Last night we visited the impossibly adorable town of Alberobello known for its unusual districts of trulli, the white-washed conical-roofed houses of the area.

A trullo is a traditional and simple structure seen throughout this part of Puglia. Alberobello was once a town of trulli only. Trulli were built to be dismantled rapidly to avoid paying taxes, as in feudal times taxes were levied on inhabited settlements.

Trulli are whitewashed and their roofs are often decorated with symbols of religious or superstitious significance. The spire decoration was something of a status symbol: it showed the builders’ skill and thus wealth of the owners.

We had a spectacular meal at La Cantina where Lee and Ciro have been dining for 16 years. It’s a family restaurant run by the chef, his wife and two other family members. The food kept coming – my favorite dishes were the fried zucchini, roasted peppers, fresh burrata and mozzarella cheese, pasta dishes and chocolate lava cake. Good enough to lick the plate!