Nestled in the "heel" of Italy's boot, Puglia is a beautiful destination brimming with stunning coastlines, historic towns and rich culture. So let me take you on a trip through three captivating places on the Adriatic coast – Ostuni, Monopoli and Fasano – pairing each location with an ideal watch to enhance our travel experience.
Ostuni
Known as the "white city", Ostuni dazzles thousands of visitors each year with its whitewashed buildings and mazy alleyways. Its historic old town packs in plenty of architectural delights such as the town’s 15th-century cathedral with Gothic facade and rose window.
My choice of wrist gear here could only be Trilobe’s Les Matinaux in rose gold with sunray silver dial. Its dial design and tones neatly echo the architectural motifs of the cathedral and the bright facades of the buildings.
If you continue strolling through the narrow streets, you come across charming piazzas, hidden courtyards and quaint shops offering local craft products. Foodies will definitely love the town's culinary offerings including traditional Apulian dishes like Orecchiette con Cime di Rapa and local, full-bodied wines. And if you come late August, you can enjoy the lively Cavalcata di Sant'Oronzo festival.
Monopoli
About 40 minutes away from Ostuni by car, Monopoli offers a lovely blend of historical charm and natural beauty. Again, whitewashed facades characterise this town.
Mosey down to the harbour to enjoy fresh seafood while watching local fishermen at work. From there, you can explore the medieval old town with its narrow alleys, ancient churches and the impressive Carlo V Castle.
Beyond its historical attractions, Monopoli boasts some fine beaches such as Porto Ghiacciolo, Cala Porto Rosso and – right in the town centre – Cala Porta Vecchia, which are all ideal for relaxing, swimming and even doing a bit of snorkelling.
With that in mind, a good-looking watch with decent water resistance should do the trick nicely in this glorious location – something like the Doxa SUB 200 Whitepearl with crisp white dial and sporty rubber strap.
Fasano
In between Ostuni and Monopoli, it’s worth stopping at Fasano which has a fair amount to offer while being less touristy. The town itself has some charming architecture including the 12th-century Church of San Giovanni Battista and the picturesque Piazza Ciaia. This is a great place to explore local shops and cafes.
Fasano is also home to the Selva di Fasano, a lush hillside area ideal for nature walks and panoramic views. The nearby archaeological site of Egnazia provides an insightful glimpse into ancient Roman and Messapian civilizations with its well-preserved ruins and museum.
Not far from the Selva is Zoosafari, one of the largest wildlife parks in Italy and a highlight for families. The park is home to a wide range of animals like lions, elephants and rhinos which all roam around in expansive habitats. The park notably engages in conservation and education programs aimed at protecting endangered species and raising awareness about wildlife preservation.
There can only be one watch fit for this excursion: The Hublot Big Bang Unico SORAI, created to support the organisation SORAI which stands for “Save Our Rhino Africa India”.
One of the recent editions of this ongoing series features colours that evoke the sunset, in turn reminding us of the heightened danger rhinos in the wild face from poachers at dusk.
