No one comes to central Puglia in search of grandiose cathedrals, nor expects to find troves of precious art or opulent concert halls. Valle d’Itria, the Puglian region located right about where the heel begins, is instead a timeless land punctuated by massive olive trees, endless stone walls, and rolling hills.

Known for its famed trulli, those whimsical cone-shaped buildings that appear transported straight from a fairy tale, the region has quietly found its place as a tourist destination perhaps later than the rest of Italy. And for this, the magic is perchance even more magical – something the rich, red soil has known forever: there’s something special about this place and her inhabitants.