Travelling by car is the best way to get everything out your holiday as this gives you the freedom to travel to se many different destinations. My husband and I have been exploring this way for the last nine years and it makes the holiday feel extra special as you are constantly greeted with new exciting places making the holiday feel much longer. We stayed almost three weeks and decided to fly from Italy to Provence for a change of scenery and even stayed a few nights in the French alps, just an hour away from Mount Blanc. Below you can see the travel route, we stayed in 8 destinations as a base, but visited many idyllic towns during our stay.

Puglia, wildly preserved with authenticity is a beautiful world of its own that only has opened its doors to the rest of us in the past decade or so. In May, the fields scatter with wild flowers, in June the wheat ripens, August is full of figs, September brings the start of grape harvest and October brings olives. The Italian heel is a collection of white-washed towns with narrow streets where handmade Orecchiette exists and is home to seductive luxury farmhouses. Tucked away in the countryside of Oria is a picture-esq escape, Masseria Palombara, a chic leisurely resort, where simplicity blends into humble elegance.

It was a brutally hot day for being late september when we visited this little seaside town for the first time and all I could remember was, how amazing it would be to dip into the crystal clear waters! We took a drive from Oria to Gallipoli as we were staying in Masseria Palombara and decided to make the most of visiting beautiful places near by. The beauty of Apulia is that it is scattered with breathtaking towns all across the coast making it an ideal holiday destination as there is much to explore at a leisurely pace.

Welcome to Vieste, a captivating coastal town nestled along the ruggedly beautiful Gargano Peninsula in southern Italy. Perched on the Adriatic Sea, Vieste enchants visitors with its dramatic cliffs, golden beaches, and a historic town that whispers tales of ancient maritime heritage. Wander through narrow alleys adorned with whitewashed buildings adorned with colorful flowers, each corner revealing a piece of the town's rich history. Renowned for its iconic Pizzomunno, a towering monolith that stands guard over the azure waters, Vieste beckons travelers to explore its picturesque Old Town, where medieval charm meets the vibrancy of Italian coastal life. With its sun-drenched landscapes, crystalline waters, and the warm embrace of the Mediterranean breeze, Vieste promises an unforgettable sojourn along the sun-kissed shores of the Gargano coast.

Nestled in the heart of the enchanting Puglia region, Cisternino emerges as a quintessential Italian gem, where time seems to stand still amid its historic charm. Cisternino is located in the province of Brindisi located right next to other gems, such as Martina Franca and Locorondo.

Embark on a journey through the picturesque city of Lecce, a treasure trove of art and architecture, where every step unfolds a wondrous spectacle. Known as the "Florence of the south," Lecce beckons you to begin your day with the local ritual of sipping iced almond milk, an invigorating prelude to the enchanting adventure that awaits within its ancient walls.