This unique countryside is a patchwork of olive trees, vineyards and trulli houses; especially around the places Ceglie Messapica, Cisternino, Martina Franca and Locorotondo.

Italian Max Verstappen
In the Netherlands, we wrote to a number of brokers via the internet and one of us actually received an answer. The lack of an answer to the rest will of course have something to do with the language barrier, we speak no Italiano ... Not yet. The Italian Max Verstappen, Pierdonato, is the only broker who has responded. He speaks perfect English and is willing to take us on a quest. He usually drives ahead for us - one hand on the phone - and then takes the most impossible roads.

Noisy market
On a Monday morning we met at his real estate agency in the heart of Cisternino. The square in front of the office is very busy, the weekly market with vegetables, fruit, nuts and clothing is noisy. We already dream of how we will buy these tasty, local products here in the future.

Renovated to ruin
But we don't come for that now. Today we are going to view trulli, ranging from 'completely renovated' to 'ruin'. Our patience is put to the test at the estate agent's office. The secretary, who does not speak English, explains that Pierdonato is calling. The appointment of 10 a.m. becomes 11 a.m. But once we go on the road, we immediately look at 3 trulli in the morning.

Specific rules
Back at the agency we discover the first hurdle to be taken with the future purchase. The Italian housing market has specific rules and legislation. In Italy, for example, the neighbor has the first right to purchase because of the neighboring country. In the Trullo of our first choice, the neighbor will use this right. That is a disappointment. Fortunately Pierdonato has enough other houses in his portfolio. But we are not going to look at it yet, because it is lunch time and that means: siesta.

Beach pavilions
Many things in Puglia have gone with the modern times, but basically they still stick to their age-old customs. The tourist season, for example, is particularly short. It is now May and really beautiful weather, but the beach pavilions are not concerned with the tourists present. The tourist season in this region runs from June to September and the rest of the year is Puglia for the 4 million inhabitants of Southeast Italy.

Pulignesis aperitivo
Thus the siesta is also maintained. From 1 to 4 p.m. there is nothing to do in Cisternino. Then Nicole and I will have lunch. And that is certainly not a punishment. We like to go to Garibaldi in Martina Franca, with a beautiful view of the Basilica di San Martino. We go for the Pulignese aperitivo. According to our standards, you have already eaten 3 courses, but for socializing we still take a main course. After this extensive meal we have enough energy for part two of the trulli quest.