The southern Italian town of Alberobello is far from the tourist trail, but those that do make it there are in for a treat.
Since 2006 the town has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracting a growing number of visitors. Alberobello is famed for its gnome-like houses known as trulli. There are around 1,500 of them in the town, making for a distinctive look.
Interestingly the dwellings started life as part of a tax avoidance scheme in the Middle Ages. Trulli are made from stacked limestone with no mortar in between, which allows them to be knocked down and rebuilt quickly. As a result, Alberobello wasn’t considered a permanent settlement, and its residents were not subject to taxes.
Today, the buildings are protected and they’re not knocked down, but it’s a fascinating backstory. You can wander around town to visit various trulli that have been turned into shops and workshops, and even stay in a trulli hotel to see what it’s like to live in one.
Alberobello is a must-see on a trip to Puglia and southern Italy. It’s around one hour from Bari and its international airport, and European Capital of Culture 2019 Matera, a town home to a number of spectacular cave dwellings. It’s also worth checking out Taranto and Lecce, too, if you’ve got a few weeks to play with.
Read This Next
“Live Like a Local” Experiences
Top Trends
Dec 11, 2014#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedHotel
Jul 24, 2024Hôtel Swexan Teams Up with O2 Dallas for National Wellness Month
Hôtel Swexan, a luxury hotel in Dallas, is set to partner with O2, a transformative wellness center recently opened just minutes away from the hotel. The collaboration comes just in time for National Wellness Month in August. Known for its state-of-the-art gym and fitness classes, Hôtel Swexan plans to raise the bar with O2’s holistic approach to wellness.
Sponsored Content
United Continues Its Global Expansion
United Airlines keeps soaring to new heights, recently announcing another expansion of its leading global route network. The airline added new non-stop flights between Newark (EWR) and Marrakesh (RAK), Morocco; Tokyo (NRT) and Cebu (CEB), Philippines; and Houston (IAH) and Medellin (MDE), Colombia. That’s not all: United also plans to increase flights to popular worldwide destinations including Hong Kong (HKG); Seoul (INC), South Korea; and Porto (OPO), Portugal. Following the recent agreement to increase flights between the U.S. and Chinese governments, the airline now adds four weekly flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Shanghai (PVG).
Uncategorized
Jul 24, 2024Hotel Anna & Bel Set to Debut in Philadelphia’s Fishtown
Philadelphia’s eclectic Fishtown neighborhood gets a new resident on Aug. 7: Hotel Anna & Bel, boasting 50 guestrooms between a main building and an annexed adjoining townhouse, a Mediterranean restaurant, a secluded pool courtyard, and wellness amenities.
Hotel
Jul 23, 2024Try Hyatt’s New Amenities and Perks for Stress-Free Summer Travel
It’s the summer of Hyatt, and the brand’s luxury and lifestyle hotels across the United States and Latin America introduced exclusive amenities, perks and services to make summer travel experiences more seamless and less stressful. The new Be More Here brand platform invites guests to be more present and immerse in meaningful travel experiences. These hotels and offerings take advantage of the platform's philosophy.
Sponsored Content
Taiwan Tourism Introduces New Waves of Wonder Identity
Waves of Wonder, the new brand slogan for Taiwan Tourism, captures the essence of seasonal travel across Taiwan. Travelers interested in visiting Taiwan can learn more through an animated short film and promotional song. As travel to Taiwan surges post-pandemic and Taipei Taoyuan International Airport expands operations, tourism in the country delivers a richer array of travel experiences as it innovates toward sustainability and digitization.
Hotel
Jul 23, 2024Learn the Craft of Glass Art with Lotte Hotel Seattle
Seattle boasts a vibrant world of glass art, standing as the epicenter of the craft. Art enthusiasts flock to this heart of the Pacific Northwest for its rich history, spirit and devotion to glass artistry. In the center of downtown Seattle, Lotte Hotel Seattle, from Korean hospitality brand Lotte Hotels, offers guests a sophisticated, luxurious stay and the opportunity to learn more about glass art.
ShareThis