I will now repeat something that I've already written at least twice on this blog. I love Puglia. There are many positive things about this region of Italy, the heel of the boot, probably too many to count. But here are some. The food - see capers and tomatoes above - is fabulous.
Plus, there are really good mussels.
And figs, and watermelon.
There are meddlesome but endearing relatives who like to know what you're up to. The vacation wouldn't be complete without them.
I stayed for 5 days with my friend Francesca, ex-roommate and frequent celebrity on this blog. Her family's beach house has its own claim to fame: it used to be the beach house of one of Italy's most important musical stars, Lucio Battisti. This year Francesca's father was invited to a gala honoring Battisti. Unfortunately the sponsors thought that Dr Ruberti actually knew Battisti, but he actually bought the house 15 years after the musician's death and never met him. So this plaque, which reads "for the precious testimony of many years spent with Lucio Battisti at Porto Cesareo", is extremely mistaken! It was too late; Francesca's dad accepted it politely and then escaped from the party.
Anyway, the house is beautiful and spacious and right on the water; I'm lucky to have visited two years in a row!
All this being said, I think that the most beautiful characteristic of Puglia is the sea.
I want to go back, now!
