World Insights Bringing You best of world at one placeIt’s well known that Italians flee their cities for the seaside in the summer, seeking refuge from the scorching temperatures of late July and August. However, for the hippest northern Italian crowd – the fashion designers and film stars of Milan, Turin and Bologna – a beautiful beach and a picturesque piazza for the evening passeggiata are simply not going to cut it. Members of this elite club choose a holiday destination to be seen in, along with the kind of super-slick venues to which they are accustomed in the fashionable north.
Which is where Puglia comes in. The heel of Italy’s boot, it has long been known for its stunning beaches and fantastic cuisine. Now another feature of the region has taken its place in the spotlight: its caves.
Due to movements in the Earth’s crust 150 million years ago, much of Puglia is made up of very soft sandy rock, known as tufo. As well as contributing to the formation of Puglia’s stunning coastline, punctuated by grottoes appreciated by scuba-divers, the softness of this rock allowed ancient dwellers to make their homes in cave settlements.
Situated in the heart of Ostuni, Puglia’s most charming hill town and a hugely popular spot for both Northern Italians and British tourists, Riccardo Caffé is the place to be seen. Ideal for a chilled-out early evening aperitivo, after dinner it is transformed into a quirky lounge bar that spills out into the cobbled, labyrinthine streets of Ostuni.
by Jo Caird
