Apulia 
Apulia is a Southern region that forms the heel of the boot of Italy. It is largely rural and has a long coastline. It's far less touristy and not as wealthy as the more Northern areas of Italy.
But first, we headed south to Matera, one of the oldest cities in the world. 
The Sassi (meaning stone) houses are built in caves and carved out of the hillside. Since becoming a world heritage site many have been restored. Some of the caves are now hotels and shops. 
The long, warm dusk evening was one of the most peaceful of our trip. 
We spent three nights in Capitolo, just south of Monopolli, at a family campsite on the Adriatic. We loved the beachside restaurants and bars and enjoyed swimming, especially in the rock pools of an old quarry. 
We did a day trip to Alberobello, a world heritage site of Trulli houses, corbello-style roofed houses built with no mortar. 
With a stop in Locorotondo. Just because we have to do a hilltop town almost every day. 
The coastal drives in Apulia are amazing.
We found a few wonderful beach towns on the Ionian sea.
Picture perfect Otranto with it's medieval walls and turquoise ocean. Next time I'd like to stay here for a week. 
Local hidden gem Torre Mozzo.
Beachside camping in Rivabella outside Gallipoli. 
On Wednesday we headed back up north with an overnight stop in Vasto, a local, working class holiday town where we were kept up late by the campsite karaoke. 
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