Mei Chen

Chiesa Sant'Antonio · Alberobello, Italy

The Chiesa di Sant'Antonio da Padova completely embraces its surroundings by mirroring the iconic, conical-roofed limestone architecture of Alberobello itself. It is a wonderful blend of spiritual sanctuary and folk art. The exterior feels playfully majestic with its massive trullo-style domes and conical bell tower. The raw stone arches, soft lighting, and quiet alcoves offer a lovely, peaceful space to catch your breath and reflect away from the busy souvenir shops down the hill.

Mei ChenJun 22

Alberobello · Alberobello, Italy

Walking into Alberobello feels less like visiting a town and more like stepping onto the pages of a whimsical storybook. The city is world-famous for its trulli. The unique, conical-roofed limestone huts that crowd the hillsides like small stone mushrooms. The vibe here is entirely unique, especially when you step away from the main souvenir strips and simply wander through the quieter residential lanes. The contrast of the blindingly white walls against the gray stone tiles and the vibrant bursts of purple bougainvillea is absolutely mesmerizing. It is a place built for slow exploration, where you can spend hours just looking up at the mysterious symbols painted on the roofs, ducking into local craft shops, or sitting at a terrace with a glass of local wine.

Mei ChenJun 22

Basilica minore dei Santi Cosma e Damiano · Alberobello, Italy

If you need a breath of fresh air from the dense, touristy maze of Alberobello’s trulli districts, a slow wander up to this grand basilica is the perfect remedy. It stands out like a beautiful neoclassical anchor on the town's northern edge, its two towering bell towers slicing elegantly into the Puglia sky. The vibe here is completely refreshing; the exterior feels grand and stately, yet the moment you walk through the doors, a quiet, spartan calm takes over. It is a wonderful space to sit back in a pew, admire the striking modern paintings alongside the 18th-century wooden statues, and marvel at how such a majestic monument casually blends into the slower, daily rhythm of the local neighborhood.

Mei ChenJun 22

Arco Scoppa · Ostuni, Italy

Spanning the narrow gap between the Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace, this beautiful stone archway feels like the perfect final frame for your walk up the hill. The Arco di dello Scoppa is impossibly elegant, looking less like a standard bridge and more like a theatrical loggia transplanted straight from Venice. It adds a wonderful layer of architectural drama to the quiet cathedral square. It is the kind of spot that forces you to stop, look up, and appreciate how seamlessly the historic builders connected the town's most important buildings. Standing underneath it, you get a beautiful breeze and a perfectly framed view of the whitewashed alleys below, making it an absolute highlight of a slow exploration through the old town.

Mei ChenJun 22

Guglia di Sant'Oronzo · Ostuni, Italy

Standing tall right in the middle of Piazza della Libertà, this ornate spire is the kind of landmark that makes you want to pull up a cafe chair and just stare for a while. The Guglia di Sant'Oronzo serves as the perfect centerpiece for Ostuni's main square, bridging the gap between the town's bustling daily life and its deep history. Decorated in rich, elaborate Baroque style, it stands out beautifully against the simpler neoclassical lines of the nearby town hall. It is a fantastic visual anchor for the city; you will find yourself passing it multiple times a day, watching how the changing sunlight catches the detailed carvings of Saint Oronzo at the very top.

Mei ChenJun 22

Ostuni · Ostuni, Italy

Ostuni is the kind of place that invites you to put away your map and simply get lost. Known as the "White City," its maze of blindingly white alleys, steep stone staircases, and hidden courtyards feels like walking through a living postcard. The vibe here is wonderfully laid-back; one minute you are sharing a quiet alley with a sleeping cat, and the next you emerge onto a vibrant terrace overlooking miles of olive groves stretching out to the blue Adriatic Sea. It is a town built for slow wandering, where every wrong turn leads to a charming cafe, a local boutique, or a stunning viewpoint. Whether you are sipping an espresso in a sun-drenched piazza or watching the evening light turn the white stone walls into soft shades of pink and gold, Ostuni completely captures the effortless magic of Puglia.

Mei ChenJun 22

Concattedrale Santa Maria Assunta · Ostuni, Italy

Wandering up through the winding, whitewashed alleys of Ostuni naturally leads you to this stunning cathedral, and it is absolutely worth the climb. The vibe here is completely captivating, starting with the unique, wavy late-Gothic facade that looks different from almost any other church in the region. It feels less like a rigid museum and more like a living piece of history that perfectly crowns the White City. Take a moment to just sit in the nave, enjoy the quiet breeze coming through the doors, and appreciate the incredible craftsmanship.

Mei ChenJun 22

Chiesa San Francesco di Assisi · Ostuni, Italy

Stepping out of the bright, bustling energy of Piazza della Libertà and into this church feels like discovering a hidden pocket of calm. It is the perfect spot to slow your pace, escape the Puglia sun, and just wander. The blend of history here is fascinating, you can really feel how the building evolved from its old medieval roots into the beautiful Baroque details and the newer facade that sits so naturally next to the town hall.

Mei ChenJun 22

Chiesa di San Salvatore · Monopoli, Italy

Tucked away along the ancient city walls and overlooking the sea, the Chiesa di San Salvatore (Church of San Salvatore) is a small but captivating piece of Monopoli's history. After being closed for 36 years, the church was lovingly restored by a local youth tourism center and reopened to the public. Today, it no longer functions as a regular parish but serves as a vibrant cultural space, frequently hosting exhibitions, concerts, and conferences

Mei ChenJun 11

Porto antico · Monopoli, Italy

The Porto Antico of Monopoli is more than just a harbor. It is the vibrant, beating heart of this charming Puglian coastal town, a place where centuries of maritime tradition come alive. This picturesque cove, nestled against the historic center, is instantly recognizable by its fleet of fishing boats with the imposing Castello Carlo V guarding its entrance and the historic buildings of the old town rising around it, the Porto Antico offers stunning views and a tangible connection to Monopoli's rich past.

Mei ChenJun 11

Castello di Carlo V · Monopoli, Italy

The Castello Carlo V (Castle of Charles V) is a formidable 16th-century fortress that stands as a powerful symbol of Monopoli's rich history and strategic importance. Castello Carlo V is now repurposed as a vibrant cultural venue, hosting exhibitions, conferences, and artistic events, allowing visitors to explore its storied past and impressive structure.

Mei ChenJun 11

Basilica Cattedrale Maria Santissima della Madia · Monopoli, Italy

Nestled in the heart of Monopoli's historic center, the Basilica Cattedrale Maria Santissima della Madia stands as a breathtaking testament to Apulian Baroque architecture and local devotion The cathedral's relatively understated exterior harmoniously blends with the narrow, sun-drenched streets of the old town.

Mei ChenJun 11

Porto antico · Monopoli, Italy

Recommendation to indulge in a boat trip with Tour Costieri for those making a trip to Monopoli. My partner and I really enjoyed the trip out at sea with the cool sea breeze blowing on your face and through your hairs and at the same time see another perspective of Monopoli from the surrounding waters.

Mei ChenJun 11

Castello di Carlo V · Lecce, Italy

Castello Carlo V is a huge, sprawling fortress right in the heart of the city that reminds you that Lecce wasn't always just about pretty statues and fancy stone carvings. The atmosphere here is really cool and open. Walking through the giant stone walls, you can almost imagine the soldiers who used to patrol the battlements. It’s not a dusty, closed-off relic; it’s actually a really active part of the city. They hold all sorts of art shows and cultural events in the courtyards, which makes the contrast between the rough, ancient military architecture and the modern creativity inside super interesting.

Mei ChenMay 24

Chiesa di Sant'Irene dei Teatini · Lecce, Italy

If you’ve been walking around Lecce, you’ve likely seen the Church of Sant'Irene without even realizing it. Tucked away right near the busy shopping streets, it’s often overlooked in favour of the nearby Duomo or the Amphitheater.

Mei ChenMay 24

Chiesa di Santa Maria della Grazia · Lecce, Italy

While the nearby Piazza Sant'Oronzo grabs most of the attention, this little church is a total delight. It’s got that quintessential Leccese charm—elegant, incredibly detailed, and built from that warm, honey-colored limestone that makes the whole city feel like it’s constantly basking in golden hour.

Mei ChenMay 24

Piazza Duomo · Lecce, Italy

Stepping into this square is a totally "wow" moment. It’s not your typical wide & open Italian plaza but more of a closed off, elegant courtyard surrounded by some of the most impressive Baroque architecture you’ll ever see. The vibe here is surprisingly intimate and calm, especially considering how much history is packed into these few square meters. With the Cathedral, the bell tower, and the Archbishop’s Palace all wrapped around you in that warm, glowing Lecce stone, it feels like the whole city is giving you a giant, golden hug. It’s the perfect place to just wander, look up at all the wild stone carvings, and pretend for a second that you’re living in a different century.

Mei ChenMay 24

Lecce Cathedral · Lecce, Italy

When you step into the Piazza del Duomo, you’ll immediately see why the Cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta and Saint Orontius (the Duomo di Lecce) is the city's pride and joy. Unlike a lot of cathedrals that have one main, flashy entrance, this one has a secondary facade that’s arguably just as impressive, which makes the whole square feel like an exclusive outdoor theater designed just for you. The vibe here is more of a dazzling celebration of art but it also feels like a space where the city’s heart really beats.

Mei ChenMay 24

Palazzo Arcivescovile · Lecce, Italy

If you’re hanging out in the beautiful Piazza del Duomo in Lecce, it’s impossible to miss the Palazzo Arcivescovile (the Archbishop's Palace). While the stunning Cathedral usually steals the show, this palace is the perfect, sophisticated backdrop that ties the whole square together. The vibe here is incredibly grand but strangely peaceful. Because the square is somewhat enclosed, there’s a sense of quiet majesty about the whole thing. It’s an amazing example of the late Baroque style, and it just feels like you’ve stepped into a private, centuries-old courtyard. It’s not a place you visit for a "tour" in the traditional sense, but it’s definitely a place you stand in front of to just breathe in that unique Leccese atmosphere.

Mei ChenMay 24

Teatro Apollo · Lecce, Italy

If you want to experience something truly elegant, you need to check out the Teatro Apollo. It’s one of the city's most beloved historical theaters, and honestly, it’s just stunning. After being closed for quite a while, it was beautifully restored, and now it’s the place to be if you want to soak up some of that classic, sophisticated Italian culture. The vibe here is pure old-school grandeur. It’s got that lush, velvet-and-gold aesthetic that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a scene from a period drama. Even if you aren't catching a show, just seeing the facade and the surrounding area gives you a great sense of Lecce’s commitment to preserving its artistic heritage.

Mei ChenMay 24