Locorotondo, a tiny hilltop town in Puglia, has been hailed as a hidden gem by a traveller who says it looks like a Greek island but still feels like a real, lived-in place. Flights from Manchester to Bari are available from £68 this month, and the transfer from Bari to Locorotondo takes less than an hour.
A 'round place' with a maze of streets
When Ines Santos first arrived in Locorotondo, she thought it looked like a Greek island. The buildings are dazzlingly white, narrow streets wind between pretty houses and colourful flowers spill from balconies. But there is something wonderfully Italian about the whole place that makes it feel unique.
The clue to its unusual layout is in the name. Locorotondo literally means 'round place', thanks to the circular shape of its historic centre, which is built around the top of a hill. Rather than following a straight road through the town, visitors can wander through a maze of tiny streets, never quite knowing what they will find around the next corner.
Real town with local traditions
The houses are ridiculously pretty, with Locorotondo's traditional sloping-roofed homes adding to its distinctive look. But what Santos loved most was that, despite being undeniably beautiful, Locorotondo still felt like a real town where people actually live.
Some of Puglia's most famous destinations can get incredibly busy, but Locorotondo had a much slower, more relaxed atmosphere when she visited. Even the balconies have their own local competition - every year, residents decorate their balconies with flowers and plants, competing to create the prettiest displays.
Exceptional pizza and valley views
Santos also had one of the best pizzas she has ever eaten there. She stopped at Pizzeria Casa Pinto, one of the town's most famous spots, and ordered the Arriete - a tomato sauce-based pizza topped with fior di latte, cream cheese, speck and rocket. The combination was incredible, the flavours did not overpower each other, the speck was quite subtle, and the dough really stood out.
The restaurant itself was also beautiful: a rustic taverna with a quintessentially Italian feel, where two locals were making the pizzas. The place is so popular that it was completely full when she visited, with staff no longer taking reservations from around 1pm. She felt very lucky to have got a table and recommends going early.
Locorotondo is perched high above the surrounding countryside, offering incredible views across the Itria Valley. From the edge of the historic centre, the white buildings give way to a patchwork of green countryside, vineyards, olive groves and the region's famous trulli.
The town can be visited as part of Great Rail Journeys' eight-day 'Hidden Gems of Southern Puglia' trip, starting from £1,799 per adult, based on double occupancy. The price includes return flights from London Gatwick or Heathrow to Brindisi, accommodation at a four-star all-inclusive resort, all coach travel, and guided tours and excursions.
