Puglia: Aperol Spritz, Makeshift Cannons, and Road Trip Shenanigans

A Swedish Connection: Meeting Hannah in Puglia

Our time in Puglia started with a blend of excitement and relief. After yet another van repair, we were back on the road, ready to explore the stunning coastline. Our destination was a beach south of Taranto, where we were finally going to meet Hannah, a Swedish woman we'd been chatting with online for weeks.

We got to the beach before Hannah, which gave us a chance to soak in the amazing view of the Ionian Sea. The sun was shining, the waves were gently rolling in, and we couldn't have asked for a better spot to start our Puglian adventure.

When Hannah arrived, she came over with a big smile and a friendly wave. Meeting her felt like catching up with an old friend. We spent the afternoon hanging out on the beach, chatting and laughing as if we'd known each other forever.

As the sun started to set, it got a little chilly, so we all decided to retreat to the warmth of our van. The van had just been fixed and was running smoothly, making it the perfect cozy hangout spot. Hannah, being the awesome cook she is, had whipped up a delicious meal in her own van and brought it over to ours. We all dug in, sharing stories and savoring the fantastic food.

Our van turned into a little dining room on wheels as we enjoyed our meal. The vibe was relaxed and fun just a bunch of friends enjoying each other's company, with the sound of waves in the background. It was clear right away that meeting Hannah was going to be a highlight of our trip. Her love for travel and knack for enjoying the simple things in life made her a perfect match for us.

What we didn't know then was that this was just the beginning of an incredible month spent with Hannah. Our adventures in Puglia were just getting started, and we couldn't wait to see where the journey would take us.

Polignano a Mare: The Coastal Gem with a Surprise Wake-up Call

After meeting Hannah, our adventure took us to Polignano a Mare, a charming town on the east coast of Puglia. If you haven’t been there, let me tell you: Polignano a Mare is seriously one of the nicest coastal towns we’ve ever laid eyes on. The place is like something straight out of a postcard, with its dramatic cliffs, winding streets, and breathtaking sea views.

We found an incredible spot to park right on the cliff's edge, overlooking the beautiful blue waters below. Even though there were "no camping" signs all around, there were literally hundreds of campers lined up along the cliffs, enjoying the same stunning views. We figured, if everyone else was doing it, why not join in?

That evening, we cracked open a few bottles of wine and watched the sunset paint the sky with gorgeous colours. Hannah, proving once again that she’s a wizard in the kitchen, cooked us another mouthwatering dinner in her van and brought it over to ours. As we sat there, savoring the meal and the incredible view, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for this little slice of paradise.

The next morning, we got quite the unexpected wake up call. Out of nowhere, an old man appeared nearby with a makeshift cannon, firing what looked like mortar rounds into the sky. It was bizarre, to say the least, and it didn’t take long for the police to show up. We thought they'd stop the chaos, but they just watched, shrugged, and left him to his antics. Talk about a wild start to the day!

Making New Friends in Monopoli

After the morning's unexpected entertainment, we packed up and hit the road again, heading south to Monopoli. This town was another beautiful stop, with its charming old town and picturesque harbor. It was here that we met Theo, a Frenchman who would soon become the fourth member of our little travel family.

Theo was a character in the best way possible. He had a laid-back vibe and a sense of adventure that matched ours perfectly. With Hannah, Theo, and us all together, we felt like we had the perfect crew for exploring Puglia.

Back to Puglia: Where the Fun Never Ends

After a week in Abruzzo (more on that later), we decided to hit the rewind button and head back to Puglia. And boy, was it worth it! Reuniting with Hannah and Theo in Monopoli was like finding the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle. The gang was back together, and we were ready to dive into more shenanigans.

We rolled into Monopoli, and it was like we’d never been apart. The real fun began when we all got together before Darian and I ventured off to check out the trulli houses and Ostuni. Let me tell you, exploring these quirky trulli and the dazzling white city of Ostuni was cool, but it was nothing compared to the laughs and adventures awaiting us back with Hannah and Theo.

With the crew reunited, the party really started. Our days were packed with all kinds of fun: playing chess (where Theo’s sneaky tactics were legendary), consuming a suspicious amount of wine, and BBQing right on the beach. The nights were even better—full of impromptu dance-offs, endless laughter, and storytelling marathons where we swapped tales of our past lives. Who knew learning about each other’s previous lives could be so entertaining?

And speaking of fun, here’s a highlight: one night, I managed to turn my drone into a high-tech paperweight after a not-so-graceful crash landing. Theo and I both decided to get new drones, and Theo, never one to miss an opportunity for a bit of mischief, flew his new drone about 1km away, to invite another frenchman and Margaux (who were camping out of sight) to join our beach bash. They showed up, and let’s just say it turned into one of those nights you wish could last forever.

Our adventures didn’t stop there. We even took a wild detour to Brindisi for an unforgettable night out. With the entire gang together, we made the most of every beach, city, and sunset Puglia had to offer. After a few more days together as a group of five, we wrapped up our incredible time in Puglia and headed to Bari to catch the ferry to Durrës, Albania. This ferry ride marked the end of our Italian adventure, and we left with a treasure trove of memories and a few extra bottles of Aperol Spritz in our hearts.

In the end, having our little “home from home” on the road made this part of the trip truly special. With unforgettable moments, new friends, and countless memories, Puglia will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Reflections and Highlights

Puglia was an absolute gem, but the real standout was our parking spot about twenty minutes south of Brindisi. We stayed there for about a week, and it quickly became our favorite spot. Mornings at this little paradise were a comedy show: we’d stumble out of the van, take stock of the aftermath of our nightly revelry (beer cans and wine bottles everywhere), and then start the day with coffee and breakfast. Sometimes we’d play a game of chess or take a refreshing dip in the sea. It felt like living in our own beachside sitcom, with all the laughs and none of the drama.

Over the month, we met some incredible people, not just Hannah and Theo. We crossed paths with Margaux and her lovable dog Swan (who will get their own feature in the Albania blog), a lively crew of yacht sailors, and many other travelers who added to our adventure. And let’s not forget the Aperol Spritz—our unofficial drink of the trip. We might have enjoyed a few too many, but they were the perfect accompaniment to our sunset toasts and good times.

In the end, having our little “home from home” on the road made this part of the trip truly special. With unforgettable moments, new friends, and countless memories, Puglia will always hold a special place in our hearts.