With its olives groves and white washed hotels, rustic homemade cuisine and miles and miles of glistening Adriatic coastline, we couldn’t help but be charmed by Puglia, Italy’s still somewhat undiscovered region to the south. On a two week roadtrip in the summer of 2012 we set out to explore as much of the “heel” as we possibly could. Here we share a few of our essential experiences for a lovely Puglian holiday:

For a truly authentic stay, check into a masseria – or fortified farmhouse, usually set in a working farm producing olive oil, wine, or produce. The coast between Bari and Brindisi is filled with them, many of which have now been converted into stylish boutique hotels. A few of our favorites include Masseria Torre Maizza, a hip hideaway with modern furnishings, Borgo San Marco, a rustic beauty with a fabulous beach-edge pool and Masseria Cervarolo, where you can overnight in a traditional cone-roofed trulli bedroom.

Fertile and flat and close to the sea, Puglia produces lots of locally grown vegetables, extra virgin olive oil and fresh caught seafood. Creamy burrata and orecchiette (the region’s official pasta shape) also make appearances on menus everywhere. Don’t miss Da Tuccino in Polignano a Mare for impressively presented crudo, Masseria Il Frantoio in Ostuni for a beautiful al fresco dinner surrounded by olive trees, and LaltroBaffo in Otranto for inspired, creative seafood dishes.

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