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Puglia is not a destination I would recommend rushing through. The region rewards a slower approach, where a morning drive through olive groves can be as enjoyable as arriving at a famous town, and a long lunch can easily become the centerpiece of the day. What I like most about Puglia is the contrast. There are elegant Baroque cities, tiny villages, historic palazzi, ancient masserie and beautiful coastline, but there is also a simplicity to everyday life here. Olive oil, fresh seafood, handmade pasta, local wines and long meals remain an important part of the experience. For this trip, I would concentrate on Salento, the southern part of Puglia. This is where the landscape becomes particularly distinctive, with the Adriatic on one side, the Ionian Sea on the other and small towns scattered across a countryside defined by olive trees and dry-stone walls. The key is not trying to see everything. Instead, choose a beautiful hotel, rent a car and allow yourself enough time to explore without turning every day into a checklist. Getting to Puglia For Miami travelers, one of the easiest ways to reach Puglia is to fly nonstop from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO). ITA Airways and American Airlines currently offer nonstop service, with ITA listing the flight at approximately 10 hours and 10 minutes. Schedules vary by date, so I would compare both airlines when booking. Rome makes a convenient connection point because you can continue directly to either Brindisi Airport (BDS) or Bari Airport (BRI). If you prefer to visit Rome before heading to Puglia, read our Rome travel guide. For a trip focused on Salento, the southern part of Puglia, I would choose Brindisi. The nonstop flight from Rome Fiumicino takes approximately 1 hour and 10 to 15 minutes, with ITA Airways and Ryanair currently operating the route. Bari is farther north and makes more sense if you are combining Salento with destinations such as Alberobello, Ostuni and the Valle d’Itria. Direct flights from Rome Fiumicino to Bari take approximately 1 hour and 5 to 10 minutes, with ITA Airways, Ryanair and Neos currently offering nonstop service.