Top 10 Things To Do in the Puglia Region, Italy

Puglia is one of the most beautiful and unique regions in all of Italy!

Why you should visit the Puglia Region:

Welcome to the enchanting region of Puglia, Italy, where centuries-old traditions blend harmoniously with stunning landscapes and delectable cuisine. In this travel blog post, I will take you on a journey through the top 10 must-do activities in Puglia, uncovering the region's hidden gems and immersing ourselves in the authentic Italian culture.

Puglia is considered the southern boot of Italy, and has some of the most amazing sites to see and food to try. It was one of my favorite regions of Italy and I think it is very underrated. I enjoyed it because it was less touristy than other areas of Italy and also had some of the most beautiful towns.

Best hotels in the puglia region:

Wondering what the best hotels are in the Puglia region?

I stayed in Ostuni and Monopoli and split my time between the two cities to get the most out of my Puglia experience!

• In Ostuni, we stayed at B&B Casa d'Autore which was perfect as a base location to get to all of the amazing locations around the Puglia region. The breakfast was amazing and the accommodations were so lovely and cozy.

• In Monopoli, we stayed at the Don Ferrante Hotel. This hotel was magnificent and really unique. Once an ancient fortress, Don Ferrante offers luxury accommodations in a panoramic location on the cliffs of Monopoli. It has a pool and is also centrally located to all of the shops and restaurants around the area. ThLinked here is a review of my experience staying there.

Here are the top 10 things to do in the Puglia region:

1. Go to Matera for a day and enjoy the most amazing ancient city

2. See the Trulli houses in Alberbello

Step into a fairytale as you explore the UNESCO-listed town of Alberobello, famous for its unique conical-roofed houses known as trulli. Wander through the labyrinthine streets, snap Instagram-worthy pictures, and learn about the fascinating history of these ancient structures.

3. Visit Polignano A Mare and soak up the beautiful beach views

4. Go to a traditional cheese farm and make your own cheese at Masseria Cappella which is in the Martina Franca countryside (contact them at: masseriacappella@gmail.com )

5. Explore the unique white-washed town of Ostuni

Stroll through the winding alleys of Ostuni, the "White City," characterized by its whitewashed buildings and stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Discover charming piazzas, historic churches, and boutique shops. This was the main city we based ourselves in to explore the Puglia region.

6. Visit an olive oil farm and do tastings at Masseria Brancati which is in the Ostuni countryside (contact them at info@masseriabrancati.com )

7. Visit the seaside town of Monopoli

If you decide to stay here, Don Ferrante Hotel is an amazing choice!

8. See the capital Bari and visit the and try the famous focaccia bread at Panificio Fiore. Also visit the famous church San Nicola

9. Visit the ancient town of Lecce and walk around the beautiful city

Immerse yourself in the Baroque splendor of Lecce, known as the "Florence of the South." Admire the intricate facades, visit the impressive Basilica di Santa Croce, and soak in the lively atmosphere of this cultural gem.

10. Visit the picturesque town of Locorotondo, renowned for its circular layout and charming white houses with sloping roofs. Delight in the local wines, explore the winding streets, and absorb the timeless ambiance.

Overall, Puglia is an amazing region in Italy that is a must-see for any kind of traveler! It has everything, from the best food to the nicest locals, I highly recommend adding Puglia to your Italy bucket list.

The Puglia Region of Italy offers a tapestry of enchanting experiences, from exploring ancient towns to indulging in authentic cuisine and embracing the stunning natural beauty. With its unique cultural heritage and unspoiled charm, Puglia is an ideal destination for travelers seeking an immersive and unforgettable Italian adventure. Plan your journey to this hidden gem, and prepare to be captivated by the essence of Puglia.

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About Bri Sea Travel

Hi! I’m Bri, the creator behind Bri Sea Travel. I share hidden gems, boutique hotels, scenic hikes, and detailed travel guides to help you discover unforgettable places beyond the typical tourist trail.

I’ve explored 16+ countries, partnered with 100+ hotels and tourism brands, and built a community of over 730,000 travelers across social media.

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Discover Paradise: The Top 10 Things To Do In Kauai, Hawaii

Why you should visit Kauai, Hawaii:

Kauai is one of my favorite places I have ever been to. The nature, waterfalls, and beaches are incredible, and the entire time I felt like I was in a rainforest paradise. It truly is a magical place to see nature in its truest form.

WHERE TO STAY IN KAUAI, HAWAII:

Depending on what area of the island you would like to be on and your budget, there are a great variety of options when staying on Kauai.

• Luxury: 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. If you want to be on the north end of Kauai, this is the hotel for you. Just opened in 2023, the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is paradise!

• Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa: if you’re looking for a hotel that is located on the south side of the island, the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa has everything you could ask for and then some. The resort has a golf course, restaurants, tennis courts, pools, and a spa.

Top 10 Things To Do In Kauai, Hawaii:

Click here for a video that sums up the best things to do.

1) Hike the first portion of the Kalalau Trail to the beach where you will see amazing views and it will easily become one of your favorite hikes. This hike is rated as moderate and according to my Fitbit, was 6 miles long roundtrip.

Note- you need to make a reservation/permit on the website linked here to be able to enter the park. The reservation is super important because it also decides if you have to take a shuttle into the park or can park your car. I would suggest making your reservation 4 days in advance for the shuttle, and up to 30 days in advance for the car option.

2) Hike to Hanakapaii Falls (the tallest waterfall in Kauai… and the best one I have ever seen)—- you need the same permit/reservation for this hike as the one above, which I will link again here. Also disclaimer, this is a difficult hike where you have to cross multiple rivers and climb rocks, so make sure you are prepared. It’s around 11 miles roundtrip total as well, so bring lots of water, food, and shoes that can get wet.

3) Explore the scenic viewpoints and do the Canyon Trail to Waipoo Falls hike at Waimea Canyon (which is called the Grand Canyon of the pacific). This is a beautiful hike where you get to hike to the top of a waterfall that goes into the canyon. If you have time after your hike and are hungry, grab food at the historic Kōkeʻe Lodge which is a really cool spot that transports you out of Hawaii.

4) Visit the famous Hanalei Bay and get Pink’s Hanalei original grilled cheese for lunch (pro tip- bring your lunch onto the beach and have a picnic when looking at the incredible views). Make sure to also walk around this cute surf town and stop at the famous Wishing Well for shave ice before leaving town.

5) Do a Na Pali Coast boat tour with Captain Andy’s (this is weather dependent, but if you go in the summer months you have a much better chance of being able to go out). I highly recommend the Catamaran tour for a smoother ride, but if you are up to the adventure, book a raft tour with Captain Andy’s!

6) Do an ATV tour with Kipu Ranch Adventures. I specifically did the Triple Trail Expedition and it was wonderful. The waterfall at the end was gorgeous too!

7) Visit Poipu Beach (to see the turtles and sometimes seals on the beach). Pro tip- near sunset is a great time to get a chance to see the turtles laying on the beach.

8) Do a kayak and hike tour on the Wailua River to Secret Falls with Kayak Wailua. This was such a wonderful activity and took about 5 hours total. The kayaking along the river is gorgeous and so is the hike to the waterfall.

9) Visit Kilauea Lighthouse (you might even see some whales and definitely will see some goats on the way!) You don’t need too much time here but it is a great place to learn about the different types of animals on Kauai!

10) Do a helicopter tour over the island to see waterfalls, valleys, and the Na Pali Coast by air. This is something I haven’t done yet but everyone says is amazing. I’ve heard Wings Over Kauai is a great option!

Overall, you can’t go wrong with what you do on Kauai. I highly recommend though spending less time laying on the beaches and more time exploring all of the different things that the island has to offer!

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About Bri Sea Travel

Hi! I’m Bri, the creator behind Bri Sea Travel. I share hidden gems, boutique hotels, scenic hikes, and detailed travel guides to help you discover unforgettable places beyond the typical tourist trail.

I’ve explored 16+ countries, partnered with 100+ hotels and tourism brands, and built a community of over 730,000 travelers across social media.

Follow along for more hidden gems:
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Top 10 Things To Do In Santorini, Greece

Why visit Santorini, Greece?

Santorini is a beautiful island with stunning views. It had wonderful shopping, restaurants, and so many fun things to do around the island. My personal favorite thing to do was the catamaran tour I mentioned below. I stayed in Santorini for 3 nights and 4 days, which I felt was the perfect amount of time. See below for the top 10 things you should do during your time in Santorini!

If you’re also wondering what to pack, I have an Amazon storefront Destination: Greece list!

best hotel in Santorini, greece:

• Blue Dolphins Hotel is the best hotel to stay at in Santorini. See here for a blog post about my experience staying at Blue Dolphins Hotel.

Top 10 Things To Do In Santorini, Greece:

1) Sunset catamaran tour with Caldera Yachting

This is the absolute best catamaran tour in Santorini. We had such an amazing time and the sunset was the best we had ever seen. I actually wrote an entire blog post about this experience linked here.

2) Do the iconic flying dress photoshoot with Goddess Santorini

This was something I never expected to do during my time in Santorini but I highly recommend it for such a memorable moment and photos! The photographers were so nice and professional, definitely recommend doing a photoshoot with them if you are planning a trip to Santorini.

3) Have a delicious sunset dinner at Strogili restaurant in Oia

This was a gorgeous place with amazing views in Oia, Santorini. I did a lot of research about which restaurant to go to for the best views, and this one did not dissapoint!

4) Snap pictures of the blue domes in Imerovigli

If you don’t have the town of Imerovigli on your list, you must add it to your Santorini trip!! The blue domes there are gorgeous and it’s actually where a lot of the flying dress photoshoots take their pictures

5) Explore the traditional villages of Pyrgos and Emporio

To do this, you will have to either rent a car (which I don’t recommend) or hire a private driver/guide to take you around the island. It was really cool to see the traditional villages of this touristy island, especially because most people don’t go to them

6) Sunset dinner at Argo restaurant in Fira

7) Go shopping in Oia

When you go to dinner in Oia, make sure to go to all of the shops and walk around. Note— it can get really crowded on the streets of Oia, especially around the time of sunset. I recommend going shopping before or after you have dinner, but most likely after since before it will be very crowded

8) Rent a car or hire a driver for a few hours to explore the island

We did this and it was great to see the island from a different perspective!

9) Get delicious gyros at Why Not! Souvlaki in Firostefani

These were the best gyros I had during our entire trip to Greece!

10) Explore all of the shops of Fira

Overall, Santorini is such a wonderful place to visit and there are endless amazing things to do! I recommend that everyone should go to Santorini, Greece at least once in their lives, so they can take in the amazing sunsets and the caldera views.

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About Bri Sea Travel

Hi! I’m Bri, the creator behind Bri Sea Travel. I share hidden gems, boutique hotels, scenic hikes, and detailed travel guides to help you discover unforgettable places beyond the typical tourist trail.

I’ve explored 16+ countries, partnered with 100+ hotels and tourism brands, and built a community of over 730,000 travelers across social media.

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Milos, Greece: Top 10 Must-Do Activities for an Unforgettable Trip

Why Visit Milos, Greece?

Milos is an up-and-coming destination in the Greek Islands. It is known for its beautiful turquoise water and stunning coastline. I personally enjoyed Milos even more than Santorini. I stayed in Milos for 4 nights and 5 days and it was the perfect amount of time.

Cave Suites Milos was where I stayed and it was one of my favorite places I have ever stayed due to the amazing service, beauty of the accommodation, and location. If you’re wondering what to pack for Milos, linked here is my Greece packing list!

top 10 things to do in Milos, greece:

1) Catamaran tour around the island with Polco Sailing

2) Kayaking adventure with Milos Water Sports

3) Rent a car or ATV and adventure around the island to the beaches

4) Dinner at the famous and traditional O! Hamos! restaurant

5) Visit the island’s capital Plaka for sunset at the church and dinner at Archontoula

6) Go to the famous Sarankiniko beach for a picnic and swim

7) Visit Mandrakia fishing village and get lunch at the famous Medusa restaurant

8) Spend a beach day at Firopotamos Beach

9) Visit Klima fishing village for colorful houses and the most gorgeous sunset

10) Swim and tan at the undiscovered Alogomandra beach

If this list hasn’t convinced you to travel to Milos, I don’t know what will! Milos was one of my favorite places I have ever traveled to and I would definitely go back again. I hope all of these things to do in Milos, Greece really helps you plan your next incredible trip there.

More Travel Guides You’ll Love:

If you enjoyed this guide, here are a few more hidden gems, boutique hotels, and itineraries to explore next:

✨ More Hidden Gems
🏨 Boutique Hotel Reviews
🗺️ Travel Itineraries

About Bri Sea Travel

Hi! I’m Bri, the creator behind Bri Sea Travel. I share hidden gems, boutique hotels, scenic hikes, and detailed travel guides to help you discover unforgettable places beyond the typical tourist trail.

I’ve explored 16+ countries, partnered with 100+ hotels and tourism brands, and built a community of over 730,000 travelers across social media.

Follow along for more hidden gems:
📸 Instagram
🎵 TikTok
📌 Pinterest