This is one of the most beautiful regions of Italy - and part of what makes it so beautiful is that it's virtually deserted.

The thing about Italy, which you soon learn if you spent much time there, is that it's often surprisingly crowded, especially during the summer months. So somewhere like Puglia, which tends to be visited only by Italians, is so refreshing.

Added to which, the landscape is stunning, there is no industry so the air is pure, the hotels are very simple and everything about it - be it the food, the temperature or the sea - is just perfect.

Really, it's the best of Italy without any of the downsides that inevitably come with tourism. How long it will stay that way, I don't know, so I go now, whenever I can.