Slow Living In The Enchanting Region of Puglia

Sep 28

Sep 28 Slow Living In The Enchanting Region of Puglia

By Anthony Gadaleta

The enchanting olive trees you will find along the way in Puglia!

Puglia. My beloved home away from home. The land of my ancestors. The place where it all began. Every time I return to Italy, I have a deeper appreciation for my family’s cultural roots as an Italian-American. Experiencing a slower pace of life, sitting together at the table with the family over a delicious meal for pranzo (lunch) or cena (dinner), and just taking in the historic splendor of it all.

I absolutely loved spending my time in campagna (the countryside) just outside of Molfetta. The peace and tranquility of just being in nature. Hearing nothing but the sounds of birds chirping, a light breeze, and taking in the views of the surrounding olive trees and olive groves. It was pure bliss.

The simple pleasures of everyday life in Puglia are something I will always remember and always look forward to time and time again.

And let’s not forget about the most incredible food in the world! Starting with my favorite, focaccia. Similar to pizza but a completely different ball game when it comes to taste, texture, and ingredients. Focaccia is some of the cuisine that you will typically find while in Puglia and the one that is pictured above is made entirely from scratch using locally sourced ingredients. There are also different varieties other than tomato and olives. A must try and something you will certainly catch the aroma of too while walking past local restaurants and bakeries.

During my time in campagna, my family would make focaccia for cena . We would then share lovely conversations about the day over a delicious meal all together. I loved seeing how it was made from the first to last stage and the final product ready to serve and enjoy.

Catching the most beautiful sunset in campagna!

The moment the sun goes down over the horizon in campagna is a moment of pure joy for me! The light reflecting over the olive trees to the explosion of colors in the sky is something I will always remember and look back on. Something every traveler should experience on their visit to Puglia.