Guess from which place the new gourmode postcard was sent to us?

They describe this place as immense, framing the mountain on one side, and the sea on the other. The hill and the plain in between. Villages that have the voice and hands of old grannies, every corner here is a tale, a tradition, a strong emotion: the Valle d’Itria.

In the heart of Apulia, there is an immense “Valley,” the perfect triad: Martina Franca (capital of Valle d’Itria), Locorotondo and Cisternino, but also Ostuni, Ceglie Messapica, Alberobello, Carovigno and Fasano are part of this portion of the territory full of olive groves, masserie farms and dishes of orecchiette pasta with tomato and turnip tops.

Valle d’Itria mon amour is the introductory message of the postcard received from Giorgia Capriglia. A Pugliese doc, born in 1994, Giorgia is a young digital entrepreneur, stylish event organizer and a mind ready to always travel far but with her feet firmly planted in her beloved Apulia.Cosa ci farà vedere, scoprire, mangiare, sognare?

Make yourselves comfortable, as our journey is about to begin. It will be long but enjoyable, the Valle d’Itria is an area teeming with beauty and excellence.

Let’s give the word to Giorgia, our gou gou guide.

OSTUNI

Ostuni is my home, my locus amenus, the place where I lose myself to find myself. Perched on its hill from which it overlooks and enjoys the sea, the ‘White City’ stands out as a collection of small white houses, one attached to the other. This nickname, by which the town is also known, derives from the typical white colour with which the houses were painted. This is pure lime, a technique born and used during the time of the plague epidemic. Lime disinfects, cleanses, refreshes and is still chosen, not only for what was said before but also, nowadays, for a question of urban decorum and recognisability. A perfect mix of history, culture and objective beauty contribute to making Ostuni the ideal destination for those who want to spend a few days with a typical Mediterranean flavour. Moreover, its rich and delicious culinary tradition together with expanses of olive trees, sea and breathtaking landscapes cannot but make it the “place of dreams”.

Getting lost in its narrow streets, between ancient and modern, scents scattered in the air, little churches and typical shops, is an adventure to be experienced.

ALBEROBELLO AND ITS LITTLE SHOPS

If you stroll through the narrow streets of the town of Trulli, you cannot fail to be fascinated by the countless small shops selling local handicrafts. Here, lace is still made as it once was.

LOCOROTONDO

Famous for its rectangular houses with sloping roofs called “cummerse”, it is a medieval village known for its gastronomic delicacies and as the home of white wine. Furthermore, as one of the stops along the Strada del Vino Doc, a route that runs through various historic centres, vineyards and hills as far as Martina Franca.

CEGLIE MESSAPICA

Ceglie Messapica stands out among all as the home of good Apulian cuisine (and especially of generous portions like a good nonna would do). Here you can enjoy the famous Ceglie sandwich with mortadella, provolone, tuna and pickles, but even more famous in the city of almonds is the ‘BISCOTTO’. It is a biscuit made of almond paste, cherry jam or grapes, with a light lemon fragrance.

A less original variant also includes sugar icing all around or chocolate. In short, if you pass through Ceglie, you simply can not avoid eating or even remotely thinking about the word ‘diet’. As in the rest of Apulia!

SORELLE GIANFRATE – LOCOROTONDO

They are Apulia’s coolest sisters: Angelica, Claudia and Valeria. United not only by a strong bond but also by the art of creating unique and extremely Mediterranean objects. Among their beautiful projects is the ‘Sorelle Gianfrate’ brand, a series of straw accessories that immediately recall the simplest and most genuine Apulia, but always with an eye on the latest trends. They guarantee delicious online shopping ready to give you great très gourmode satisfaction.

Sorelle Gianfrate – @sorellegianfrate via Instagram, made in Apulia

MATÉ OSTUNI

A stone’s throw from Piazza della Libertà, in one of the city’s most beautiful and historic avenues, among trees and buildings, stands the small boutique Matè. A temple of beauty and craftsmanship where you can find some home and personal accessories as well as clothing, ideas and quality.

Maté Ostuni – Corso Giuseppe Mazzini 17, Ostuni (BR)

RESTO IN PUGLIA GIOIELLI – OSTUNI

A Trullo, an almond cross, an olive tree and so on, the most Apulian symbols ever become silver jewellery thanks to Roberta Giannotte’s designs and Piero Rosato’s goldsmith’s art. A beautiful souvenir to take with you after a holiday in the South.

Resto in Puglia gioielli – Ceramiche d’Alò, Corso Cavour 4, Ostuni (BR)

PUMO PUGLIESE – CISTERNINO

Apulia in a plate, in a glass, in a lamp, in any ornament that combines the art of ceramics with the most modern design. This is Pumo Pugliese, the ceramic company capable of leaving a pleasant memory with those who pass through this land and choose to take a piece of it with them.

Pumo Pugliese – Corso Umberto I 85, Cisternino (BR)

BORGO ANTICO BISTROT – OSTUNI

The richest, tastiest and most Instagrammable aperitif in the White City? At the Borgo Antico Bistrot. The perfect time is sunset when the sky turns deep orange and touches the sea. You can admire all this while sipping your cocktail and nibbling on some typical products.

Borgo Antico Bistrot – Via Fina 8, Ostuni (BR)

ALCHEMICAMENTE DA MADDALENA – SAVELLETRI DI FASANO

The most social glasses of summer are the sea view, in Savelletri di Fasano. A few snacks to accompany them but, most of all, the waves of the sea. At sunset.

Alchemicamente da Maddalena – Piazza Roma 8, Savelletri di Fasano (BR)

NAUSIKAA RISTORANTE – MARTINA FRANCA

Located in the historical centre of Martina Franca, the Nausikaa restaurant is a gem for true connoisseurs. Their cuisine retains all the flavour of tradition but with special touches worthy of attention.

Nausikaa Ristorante – Vico, Via Arco Fumarola 2, Martina Franca (TA)

TRATTORIA TERRA MADRE – ALBEROBELLO

From the garden to the table. If you want to taste the most authentic, km 0 Puglia, you cannot miss the culinary proposals of Trattoria Terra Madre in Alberobello. After a walk among the famous Trulli, it is certainly the most deserved break.

Trattoria Terra Madre – Piazza Sacramento 17, Alberobello (BA)

CASA SAN GIACOMO – OSTUNI

The stone all around, the oldest traditional Ostuni dishes, a little restaurant worth ‘tasting’. A stop here to lighten the steep climb to the Cathedral is a must.

Casa San Giacomo – Via Bixio Continelli 4, Ostuni (BR)

LA TRATTORIA DELLE RUOTE – MARTINA FRANCA

As nonno Peppino taught and handed down, tradition must be respected. Few, very few dishes on the menu but still prepared according to the noble art of Apulian cuisine. A tiny trattoria in the Martina Franca countryside is set up inside a Trullo. Nonna in the kitchen and the new generation serving. An intimate and familiar place where time seems to stand still! Here the orecchiette and meatballs are for everyone.

La trattoria delle ruote – Strada Monticello 1, Martina Franca (TA)

WALKING WINE – OSTUNI

The coolest aperitifs, for some years now, have been made among centuries-old olive groves and have all the flavour of tradition.

Walking Wine – wherever a party, a square, a panorama or a glimpse is

MASSERIA MONTENAPOLEONE – FASANO

A true gem where you can be pampered with a massage, enjoy the Apulian sun by the pool and experience the countless experiences organised by the hotel itself. Moreover, the charismatic chef Domenico Consoli is waiting to delight you with a typical dish prepared himself personally.

Masseria Montenapoleone – C.da Bicocca (Via delle Croci) 8, Pezze di Greco di Fasano (BR)

Before thanking Giorgia for her precious list of locations of the heart, à la mode and gourmets, we would like to let you know that in Valle d’Itria, it is forbidden not to be won over by its sartorial tradition.

There are now so many world-famous brands. From Tagliatore to LaTorre, from Berwich to Rosso Rame. Then there are countless tailor’s shops and up-and-coming young craft businesses such as the Antonella Loparco, Annalisa Palmisano, N’Claud and Manuela Conti brands.

All in all, the Itria Valley is an area worth visiting and discovering. A hotbed of talent and unmissable gems, both gastronomic and à la mode!

As we bid farewell in grand style, we would like to say thank you again to our gou gou girl made in Puglia, Giorgia, of the kind Cartolina, which carries with it Apulian flavours, fragrances and traditions.

We are looking forward to your social shares with the precious tags @ateliergourmode and @gour.mode, and hear ye, if you would also like to send us a postcard from your favourite place, please write to us at atelier@gourmode.com and we would be proud to share beauty with our passionate community!

Bon Voyage!