Ostuni, the White City

A late-summer Sunday, with mild weather ideal for an outing. Ostuni is easily reached from Bari. Taking the SS16, a smooth road even if at times clogged with vehicles heading for the sea, at a moderate speed you reach your destination in under an hour. Set on a hill, the little town enjoys a cool, temperate climate. It's called the "white city" for the characteristic dazzling colour of its houses, meant to capture the sun's rays in winter and reflect them in summer. Alleys, arches, flights of steps — everything is white. The shops sell all sorts of things, but above all whistles in all shapes and sizes. From the town, thanks to its position, you enjoy an enviable view and, especially outside the town, endless olive groves with centuries-old trunks.

At lunchtime there's a feast of little restaurants: best of all we recommend "Al tempo perso", a small inn with genuine food (we suggest tasty orecchiette with turnip tops)