Hotel reservation, Bari, Puglia, Italy, from ahotelinitaly.com

Bari, the second largest city in southern Italy, has a rich cultural and historical past. Under Norman rule, Bari rivalled Venice, both as a maritime centre and as a place of pilgrimage. Largely ignored for years, its fortunes were restored under Mussolini, who built the university.

Located just south of Bari, the three-star Hotel Palazzo d'Erchia is a family-run business set in the historic town of Conversano. With the Adriatic sea just a short journey away, this hotel is ideally situated both for access to the profusion of pretty beaches that line this stretch of coast.

The three-star Masseria Protomastro Hotel, near Bari, is brilliantly located for use as a base from which to explore the region of Puglia, with its diverse architecture, culture and cuisine. Surrounded by fields of crops, Le Murge offers peaceful respite, away from the bustle and heat of the towns.

Located just outside southern Italy's second largest city, Bari, this charming three-star hotel is brilliantly located for easy access to all of the many fascinating places to visit in Puglia. From the old town and port in Bari to the Baroque splendour of Lecce and picturesque trulli in Alberobello.

Hotel Ristorante Colle Del Sole in the picturesque Puglian 'trulli' town of Alberobello. Puglia holiday hotels from ahotelinitaly.com.