Mistakes to avoid when booking a Puglia holiday: my experience of getting it wrong!
- Christopher White
- 1 day ago
- 18 min read
Updated: 11 hours ago
Going abroad can be a really stressful experience, whether or not you are familiar with your destination.
Even now, after 16 years of visiting Puglia, I still find myself falling foul of the do’s and don’ts.
So this particular Puglia travel guide is essentially a list of everything I’ve messed up on my trips to Puglia since 2010 – to try and help anyone who’s planning a Puglia holiday!
You’ll still make mistakes of course, but hopefully less of them after reading this.
Here are all the mistakes to avoid when booking a Puglia holiday:
Skip to: the Essential Puglia Holiday Packing List
Booking flights to Puglia too early – or too late
Apparently the best (i.e. cheapest) time to book your flight (and this applies anywhere in the world) is around 1-3 months in advance, if you’re travelling to Puglia from the UK or Europe. Add another 1-3 months to this though, if you’re planning to go during peak season (July and August).
If you’re travelling from afar, then the advice is to book anywhere from 2-8 months in advance.
And apparently, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to travel.
Paying for hold luggage
This mainly applies during the hot months (May/June to September - read my blog on the best time of year to visit Puglia), but to be honest, unless you need to bring lots of skincare products or other bits and pieces, you can usually get away with bringing everything in a backpack – which will fit under the seat, for free.
You can get some great Easyjet and Ryanair-compliant backpacks for not much money (see the links below), and you’ll be surprised at how much you can stuff in there (especially if you roll everything up).
And if you’re booking self-catered accommodation in Puglia, then there is likely to be a washing machine to do an interim wash of your particulars.
Frankly, it’s just so hot that you really won’t need to bring anything other than underwear, t-shirts and thin layers. You can tie your sweatshirt or coat around your waist when you go through the airport gate to fool the staff checking carry-on sizes.
That alone could save you £50 per suitcase, each way, per person!
For at least the last 10 years, I’ve been doing it this way, and really haven’t noticed a difference in the quality of my holiday.
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Going to Puglia at the wrong time of year
I’ve been to Puglia in July and August, and let me tell you, it can get really hot. You may end up sheltering in the air con at home for the afternoon each day anyway.
Plus, because it’s peak season and all the families go then in school holidays, everything is about three times as expensive as normal.
If you have a choice of when you go, then June and September are both really nice months, and your holiday will be much cheaper in terms of car rentals, flights and accommodation (plus, restaurants will be slightly less hectic and easier to get a 'prenotazione' - reservation - at).
Check out the best time of year to visit Puglia on this month-by-month blog.
Arriving into the airport too late
This applies to both arriving into Puglia, and then on the way back, arriving into your home airport.
Getting into Bari or Brindisi airports late (after 8pm) has a knock-on effect: your car rental could be deemed as ‘out of hours’ (I received a £50 charge from the rental company about 3 months after my trip); then your accommodation might charge you for a late check in too.
Logistically that just adds pressure to what is already a stressful experience. You’ll also be driving in a new place for the first time in the dark.
Many flights to Puglia, especially from the UK, leave at an horrendously early time of day – sometimes 6am – meaning that you arrive at around 10am. But whilst you might not have much left of your personality by the time you land, it does mean that everything is a bit more chilled, as check in won’t be until 3pm. So you can immediately decompress in the airport cafe, and settle into a slower pace of life.
Similarly, on the return flight, getting into any airport at 11pm just creates headaches, especially if you’re reliant on public transport to get home. In 2022, we landed at Gatwick at 11.30pm, got off the plane at midnight, got our suitcases at 1am, and then basically had to get an Uber back to Bristol for £250, as all the trains were cancelled and buses full.
Not renting a car for your Puglia holiday
I’ve written about the pros and cons of getting around Puglia by car versus by train, so there are definitely considerations for both.
Personally, I feel like getting a car is a good option to see as much of Puglia as possible. You can literally go anywhere, and see so many places you’d miss if you didn’t have one; and you won't spend ages waiting around or getting to train stations.
Plus, you can do a big shop at a supermercato when you arrive, and find any manner of great restaurants in other towns and areas, and the best beaches too.
Sure, it adds a cost, and you have to experience the terror of driving in Italy, but that is a skill that is nice to have under your belt on return visits!
Staying in one place for your whole Puglia trip
This does come with a caveat, which is that if your trip is one week or under in duration, then staying in one place isn’t a bad thing. It gives you a base to explore, and if it’s your first time in Puglia, then that’s actually really handy for such a short space of time.
If you’re planning on staying for longer, then I’d definitely recommend mixing it up and booking one or two other places to stay.
For example, you would love Matera (just across the border in Basilicata - where they filmed the opening sequences for No Time To Die) for a couple of nights (it's really handy for Bari airport too).
Your other accommodation choices should be somewhere in the Valle d’Itria (where all the cute trulli are), and perhaps somewhere nearer the Salento (everywhere south of Brindisi).
This variety will really show you three quite different and unique sides to Puglia.
A further tip here is to avoid all-inclusive resorts, unless you want to be be served on, hand and foot. Typically you might find that you end up just staying there for your trip, so you might as well have gone to a resort in Greece or Spain.
I think that booking self-catered accommodation encourages you (in a good way) to get out and about, and do some exploring - even if it's just to the best beaches, towns, restaurants and supermarkets.
Not learning any Italian whatsoever
I feel quite embarrassed to admit this, but from 2010 to 2018 I didn’t bother learning any Italian, except for ‘hello,’ ‘thanks,’ etc – the real basics. I certainly couldn't understand anything, or make myself understood to the Pugliese people. Everything relied on the typically obtuse British way of hoping the locals spoke English, which is not a great look!
I eventually figured out that I couldn’t just rely on my friends translating for me, and I wanted to be able to adequately get by on my own.
I dabbled with Duolingo, which was OK for vocabulary, but didn’t really teach me how to understand the language. But - I can highly recommend getting hold of the starter or foundation copies of the Michel Thomas Method instead – honestly it was a game-changer for learning Italian!
Asking for the menu at restaurants
In the tourist trap restaurants, it's highly likely that you'll choose from a menu. But in the places where the locals eat, someone asking for a menu does raise eyebrows. What you should do instead is simply ask for antipasti for however many are in your group, and ask your server for whatever wine they recommend.
You’ll get mountains of food, and probably really quite cheaply too.
My absolute all time favourite for this approach is Vini Fritti e Cucina in Ceglie Messapica, where you’ll get endless plates of antipasti, a pasta dish, as much wine as you can drink plus digestivo and probably a dessert thrown in, all for 25EUR.
That's also why it's worth deviating from the major tourist towns like Ostuni and Polignano, and finding smaller, less-touristy ones like Ceglie or Carovigno, where prices can be up to 50% cheaper in restaurants.
Not bringing any cash on my Puglia holiday
Perhaps less important these days, as even Italy is modernising to today’s cashless standards. But much of its economy is built on cash (I couldn't possibly say whether that's for income tax purposes), and for things like parking it’s still quite handy to bring coins; and some notes for tipping.
Don’t bother getting Euros at a travel exchange before you leave, instead just use your debit card at a bancomat when you get to Puglia (make sure you select the option where your own home bank decides the exchange rate; you still use your existing PIN too).
Buying the wrong type of travel adaptor
Our house is laden with standard Europe travel adaptors, which are two pin. But in a major plot twist, you can go to Puglia and find a lack of sockets that these will fit!
Instead, slightly thinner two/three pin sockets are much more common – I’ve heard they’re German. No idea why.
If you do get caught out by this, you can usually find a standard Europe two pin plug in places like the kitchen, where sometimes a kettle is plugged in.
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Not bringing a handheld fan
Have I mentioned it gets really hot in Puglia yet? These handheld fans can be an absolute lifesaver when you're at the beach, at your accommodation, or just out of reach of any air conditioning.
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Not bringing the right cables to plug my phone into the car
It’s definitely worth bringing different types of USB cables for your phone and other devices – both USB to lightning for any older iPhones, and USB-C / USB to USB-C.
You never know what connections you’ll find out there, and it’s handy to have one permanently at your rental or hotel, and one in the car (for Carplay and maps) or on the go.
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Forgetting a power bank
My iPhone is now rather ancient, but as I refuse to replace it until it quite figuratively dies on me, I have to make sure that I can charge it up when I need to.
A decent rechargeable battery pack is really useful here, so that you can get some extra juice at the beach, on a long day out, or en route to the airport so that your phone doesn’t expire when you need to use your boarding pass.
I once nearly ran out of phone battery after arriving into Bari airport, and begging the owner of the cafe next to Bari station to plug my phone in didn't get me anywhere. I lived to tell the tale, though I wish I'd had a power bank with me to avoid the embarrassment.
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Assuming my Puglia accommodation had WiFi
I once turned up to a lovely little apartment in Ostuni only to find that it didn’t have WiFi. That’s actually quite uncommon, but if you do think you will need it, just make sure you check before you book (4G and 5G can also be really patchy in the countryside in Puglia).
On that occasion, I actually had a job interview planned during my stay, so I had to find a café in Ostuni that was actually open at 9.30am and ask to use their WiFi. And I had to politely request that the owner turn the music down whilst I had my interview.
(p.s. I still got the job)
Not buying decent mosquito spray
Mosquitoes will get you when you stay in Puglia – that’s a promise! So unless you want to end up looking like a join-the-dots drawing, you need to be prepared. You can bring some nice powerful spray with you if you have room in your luggage, or get to a pharmacia to buy some when you get there.
You might also bring some antihistamines and bite/sting relief cream too, to help the itchiness.
There’s one thing that can help minimise mosquito bites, and that’s wearing long trousers and long sleeved tops in the evenings, as that’s when they seem to do their worst.
And whilst most windows in accommodation in Puglia will have mosquito guards over them, it’s best not to leave doors or windows open during the day, especially if they don’t have the guards (it helps stop the heat getting in too).
Suggested:
125ml Jungle Spray Maximum Strength multipack (contains Deet)
Incognito Insect Repellent Spray - 3x100ml - Travel-Sized Natural (DEET Free Formula)
Buying expensive wine in the supermarket
My local friends instilled this in me at an early point: wine is so plentiful and cheap to produce in Puglia, that you really don’t need to be buying the 15EUR bottle in the supermercato. You’ll be just as delighted with a bottle that costs 4-5EUR instead (as will your bank account). Here's a rundown of the wine you can expect to find in Puglia.
One great tip is to find your local enoteca, which sells wine direct from the producers locally. You fill up a plastic container (1, 2 or 5L) with wine from a vat, and it only costs around 2EUR per litre.
You might be tempted to buy loads of it because it’s so cheap, but one thing I can say from experience is that you won’t finish it, and you’ll be hungover every day. So stick with smaller amounts!
Also forgetting to weigh my fruit and veg and print a label at the supermarket
This one is so easy to do, because for the most part in UK supermarkets, it's a practice that has fallen by the wayside.
When you choose your fruit and veg at the supermercato, you need to bag them up in a little bag provided nearby, and then head to the nearest scales to print out a label (don't forget to remember the short numerical code on the display tab for that item, as you'll need to put this into the machine when you weigh).
It's not the end of the world if you forget, but you'll get some serious eye rolls from the cashier, who will end up leaving their station to go and print them out for you. And if you're in a big queue, that'll just hold everyone up!
Not buying plenty of bottled water in the supermarket
If you're staying in a town like Ostuni, Lecce, Polignano etc, you should be able to safely drink the water from the tap in your apartment. But if you've rented a villa or other countryside property, you can't drink the tap water here, because the water from your taps comes from a cisterna on the property, and that's filled up via regular water deliveries by lorry - it's not safe to drink, but great for washing dishes, clothes, showers etc.
Because it's often so hot, you'll go through a lot more drinking water than you imagine - I'd allow around 4 litres a day per person.
The great thing is that you can pick up multipacks of bottled water (2L bottles) at the front of the supermarkets, and they'll only cost you around 2EUR per multipack. So buy plenty!
Then, when you run out of the bottled stuff, you can ask your accommodation host where the nearest fontanelle is (see photo above) - these are public water fountains dotted around the countryside and towns, dispensing as much free water as you need.
Stop by one when you're out and about in the car (and add it to your favourites on Google Maps), take them home, stick them in the fridge, and you'll save yourself the hassle of going to the supermarket every day for refills.
It's quite rustic, I admit, but it does add a certain charm to your Puglia experience.
Bringing too many layers of clothing
This is really relevant to June, July, August and September. Evenings tend to be really warm, and most nights you’ll not need more than a pair of shorts or trousers, and light shirt or t-shirt, plus slides or slip-ons. There really is no need to be bringing lots of jumpers, coats, umbrellas, anything bulky – you just won’t need it, and you’ll have spent money on luggage unnecessarily.
Outside of those months, the evenings might be chilly, and day times can be cool too - so you will need some extra layers if that's when you're travelling.
Paying for expensive beach clubs
I love the slightly bohemian beach clubs in Puglia, but it’s not always worth paying top dollar for a lounger, unless you want to treat yourself.
Puglia’s coastline is full of amazing sandy beaches, so it’s much cheaper just to find one for free. Usually there is a van selling refreshments nearby, or access to places for food and drink.
You can combine both experiences somewhere like Lido Bosco Verde where you pay the beach club for parking, and can use their facilities (food, drink, toilets etc), but then just take your towel to the beach next to them.
Forgetting indigestion tablets
If you want to enjoy Puglia’s food and drink, and you are in your 30s or above – you are going to experience the odd moment of regret once you get home after dinner. Nobody in their right mind can avoid eating and drinking a little too much, and trust me, you’ll need a full pack of Rennie or whichever indigestion tablet/mixture you favour.
Bringing electrolytes is a good idea to replace lost salts and fluids…
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Not bringing hangover cures
Harking back to the point earlier about buying wine, it’s highly likely that between aperitivo, local wine, and the heat, you’ll be feeling a bit dehydrated at times. Chuck a load of Panadol or Alka Seltzer in your bag, and some electrolytes or rehydration sachets, and you’ll be really grateful for it.
Following Google Maps through a centro storico and getting stuck in my car
It’s so typical to hear about people unfamiliar with an area to find themselves stuck somewhere because of Google Maps. 'Ha ha, what idiots!'
This however has happened to me a couple of times, where I’ve followed Google route instructions and ended up very nearly wedging the rental car up a narrow street in the historical centre.
All you need to do to avoid this is be wary when following maps – if you look to be heading towards brown signs saying ‘centro storico’ then stop for a moment and get another route!
Thinking that train stations were actually in the towns they are named for
This is covered in my car versus trains blog, but really rather fascinatingly, some train stations in Puglia are a little outside of the town.
For instance, places like Ostuni – where you’ll either need to face the terror of walking up a road with no pavement (sidewalk) up to the town, or wait for a shuttle bus which never runs on schedule. So if you do take a train, just check Google Maps to see how close the train station is to where you’re actually going.
Taxis are few and far between in Puglia, so frankly it’s unlikely you’ll ever take one.
Forgetting to validate my train ticket before getting on the train
This one can catch you off-guard, especially if you're in a hurry, or the train has changed platforms at the last minute.
Once you get your printed ticket from the machine (side note: make sure you get the right ticket for whichever train operator you're taking - either the faster more expensive Frecciarossa, or the publicly-owned Trenitalia which is slower but cheaper), you need to find a little yellow box on the platform and pop your ticket in. That will validate it, and if you don't do this before you board the train, the conductor will probably have something to say about it!
And finally...not leaving enough time to get to the airport on a Sunday evening in July and nearly missing my flight
I still get pangs of anxiety when I think back to this one. It was a Sunday in July 2016, and I'd popped over to Puglia to see friends that week before I started a new job on the Monday morning. As I was living in London at the time, I thought nothing of booking a flight departing Bari airport at 8.30pm, as I could quite easily get back home from Stansted late at night.
What I didn't account for was that in July and August, the major routes around Puglia get really, really busy on Sunday evenings - apparently because Italians themselves are travelling back from their own holidays or long weekends in Puglia.
What should have been an hour's drive turned into 1.5, then 2, then 2.5 hours.
To cut a long story short, I arrived at the airport with less than 15 minutes to departure. Luckily I didn't need to check any bags, and I practically ran through security - I think I knocked a small child over on the way - and sprinted to my gate.
I was in luck, because they were still boarding the aircraft; and I didn't need to put Plan B into action, which was to take the last fligth to Milan, stay the night, and then get the first flight out to London to make it back in time for my new job, starting at 9am the next day.
So please - if you are travelling on a Sunday in July or August, especially if it's in the late afternoon and evening, make sure you leave more than enough time to allow for delays on the motorway.
Get the Essential Puglia Packing List
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Have I missed anything?
Hopefully I won’t have any more to add to this list, but if you’ve experienced any other mistakes on your Puglia holidays, let me know at info@puglia-holidays.com and it can be added to these mistakes to avoid when booking a Puglia holiday!
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Thank you so much ~ Chris
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