A visit to Conversano

Conversano doesn't seem to be documented much, which is surprising because it's a really lovely old town. Parking is a bit tricky, but you can usually find a space in the residential part of town as you drive in from Castellana. As you walk up to the main piazza (Piazza Castello) you see the beautiful old Castello di Conversano, which was built before the Norman's arrived and has since been restored. Although most of the castle is now private property, there's a municipal art gallery that's open to the public which is worth a visit.

There are lots of lovely cafes and restaurants, generally the nice little tavernas and osteria are in the side streets. But even since last year we noticed an increase in 'American' type restaurants offering burgers and hot dogs. So have a good look at the menus and pick carefully because there really are some delicious, traditional places to dine. Enjoy a nice pre-dinner drink before you eat - we recommend Mojitos in Bar Raf! 

Bar Raf, 15 Piazza Castello, Conversano.

In the summer there are many events involving lots of food stalls and entertainment. Have a wander around beyond the piazza, the side streets are beautiful and there are loads of things to look at, including information about the history.

And if you're around on 19 March you could join in with I Falo di San Guiseppe - Father's Day in Italy! Bonfires are lit in most of the towns of Puglia - a real get-together for local communities.  For more information on events please visit: bit.ly/1z3quRk

Trullo Carlotta is lovely family-owned villa in Castellana Grotte, Puglia. To find out more about Trullo Carlotta including key info, features and facilities and prices please visit our website www.trullocarlotta.com.

For all holiday enquiries, contact Caroline by email: trullocarlotta@gmail.com or phone: +441423 871741.

Olives at the trullo - by Paul

Trullo Carlotta is surrounded by beautiful olive groves, but we're also lucky enough to have some on our own land. So most years we ask our gardener Roberto to harvest our olives.

This involves placing nets under the trees from September to December to collect the falling olives, which are then put into baskets and sent to the local cooperative olive press.  Most farmers from the Castellana area are members of the cooperative which also presses grapes for the local wines too.  

Our baskets are identified as ours so we know the olive oil we get back is from our own garden. Roberto collects this and leaves in the Trulli for us. We have enough olives to produce about six 5 litre tins each year!

The olives from Castellana have their own distinctive flavour which connoisseurs can identify from the area.  We support slow tourism and believe that people should be able to enjoy real Italian culture without effecting the locals and the land. So being able to taste our own olives, harvested by a local gardener, part of a cooperative, is something that we feel proud about. It's been great to share with friends and family!

Love the idea of this? Terra Adopt have set up a new initiative which supports struggling farmers under threat from land developers in Italy. You can adopt your own olive tree and be sent the oil made from its very own olives! What a great gift idea. Check out their website for more information: http://terraadopt.com/.

Trullo Carlotta is lovely family-owned villa in Castellana Grotte, Puglia. To find out more about Trullo Carlotta including key info, features and facilities and prices please visit our website www.trullocarlotta.com.

For all holiday enquiries, contact Caroline by email: trullocarlotta@gmail.com or phone: +441423 871741.