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Regions Italy : Apulia - Puglia - Hotels Apulia - Puglia Puglia, or Apulia as it is called in English, is Italy's boot heel, its southeastern most region. Gateway to and from the East, it has been conquered by legions of foreign rulers, most of whom were careful to live elsewhere. The notable exception was Frederick II (1194-1250), the last Emperor of the Hohenstaufen line. An enlightened man, he built many castles which still grace the region, along with acres and acres of vineyards and olive groves. Apulia produces one-tenth of the wine drunk in Europe; its olive oil is renowned. Traditionally both of these commodities were mainly used to dilute their finer counterparts up north, but lately the local food artisans have begun creating some first-rate oils and vintages that are available throughout the region. They perfectly complement the super-fresh seafood and vegetables that are the staples of la tavola pugliese.If you have already toured the northern part of Italy and are looking for something equally fascinating, completely different and much less crowded, this is a wonderful area to consider. It offers at least one excellent archeological museum, a host of cathedrals dating back to the 10th century, several deserted - and thus highly atmospheric - Greek and Roman ruins, a gleaming necklace of lively fishing villages, one of Europe's largest forests, a chain of medieval hilltowns, and some of the very cleanest beaches and water in the Mediterranean. It also has its own subspecies of architecture, called barocco leccese. Characterized by extremely ornate carvings that cover the entire surface of churches and palazzi, its apex is reached in the delightful little city of Lecce. There is one other attraction that you will see only in Apulia, and that is i trulli. Whitewashed cones made of stones held together without mortar, they are visible in almost every wheat field and olive grove, where they serve as miniature barns. But they are at their most picturesque when clustered together in the hundreds, to form a town. This is Alberobello, and it's a wonderful site you will never forget.  BariThe Old Town, flanked on three sides by the Adriatic, has at its centre, on Piazza San Nicola, the Basilica of St Nicholas – the first and greatest of the many Norman churches in Puglia, the masterpiece of Apulian Romanesque. It was founded in 1087 to house the remains of the saint – who is still interred there – stolen from Lycia by Barese sailors. Still in the Old Town, pay a visit to the imposing Castello Svevo (080 528 6111, closed Mon), the massive Swabian castle built by the all-conquering crusader Frederic II. This quadrangular structure hosted the courts of two medieval queens – Isabella of Aragona and Bona Sforza, Queen of Poland. The union of Church and State is expressed in the close proximity of the 12th-century Romanesque Cathedral, concealed in the Old Town’s labyrinth of lanes, courtyards and arches. Hotels Bari - Last Minute Hotels Bari  LecceLecce is a historic city of 95,200 inhabitants in southern Italy, the capital of the province of Lecce, the second province in the region by population, as well as one of the most important cities of Puglia. Hotels Lecce - Last Minute Hotels Lecce  BrindisiBrindisi is a city in the Apulia region of Italy, the capital of the province of Brindisi, off the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Historically, the city has played an important role in commerce and culture, due to its position on the Italian peninsula and its natural port on the Adriatic Sea. Hotels Brindisi - Last Minute Hotels Brindisi Foggia Hotels Foggia Eating & Drinking Apulia / PugliaDue Camini - Borgo Egnazia Hotel, Lungomare Nazario Sauro - Contrada Masciola, 72010 SavelletriDue Camini à la carte Restaurant, based on a refined and sophisticated taste. Our most demanding guests are pampered and pleased with delicious dishes; Activities Apulia / Puglia San Domenico Golf  A Mediterannean links rated amongst the best in Italy, San Domenico Golf, is an 18 hole championship course bordering the crystal azzures of the Adriatic Sea. Home to the PGA European Challenge Tour Grand Final, the course is spread over 6300 metres of lush land featuring undulating bermuda grass with sea views from every vantage point. The San Domenico Links Course is designed by European Golf Design who have created many famous courses such as Celtic Manor, Portmarnack in Ireland, and PGA Catalunya. Hotels near San Domenico Golf News Apulia / PugliaBorgo Egnazia HotelFeaturing traditional architecture from Puglia and a panoramic setting in the Mediterranean vegetation, Borgo Egnazia Hotel offers 4 swimming pools and a 1,800 m² wellness centre. It overlooks San Domenico Golf Club. The luxurious rooms are decorated with soothing shades of white. They all have a private balcony facing the hills, the sea or the ... This week in Asian & European Golf - October 31 to November 6, 2011 European Tour & Asian Tour WGC - HSBC Champions Sheshan International GC Shanghai, China 03 Nov 2011 - 06 Nov 2011 Hotels near Sheshan International GC Martin Kaymer produced a sensational back nine 29 to cut through the field and win the World Golf Championships - HSBC Champions in Shanghai. European Challenge Tour Apulia San Domenico Grand ... More Italy News |