{"id":16731,"date":"2021-12-02T08:16:21","date_gmt":"2021-12-02T07:16:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/everydayplantpower.com\/?p=16731"},"modified":"2021-12-02T08:16:23","modified_gmt":"2021-12-02T07:16:23","slug":"an-inspirational-trip-to-puglia-italy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/everydayplantpower.com\/nl\/2021\/12\/02\/an-inspirational-trip-to-puglia-italy\/","title":{"rendered":"An inspirational trip to Puglia, Italy!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Trullo for sale<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It has been over a week since I returned home from my mini-break in Puglia, Italy so it\u2019s about time I tell you all about it! Why I went there, with whom, our activities but most of all about the food I enjoyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So sit back, relax and enjoy this (long) read \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inspirational trip<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For the past decade I have been traveling to Israel regularly. Sometimes once a year, sometimes even twice, and always on my own. To take a well-deserved break from being a wife and a mom. You can call it ‘me-time’. Visiting my best friend and other people I love, in a place I also call home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For obvious reasons those visits came to a hold almost two years ago (as did our culinaire reizen<\/a> ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two years without a break definitely left its traces on me. I felt trapped, overwhelmed and worn out a little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then all of the sudden I received this newsletter from Esther*. An invite to join her on an \u2018inspirational trip\u2019 to Puglia. To explore the possibility to buy a trullo, to pick her brain about writing a book or simply to get away and enjoy the Italian culture, sun and food. A great offer which fitted me like a glove! I only needed to make sure that it was doable as a vegan. Her answer was;\u201d It might be a bit of a challenge, but definitely one I am willing to take on!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I took the plunge, booked a flight and was added to a WhatsApp group with five complete strangers who took the same plunge I did. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a month of getting to know each other a bit on WhatsApp, which provided a lot of pre-fun, we finally got to meet in person at the airport. A mix of excitement and apprehension was in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traditional Trullo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We were picked up at Bari airport for an 1,5 hour drive south. On the way we stopped to have lunch in a cute little place called Polignano a Mare with a stunning coastline! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Polignano a Mare<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An absolutely delicious lunch I might add. A table filled with vegetables, roasted rosemary potatoes, tomatoes, pasta and the local dish fava e cicoria. Mashed fava beans (sort of like humus) with garlic, extra virgin olive oil served with chicory. Amazing flavors which took away the last bit of anxiety I had left about vegan restaurant options in the South of Italy, which proved to be no problem whatsoever during the whole journey!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fava e cicoria<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With our tummy\u2019s filled we continued our transfer to our accommodation: a few old trulli in an enchanting setting, including a beautiful, yet freezing cold pool. The owner has done a terrific job of restoring these remarkable buildings which are so typical for this region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of this stands on grounds filled with veggie patches, various citrus trees (oranges, grapefruits, lemons), pomegranates, strawberry trees, peppers, fresh Italian herbs and of course olive trees. The whole setting made me feel a little bit like being in Israel, or at least as close I can get at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After settling in we headed to the nearest village Ceglie Messapica for drinks and dinner. A little town with a clock tower in the central square which to me resembled a little bit the famous clock tower in Jaffo, Israel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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During drinks I had an interesting conversation with one of my fellow travelers, the only male in the group. As it turned out he has a Jewish background. That gave us lots to talk about and again that sort of gave me the feeling of being close to Israel. Joining this trip was already proving to be one of the best decisions I had made in a long time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pasta with the locals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Esther had set up a program of activities for the next couple of days. A few of us wanted to explore purchasing a trullo or apartment with the local realtor. One of us wanted to \u2018bless\u2019 his adopted olive tree by nailing a mezuza** onto it. We were allowed to witness the pressing of the olives into oil (in the midst of peak season). <\/p>\n\n\n\n