A friend told us that “Italy is not a place, it is a feeling, and it feels good.”

Read more: Italy is a Feeling

After spending the week with our boys in the Apulian region of Italy, I wholeheartedly agree. Italy is a feeling of warmth and plenty, a feeling of charm and quality, and Puglia, Italy is what magic feels like.

“Italy is not a place, it is a feeling and it feels good.”

Words of our friend George

Anthony and I love to travel and learn how other countries and cultures live at home. Since Paris, France was my pick last year, Anthony chose Italy for our travel this year. Specifically he chose the region of Apulia, otherwise known as Puglia.

Puglia, situated in the heel of the boot, bordered by the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea, is know for rustic and fresh dishes filled with local ingredients such as eggplant, tomato, fava, olives and olive oil. Fresh fruits such as apricots and melons and fresh cheese such as scamorza and mozzarella are plentiful.

Anthony and I were traveling with our three boys, and with the help of our trusted travel consultant Diane, we decided to stay in a Trullo Villa in the countryside of Ostuni. What a beauty the home was and such an authentic experience. We were able to shop at the local markets and prepare our meals at the Villa. Our family is accustom to cooking and eating at home, so for us this was a wonderful and comfortable experience. I would suggest if you plan to try this, that you rent a vehicle so that you are able to come and go as you please. The villas are set on small country roads amongst farms and olive groves and are not within walking distance of shopping or tourist attractions. When staying in a Masseria or a villa you will feel right at home as though you are living the authentic Apulian life.

The region of Puglia provides more than half of the olive oil that comes from Italy. As you drive along the country roads there are miles and miles of olive groves. Many of the olive trees are thousands of years old. In Pulgia there is sunshine three-hundred days out of the year! This is my kind of place!

We learned so many things when we were traveling throughout Puglia, but the first thing and perhaps the most wonderful feeling, was the simple beauty of everything and everyone here. Every single aspect was bountiful but not overdone. We were surrounded by real and rustic beauty.

During the day we wandered through the small cities. Monopoli was our favorite, and this is where I found gorgeous fruits and veggies! The Adriatic Sea to the left of us and this beautiful farm truck full of fresh fruits to the right of us! We couldn’t help but grab fresh apricots, white figs, strawberries, melon and watermelon. There was also a vegetable market where we purchased fagiolini and aubergine (string beans and eggplants!)

Recipe for a Simple Charcuterie Board

Have your local butcher slice up 1/4 pound of Picante Sopressata, 1/4 pound Sweet Sopressata, 1/3 pound Parma Prosciutto and 1/3 pound Pancetta Coppa.

Choose one hard cheese, such as a Pecorino or a ricotta salata, and one soft cheese such as a fresh mozzarella or scamorza.

Open one jar of pitted olives, and grab a handful of fresh seedless green or purple grapes. If you prefer, sweet melon is also a wonderful addition.

Be sure to have a good quality olive oil for drizzling.

Slice a few plum tomatoes and make sure to have some fresh basil on hand. Doesn’t hurt to grab a focaccia or a loaf of Italian bread to accompany as well as a nice bottle of wine. You have now created your aperitivo.

Mangia!