Puglia
Plump for Puglia. Italy’s “heel” is home to mediaeval hilltop hamlets, olive groves, a coastline of secluded beaches and trulli-dotted towns, more olive groves, restaurant menus stuffed with local speciality dishes, two national parks, vineyards, even more olive groves. Oh, and Europe’s largest colony of pink flamingos. Round these parts, as at all good Italian get-togethers, food takes centre stage: fresh fish, melons, figs, olive oils and winning wines. Puglia produces almost all of the country’s, in fact Europe’s pasta, too, so don’t leave without a bowl of orecchiette (small ears).