of Gargano, the “spur” of Italy’s boot, there’s a well-known restaurant built on a wooden pier jutting out into the sea. It’s actually an ancient fishing machine called a trabucco, and visitors flock there to sit at rustic wooden tables with a glass of prosecco in hand as the sun goes down. Naturally, I loved the idea of combining food, local tradition, and nature, so I had to check it out for myself. It was…okay. The food was too fancy for its own good and the p

As a nature lover and artist, one thing I love about travel is experiencing different types of landscapes. I notice how the straight pine trees of the southern US become wild and craggy in southern Europe. I notice how the color palette of a place gets dustier, more saturated, or expands into a range of colorful minerals new to my painting vocabulary. And I notice the way tall mountains energize the “adventuress” in me, while flatlands gently sloping into the sea make me want

Ahhh, the flavors of Puglia! My mouth literally waters just thinking about it. From plates of fresh grilled seafood to hand-rolled pasta and piles of hearty vegetables, food in Puglia is an experience. In fact, it’s an experience all Italians crave, too. When I ask my local friends where they go to eat really, really well, throughout Italy the answer is “Puglia!”. While there’s plenty of food in Puglia that you should try (really, options are endless!), there is one dish in p

There are so many unique activities and experiences to be had in southern Italy! If you’re stuck on Tuscany, I don’t blame you… but I have t

You know those moments when you experience something just incredible and you know you’ll always remember it? Visiting the sea caves of Polignano a Mare in the “heel” of Italy’s boot was one of those moments for me. I can still feel the sense of world-expanding freedom as the speed of our private boat sends a rush of warm air over my wide-open arms from the very front of the bow. Salty droplets splash up and cool my sun-browned skin. The view approaching the cliff-clung city o

The history of Puglia is multilayered and complex. The region has been tossed about from one invader to the next, from about 270 BC until the unification of Italy in the late 1800s. Most articles you find on the topic are frankly boring to read and heavy with names of random invaders you’ve never heard of, making it difficult to grasp the overall concept of where Puglia’s been and how it relates to the culture you’ll experience there today. Below, I attempt to break things do

Where do Italians go for great food? Straight to Puglia, where the cucina povera tradition celebrates the profound flavors of fresh, local produce. What’s amazing about the food in Puglia is that it boasts great flavor with minimal ingredients- only about 3-5 per dish. On your way to a restaurant, you might pass fields of artichokes, fava beans, and of course, olives- all of which you’ll find featured on your plate in a variety of creative and tasty ways. However, Puglia is s

In Italy, every holiday comes with a hundred variations of ways to celebrate, traditional foods to eat, and stories of how it all came about. Easter is no different, and in the southern region of Apulia, la scarcella is not to be forgotten! La scarcella is a simple cookie or cake formed into various shapes like an easter basket, bird, or bunny. The twist? They put a boiled egg on the cookie itself. Yeah, I know, hard to picture… Luckily, one of our Pugliese friends took some

As much as I’d love to keep this on the DL, the artists represented in this artsy, handmade shop in Puglia are too fabulous to keep hidden away. When I stumbled upon this cute shop in Puglia, Italy, it felt like finding a hidden treasure trove all for myself. For a second there, I couldn’t decide whether to share it with the world or keep it my own little secret! In honor of International Women’s Day though, I’ve decided to let the spotlight shine on the talented women that m

Finding your dream job is not an easy feat. Sometimes it’s less about finding it and more about taking the necessary steps to create it yourself. It also requires going through difficult experiences to find out what works for you and what doesn’t. Through trusting this process, following my gut, and dreaming big, I went from the New York Minute to the Italian Siesta and found a life I love. Not that long ago while living in New York City, I was waking up in a cold sweat every