Alberobello

Alberobello is in fact an example of a medieval tax dodge. The king of Naples set a tithe to be payed for new settlements, so the local nobleman Gian Girolamo required his tenants to use a dry stone wall technique without mortar. These houses were classified as temporary shelters and therefore the payment could be avoided. The resulting clusters of circular cone topped trulli are super cute. There is even a trullo sovrano with two stories built for a local priest. Many have now been converted into shops, restaurants and B&B's.
In the center of town there is a small trullo bar called the Belvedere from the terrace you can take excellent photos of the roofs of the trulli, however while you are there pop in for a coffee and a chat with the owner.

There is no doubt that the main attraction of Alberobello are the "Trullis". These are typical houses featuring white conical concentric rings, formed by dry limestone. You can also visit the Basilica dei Santi Medici Cosma e Damiano (more interesting outside than inside) and the House of Amore.

Photo taken last summer during my vacation in Italy where we visited this town where all the houses have the same format. Charming village.

It's in Puglia, about 466km (around 6 hours) south of Rome and about 60km (1hr.)from Bari. You can leave your car at the entrance to the town and explore the town on foot in one day. The best and most famous part of this town are the small homes, all circular, with cone-shaped roofs and painted white. Some date back centuries and they give the town a fairytale vibe.

The prices, although they have gone up in recent years, are still well below the standard in most Italian tourist areas. The locals are friendly and open and there are lots of stores that have products typical of the area (olive oil, olive wood handicrafts, liqueurs, and almond products).

It's an incredible town and there is tons to see...even the lonliest corner has hundreds of years of history!