Issue link: https://www.balharbourdigital.com/i/1218237
174 BAL HARBOUR What drew you to Puglia? "As a die-hard Italophile, I'm always on the lookout for new regions to explore. I received a last-minute invitation from my dear friend Ali O'Neill, designer of luxury womenswear label Markarian, so I zipped from Tuscany over to the southernmost tip of Italy's heel." What were your favorite discoveries? "We chose to stay further south than most because of Palazzo Daniele, a stunning property from hotelier Gabriele Salini, owner of G-Rough in Rome, and Francesco Petrucci, whose family has owned the Pugliese mansion for five generations. When we could pull ourselves away from our beautiful hotel, we had dinner al fresco at Locanda del Levante, Negronis at Helen Mirren's cocktail bar Farmacia Balboa, and danced the night away at BluBay, a sprawling open-air discoteca." Why do you think this region is currently experiencing a moment? "It has become increasingly challenging to escape the negative effects of tourism, which I realize deserves an eye roll coming from a tourist, but southern Puglia has yet to be overcome by screechy tour groups. It was a delight to bumble through restaurant orders with my thirty words of Italian and not hear a word of English." What makes Puglia a unique destination? "e terrain is breathtaking, the seafood is delicious and the beach clubs are as Italian as it gets. Each day, we found ourselves weaving along coastal roads through olive groves and cacti to pull up in a new charming town for spaghetti ai ricci (with sea urchin) and a swim." What's your Puglian packing strategy? "Despite being fanatical about carry-on only travel, I am by no means a minimalist. I leave anything restrictive or fussy at home and opt for lightweight pieces that can be worn day to night, dressed up with a big pair of earrings and a bold lip. Puglia is on the more casual side, but it's still Italy for goodness' sake, so low-heeled sandals and slip dresses in bold prints are the way to go." Where at Bal Harbour Shops would you pop in prior to a Puglian getaway? "Aquazzura for sandals, with a stop at Bianco Gelato because I'm already on an Italian diet." Any insider tips you picked up? "You'll need a car for day trips, but learn from our mistake and rent the smallest one on the lot. It will save you from crawling out of the sunroof to direct your friend through the narrowest streets you've seen. Speaking of day trips, don't miss lunching and sunning at the charming Lo Scalo, watching cliff jumpers below the bridge at Il Ciolo and swimming at hidden gem Bagno Marino Archi, an off-the-beaten-path beach club that couldn't feel more authentic." Puglia By The Pros Alex Merrell, a globe-trotting DJ and the founder of travel platform TREC (trec.life), on southern Puglia. Alex Merrell in Puglia. PHOTO BY ALEXANDRA O'NEILL; ALEX MERRELL From top: Ponte Ciolo in Gagliano del Capo; spaghetti alle vongole at Bagno Marino Archi; Bagno Marino Archi Beach Club.