The Big Gay Podcast from Puglia

In Puglia we embrace a slower pace of life. Il dolce far niente (sweet idleness). It's part of our culture, reflected in all of our daily rituals. We give you our suggestions to leave behind the noise of daily life and experience Puglia in the here and now. And for visitors from the USA who really like to pack a full itinerary, we offer additional tips to slow down and help manage expectations for a more meaningful, local-friendly stay in Southern Italy. We're taking a summer break. See you the other side of summer. We will still be posting on our website and socials, so be sure to follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.  

We meet with US based writer Katerina Ferrara currently exploring Puglia through food, festivals and cultural immersion. Katerina is writing a series of travel guides on Italy, taking readers on a journey with her using festivals as a focus. The 4th book in her series "Ultimate Festival & Travel Guide Puglia" is launched on June 1, 2025. Find out about Katerina's mission on her website katerinaferrara.com. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Take a Chance. Advance to Go! Welcome to Monopoli (the city in Puglia, not the board game). Adjacent to and sometimes overshadowed by its near neighbour Polignano a Mare, Monopoli offers a quieter alternative for lunch or dinner. It has a pretty old town and enjoys a less frenetic pace. The old port with its characteristic light blue and red blue fishing boats and green fishing nets drying under the sun invites you into the beating heart of its centro storico. Its medieval center, characterised by churches and convents, is compact and charming. For details and locations of the beaches, churches and restaurants mentioned in this episode, see our companion Puglia Guys Monopoli City Guide. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your visit to Puglia.

Think of Puglia and you will probably picture Alberobello's trulli - as iconic as Polignano a Mare's Lama Monachile - and just as likely to grace the cover of the latest edition of The Lonely Planet Guide to Puglia. Although they feature across the Itria Valley, it is the concentration of trulli found in Alberobello that makes it unique. Drawing a stream of visitors all year round tourism takes centre stage in Alberobello. Most trulli in the crowded commercialised Monti district are shops; those that are not are restaurants. Unprepared for its crowds and commercialisation, visitors can leave Alberobello feeling underwhelmed. The crowds, souvenir shops, and selfie sticks can distract from the magic. Yet no trip to Puglia would be complete without visiting Puglia's trulli. And it is still possible to discover some of the town's quieter, "secret" spaces. For fuller details, including map locations nd full restaurant details, visit our companion Puglia Guys Alberobello Guide. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

The masseria is one of the defining features of Puglia's landscape.  And, let's get one thing straight: a masseria is not a villa. Where northern Italian villas were retreats for the wealthy, all frescoes and fountains, Puglia's masserie were born of necessity. Masserie (that's one masseria, two masserie) are living records of a region that has always had to defend itself — from pirates, plagues, bandits, and even bureaucracy.  With our resident Bari Puglia Guy, Andrea Visaggio, we explore the history and timeless legacy that is the Puglia Masseria. For more information and recommended masserie to visit, check out our Puglia Guys Masseria Guide.  Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your visit to Puglia.

We visit Polignano a Mare, the place with the iconic beach you've probably seen in every guide book to Puglia. The eating is great, from polpo panini, to gelato (Polignano is known for its gelato) and special coffee. There's even a Polignano version of spaghetti all'assassina, with octopus. But there's more to Polignano than seafood and gelato. There's Domenico Modugno. Everybody knows his most famous song, right? It came 3rd in 1958's Eurovision Song Contest. But it spent five non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, and subsequently became Billboard's number-one single for 1958. In 1959, at the 1st Annual Grammy Awards, Modugno's recording became the first ever Grammy winner for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year. The combined sales of all the versions of the song exceed 18 million copies worldwide, making it one of the all-time most popular Italian songs. We know it as Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu. You know it as Volare (oh-ho)! For more information on the places, restaurants and locations mentioned in this episode visit our Puglia Guys Polignano a Mare city guide. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your visit to Puglia.  

We take a trip out of Puglia to nearby Matera, in the neighbouring region of Basilicata.  According to Keith Jenkins, founder and publisher of Velvet Escape, Matera is "one of the most extraordinary towns I've ever laid my eyes on". He explains, "Italy excels in extraordinary cities - I've visited many of them - but Matera surely belongs in the upper echelons of 'the most extraordinary cities' list". In this guide we suggest a walking tour route and a bus tour. Places to eat, including our favourites, and the remarkable cave dwellings and churches to visit. A UNESCO World Heritage List destination, recognised for being "one of the most outstanding organised urban settlements ever created in the world, a real materpiece of human creative genius and capacity to adapt". Map and links for our walking tour suggestions here: Love Matera | From Caves to Culture, Shame to Pride. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Driving in Puglia is a convenient and practical option for getting around our region, whether you're hopping between towns or heading to the beautiful beaches. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure a smooth driving experience. In this episode we share our observations and driving tips based on our driving experiences in and around the region and the rest of Italy, plus insights on what to watch out for and expect from other (especially Italian) drivers. IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER | Every care has been taken to accurately represent the legal requirements for driving in Italy as also the law and rules of the road at the time of writing. However these may have changed since the original publication so you should not rely on the information contained in this post, which is indicative only. It is your responsibility to ascertain what these are at the date of your travel and to ensure compliance with Italian law and driving requirements as they apply at the date of your travel. Further information, photos, links and routes are included in the Puglia Guys companion website guide: Navigating Puglia | A Practical Guide to Driving. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your visit to Puglia.

Taranto's old town - the borgo antico - is one of our favourite places to visit in Puglia. Much neglected by visitors, like the city itself, Taranto is an antidode to Puglia's favourite tourist hotspots. Packed full of history, with a world class archaeological museum, and with some of the best seafood and seafood restaurants in Puglia, Taranto is raw, gritty and authentic. For full details of the destinations, restaurants and food (with pictures) mentioned in this episode visit our Puglia Guys Taranto guide. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

We preview Holy Week in Puglia, the week leading up to Easter. During Holy Week many towns in Puglia hold elaborate processions and ceremonies to commemorate the Passion and Death of Christ. These rituals are often marked by solemn music, prayers, and the use of symbols and images that evoke feelings of sorrow and mourning. From the Vattienti of Martina Franca and the Pappamusci of Francavilla Fontana to the Procession of Maria Addolorata in Taranto. Whether you are a believer or not, there is something deeply moving about the devotion and passion that is on display during la settimana santa. For more detail and photographs from the events mentioned in this podcast episode, visit our Puglia Guys guide to Easter in Puglia: The Passion and Pain | Aspects of Holy Week in Puglia. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia (including videos in our stories from Holy Week events).

We were asked about the music that we use in our opening and closing podcast credits. It is pizzica music, old folk music from Salento, the southern part of Puglia. Like other tarantelle, legend says that pizzica was a cure for women bitten in the olive groves by the spider, explaining its hypnotic energy. In this episode, accompanied by the pizzica music played by our friends, we explore the sound, the stories and the dance moves of pizzica. For more information on Puglia's pizzica festivals, events and how to take part, check our Puglia Guys Pizzica Guide to Pizzica in Puglia.  Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your visit to Puglia. In this episode we feature our own recording of the pizzica di San Vito, a traditional musical piece, featuring our friends who perform as musicians and singers. Full credits and our video of the recording can be found on our Puglia Guys You Tube channel.  

We are back in Puglia's Valle d'Itria, visiting Martina Franca. Known for its great food and baroque architecture, we walk around the town, discovering its history and taking time to explore the Palazzo Ducale and the Basilica di San Martino. With restaurant recommendations along the way and insider tips, enjoy one of the Valle d'Itria's favourite destinations. Check out our Puglia Guys Martina Franca guide on the PugliaGuys.com website for fuller information and details on the locations vitisited, some more recommendations, and a more detailed guide to Martina's main churches. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Gallipoli has become a hotspot for travellers seeking both history and hedonism. The summer season sees a seismic shift as Gallipoli becomes synonymous with revelry and celebrations extending well beyond the old and new towns. Nearby beaches – especially those in and around Baia Verde – echo with the rhythms of music festivals, vibrant parties, and a diverse crowd.  Our insider tips on when best to visit the old town, where by day fishermen still meet to drink, chat and mend their nets. We recommend some fine seafood restaurants and tell you where we enjoy the best sunset in Salento. Details of the locations on our walking tour of Gallipoli can be found in our companion Puglia Guys Gallipoli city guide. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

We walk you around Otranto, its city beaches and visit geologically stunning and popular nearby beaches along the coast, including the Grotta della Poesia, the Baia dei Turchi, the faraglioni of Sant'Andrea and Torre dell'Orso. Otranto is packed with history. From the famous mosaic floor of its cathedral, the castle of Otranto that inspired the first Gothic novel, and the tragedy of the 1480 massacre of 800 martyrs, whose bones are still on display. Plus those city beaches and where to eat the best seafood in Otranto! Details of the locations of the spots visited, the recommended restaurants and parking for the nearby beaches can be found in our companion Puglia Guys Otranto guide. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Puglia is considered to be Italy's 2nd most visited foodie destination. With Andrea in his home city Bari, Puglia's regional capital, we eat out in the old town. Bari Vecchia is one of Puglia's culinary hubs. We talk about the typical must-eat traditional dishes of Bari, along with our favourite restaurants where we go to eat them.  For detailed information on our favourite Bari restaurants and more recommendations visit the Puglia Guys Eat Bari Guide. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your visit to Puglia.

We visit Ostuni, Puglia's città bianca - the White City. Because we live in Puglia all year round we keep our finger on the pulse. Insider tips and hacks (parking in Ostuni? We have it covered), plus our recommendations on where to eat = where we eat. Eat like a local. Avoid the tourist traps, recommended by one tourist to another, where no locals would go - because the food is just average, and overpriced. We eat better, for less. We explain why Ostuni makes the perfect base for your Puglia vacation, help you plan the perfect Puglia itinerary from a base in Ostuni, and list the Valle d'Itria's best beaches (and tell you where to park). All that plus a hack on saving money on booking accommodation in Ostuni. For links, addresses and detailed information on the places mentioned in this episode, check out our Puglia Guys Ostuni City Guide. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.  

We don't all travel equally. Some travel solo, in couples or groups, with families, and with different expectations and aspirations. That's why we don't think there's a "one size fits all" itinerary for visitors. We take a different approach. Instead of suggesting actual itineraries we break down Puglia into bite size pieces so you can mix and match destinations to plan an itinerary that suits your travel style and circumstances. Whether you're here for a quick getaway or a slow immersive experience. For further information on the destinations with links, check-out our Puglia Guys Guide to Planning the Perfect Puglia Itinerary. Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Spaghetti all'assassina is the iconic pasta dish of Bari, Puglia's regional capital. It's unlike any other pasta dish you might have tried. On his visit to Bari for the TV show Searching for Italy, actor and food writer Stanley Tucci was blown away.  "This goes against everything I know about pasta... Honestly, I've never seen anything like that before… And I've been around, too!” We discover the origins of spaghetti assassina, aka spaghetti bruciati (burnt spaghetti), why there are three official academies to protect its heritage, where to eat the best spaghetti assassina in Bari and how to cook it at home. We include the official accademia assassina recipe plus our own adapted Puglia Guys spaghetti assassina recipe. For more spaghetti assassina resources (including these plus more recipes) visit the Puglia Guys Spaghetti Assassina page.  Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories and reels (including our assassina cooking), photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia.

Our insider travel guide to Lecce, Puglia. What to see and do, and our guide to traditional food, as well as our favourite places to eat. From a pasticciotto and caffe leccese for breakfast, to lunch, aperitivi and dinner. We live in Puglia all year round and provide practical tips on getting around, cultural insights and unique local experiences – from pizzica dancing to wine tastings, cooking classes to road trips.  Follow us on Instagram for frequent video stories, reels, photos, ideas and other information to inspire your stay in Puglia. Fuller details and links referenced in this episode can be found on the Puglia Guys Lecce guide.

Welcome to the rebooted Puglia Podcast by the Puglia Guys, Puglia ambassadors.  In the rebooted Ep1 we give a brief overview of Puglia as Italy's favourite staycation holiday hotspot. And we weigh up the pros and cons of the most popular destinations. For links referred to in the episode and more resources, check out our Puglia Guys Guide to Finding the Best Base for your Vacation in Puglia. Follow us on Instagram @PugliaGuys  

We literally grabbed Regan and Ally off the street for this short episode. The sisters are from the US. Regan is a wheeler. She uses a wheelchair and has been navigating Ostuni while visiting for the Allora film festival. We ask Regan how her visit has been, given the narrow cobbled streets of many of Puglia's old towns. It was a delight to hear that Regan's experience had been very positive and much better than had been anticipated at the other end, before getting here. She also praises the organisers of Ostuni's first Allora International Festival of Cinema Art and Music for their thought in presenting an inclusive and accessible festival. Photo: Torre Guaceto, one of Puglia's accessible beaches.

Food is an integral part of Puglia's identity. Puglia is Italy's biggest producer of olive oil - around 40% of Italian extra virgin olive oil comes from Puglia - and Italy's 2nd largest wine producing area, well known for rich, full bodied reds. Our tradition of la cucina povera (“peasant food”) serves up simple but inventive dishes using seasonal, locally produced, fresh and flavourful ingredients. And we gave the world burrata. Recorded at FoodExp 2022 we speak to Italian food writer and travel consultant Paolo Vizzari, Virginia Newton from Copenhagen's 3 Michelin-starred Geranium, currently the 2nd best restaurant in the world. We find out about Quintessenza, Trani's only Michelin-starred restaurant from Michele Di Ceglie one of the chefs who support Stefano Di Gennaro and we finish off with some blow your mind carbonara from the Carbogang guys who came all the way from Trento in the north of Italy to cook for us - and we are very happy they did. Read more about our visit to RebelExpFood including further links, photographs on our Eat Puglia 2022 podcast episode page.  

As Italy's first ever LGBT+ History Month draws to an end we speak to one of its co-founders and organisers, Alessio Ponzio. Alessio talks about Italy's fascinating queer history. From the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the late 19th century that led to Italy becoming a destination for same sex tourism to the reshaping of men and Italian masculinity in the second half of the 1930s under Mussolini's fascist regime We also consider Puglia's dark history. In 1939 gay men were sent to an internment camp on the beautiful Island of San Domino in the Tremiti Islands, where they suffered harsh conditions. Mussolini unwittingly created Italy's first openly gay community. Find out more about LGBT+ History Month Italia on their website. More information about the podcast episode and links to futher information can be found on our podcast page for this episode.

For the launch of season 3 we're in a safe pair of hands as we ride with Ostuni's top and most satisfying Tuk Tuk tour guide, David 5-Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from Golapa, Ape Calessino Ostuni. We learn some fascinating facts about Puglia's città  bianca. Why the old town is built as it is, what the different color doors mean, and why some of those doors are so small (and it's nothing to do with southern Italians being shorter than average). The episode is recorded live as we go on tour around the old town with our favorite Tuk Tuk driver. We paid for our tour and we also gave David 5-Star a big tip to show our appreciation for looking after us. Be sure to take the tour when you visit Ostuni, it really is educational. Go Golapa and ask for David 5-Star as your guide (be sure to let him know you listened to the podcast).  Golapa Ape Calessino facebook page has detail of their services. Check out our blog for fuller detail on our David 5-Star Tuk Tuk tour experience.  

We connect with leading gay travel blogger Louis LaFata of wolfyy.com (over a slightly dodgy Skype connection) to find out about what inspired him to give up his profession and travel, the frustrations of lockdown and our collaboration with wolfyy, which sees the launch of their gay guide to Puglia as our region is recognised as Italy's top gay summer destination and one of Europe's top 5 gay destinations for LGBT travelers.   Read more about our collaboration.

Undisputed capital of the trulli in the gorgeous Valle d'Itria, Alberobello is one of Puglia's most iconic - and perhaps most visited - destinations. But with tourism front, back, left, right and centre finding authentic Alberobello, the Alberobello that so inspired Pier Paolo Passolini can be hard to find. But it still exists. In our #lockdown guide we inspire and guide you on your visit and with a local eye "stress test" two travel blogger guides suggested to us: Never Ending Voyage and the short (but cute) Short Guide to Alberobello brought to you by the beautifully curated Along Dusty Roads. And after that our companion guide to Alberobello can be found here at the BIG Guide to Alberobello. Safe and happy travels. Our Alberobello Podcast Guide Page.

Benvenuti a Polignano a Mare. Welcome to Polignano a Mare and to our city guide podcast. Our city guide podcasts supplement our online guide found at gaypugliapodcast.com. Each podcast will include some background on some of Puglia's most popular destinations. Maybe a little history, some trivia but most importantly information on how to make the most of each destination. How to get around, what to see and do, where to go to eat - and what to eat. We are an inclusive travel blog and podcast. We might have some information that is of particular relevance to LGBTQ+ travellers, but we all love to eat, drink, visit the beach, sight see and shop. Our recommendations will be of interest to anyone visiting Puglia and the destination covered.

As a Valentine's Day bonus, we speak to wedding planner Viola from Emotions in Puglia about planning a wedding in Puglia. Recorded at Puglia's BTM tourist fair in February 2020. This was recorded for a fuller "Weddings in Puglia" episode, but covid happened and the episode was abandoned...

3,154 votes were cast in our Best of Puglia 2020 survey. We asked our local gay community and visitors who came to Puglia on vacation to tell us their favourite destinations, restaurants, gay beaches, bars and clubs in Puglia, as well as their favourite things to do. David and Scott review the nominees and reveal your best of Puglia 2020. A list of the full results can be found on The Big Gay Podcast from Puglia website.

Greg and Andrea live in northern Italy but spent three weeks travelling all around Puglia at the end of summer 2020. In the second of a two part podcast we pick up with them again in Santa Maria di Leuca, from where they travel up the Ionian coast to Gallipoli and beyond. Find out why they are full of praise for the much overlooked Taranto, and hear them enthuse over their joy of ceramics ("from breathtaking [pieces of art] to the functional", made in Grottaglie.

Greg and Andrea live in northern Italy but spent three weeks travelling all around Puglia. It was Greg's first time in our region, and for Andrea a return visit after 20 years. In the first of a two part podcast they take in the Gargano, Imperial Puglia, Matera (in the neighbouring region of Basilicata), the Valle d'Itria and end up in Santa Maria di Leuca. They are effusive in their praise for Puglia and don't hold back in describing their highlights, from restaurants to places of beauty. Find links to the restaurants and other recommendations from the Big Gay Podcast from Puglia travel guide here.

David and Scott stop off in Lecce for a spot of Christmas atmosphere and pizza (Lecce officially has the best pizza in Puglia), albeit because of Covid19 it had to be delivered. The delicious pizza inspires talk about traditional Christmas dinner here in Puglia and in the UK. For David means 13 starters, 2 first courses and 2 mains before moving on to desert... And, as it's Christmas, the boys finish off with a little Christmas gift for those who managed to make it past the pizza. Buon natale e tanti auguri.

While staying at Lune Saracene at Spiaggia d'Ayala in Campomarino inspired by Scott's last stay in a B&B, David and Scott share some true tales of terror - including a story of demonic possession in Ostuni's Parco della Rimembranza remembered by David when he was just 8 years old...

For the second naked podcast Scott and David head to D'Ayala Beach - Puglia's most popular gay naturist beach. Where it's hot, hot, hot and not just because of the golden Salento sun... For socio-economic reasons so many young men continue to live at home with their mothers well into their 30's here in Puglia. So where do they go for their Grindr hookups? David talks about car sex and Scott asks about the phenomenon of married Italian men having sex with other men. It's not an evolution, rather Italian society is such that many gay men remain in the closet, marry and cruise for sex with men. Strong language and frank discussion.

Scott and David visit the gay section of Torre Guaceto's naturist beach. Secluded and relaxed, it is one of Puglia's most popular gay beaches. Adult content and themes are discussed. See the pictures and supplemental information - including directions how to access the beach - at the Gig Gay Podcast from Puglia Torre Guaceto FAQ.

After the Big Gay Podcast from Puglia's final summer fling at Por do Sol in Gallipoli where we meet Sergio from Italy Gay Travels we head to Porto Salveggio with David to refect on the covid-19 summer that saw us travel from Vieste and Peschici in Gargano at the very north of Puglia, to deepest Salento at the very heel of Italy's boot. Follow us on Instagram or check out our Puglia guide.

We meet with Colombian supervet Dr. Jairo. Currently undertaking research for a second postgraduate doctoral degree at the University of Bari's renowned Department of Veterinary Medicine, he tells us about his love for reptiles and his continuing mission to make us love and understand snakes. And if you want to know the difference between poisonous and venomous reptiles, and whether your chances of survival are better if a crocodile or alligator attacks you, listen in. For the record, we do have snakes here in Puglia which Jairo explains are hard to find. But you certainly won't find encounter any crocodiles or alligators in the wild.

Before the Covid-19 lockdown we travelled to Reims in France, the champagne region, to take part in an Erasmus Plus programme. We took some prosecco with us to see whether people could tell the difference between the prosecco and champagne. Back in Italy we ran the same test with Italians. In this the first part of 2 we are in Puglia for the Italian end of the test. In part 2 we will go back in time to February and switch location to Reims for the original taste test. We should say, we appreciate that describing champagne as "French" is unnecessary. Champagne only comes from France and is only champagne if it comes from the champagne region ...

We visited Vieste and Peschici in the Gargano. What a beautiful place to be. OK, it's not really a day trip from Ostuni, but the beaches and the entire area are stunning. David had to decide whom to send our first postcard from Puglia to: Sir Ian McKellen, Tom Daley or Dame Judi Dench. Who did he choose ...?

David is back. We talk about driving in Puglia, dispelling the stereotypes of Italian drivers. Which is not to say that Italian drivers are without bad driving habits ... look out for roundabouts, and overtaking. Then there are the challenges of parking (first find a space then try and fit into it). Look out also for ZTL restricted traffic zones. Drive into one of them and you can look forward to a €180 fine dropping through your letterbox 8 months later.

We visit Roberto in Bergamo, the 4th largest city in Lombardy and one of its most beautiful, to find out how he is spending his time in lockdown.

Our Easter soundscape for 2020 starts with the morning chorus of birds recorded here in Puglia as the sun rises. A celebration of spring and the shape of things to come, as the day passes and the sun sets behind the olive grove and another day in the heel of Italy's boot ...

As the covid-19 coronavirus goes global so do we. Our first conversation is with Alp in Istanbul before heading across the border to Greece where Fo is in Serres, Vicky in Thessaloniki and Amalia and her brother Hercules and sister Angela are in Egio, near Patras. We ask them how their countries are dealing with the current crisis, with particular reference to societal and economic challenges, and the day to day impact on their lives. We compare and contrast the situation in Italy and the UK. Recordings were made live over the internet on Sunday 15 March 2020.

As news leaks that a quarter of Italy's population are to be put into quarantine, Puglia's President Michele Emiliano issued a dramatic appeal urging those trying to escape the quarantine zone, “Don't come to Puglia, go back.” He urges “Get off at the first train station, don't take planes to Bari and Brindisi, go back by car, get off the bus at the next stop,” he wrote, mostly addressing people from the region who live in the north. “Do not bring the Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia epidemic to your Puglia. You are carrying the virus into the lungs of your brothers and sisters, your grandparents, uncles, cousins and parents.” With our guest Guiseppe we consider the impact of covid-19 on  day-to-day life in Italy, Europe's worst hit country, and how it affects life in Puglia - currently outside the quarantine zone. This episode was recorded on 8 March 2020, the day that Italian Prime Minister Guiseppe Conte announced the quarantine.

In this mini-episode we speak to Antonio Nicoletti the Direttore Generale of Basilicata's tourist board, the Agenzia di Promozione Territoriale Basilicata. Antonio explains that there's no rest for Matera. After a full and splendid year as European Capital of Culture in 2019 Matera is preparing for another surge in tourism in 2020 after the release of "No Time to Die" the 25th James Bond movie this April. Antonio tells us why Basilicata has so much more to offer than the sass of the Sassi. So sit back and listen as Antonio guides us through four seasons in Basilicata - "le quattro stagioni in Basilicata". To find out more about beautiful Basilicatta visit their website at www.basilicataturistica.it

Bond is back! We preview "No Time to Die" filmed in Puglia and in neighbouring Matera. With guest Gianluca, one of the organisers of the 2020 Salento Rainbow Film Festival we talk films showing off Puglia at its best and preview the 2020 Festival, now in its 6th year.

When you think of Italian men, you might well think dark and hairy. But the modern Italian man prefers to "manscape", waxing all over their body, from their chest arms and legs... and even more intimate bits. Scott thinks that for the sake of the podcast it's time to go the full "Italian", but ultimately decides that for his first waxing, maybe less is more. For this episode he is joined once again by @daviditalia92 who isn't afraid of a good waxing all over... and he means all over. Including his most tender parts. So, how will Scott fair? More pain than pleasure? Listen to find out....  

We take a detour from Puglia and our usual focus on LGBT+ life and culture when Scott represents Italy on a 10-day Erasmus+ course held in Reims, France...just north of Paris, where champagne comes from... If you don't know about Erasmus+, Jus Gentium and the amazing learning and cultural (=the big party) experience that Erasmus+ provides, listen to the podcast and be sure to check out our post about it on the RicchiToni website hosted by the podcast.

We meet Fabrizio in his adopted town, Grottaglie, famous for its ceramics. We learn about the ethos of the boutique/bar business that he runs and consider the benefits of being able to be your authentic self and the internal discrimination that exists within the gay community. Fabrizio is the proprietor of FCruciani, via Armando Diaz 50, Grottaglie. Find him on Instagram @cruciani.fabrizio

We visit Torre Guaceto, one of Puglia's most popular beaches, and one of its best known gay and nudist beaches. We speak to some volunteers from WWF working at the nature reserve and cleaning up the beach. DavidItalia92 is back to tell us how the local gays access the gay beach - which is much easier than the 50 minute plus walk described on other LGBT travel guides - and to tell us a little bit more about what to expect...

We are in Matera, European capital of culture 2019, for the first ever Matera Pride. We take the chance to compare it with our experiences of Rome Pride, Bari Pride and Taranto Pride. Michele takes the test and we find out whether he is more a prosecco or peroni boy, with a preference for inside or outside...