The Puglia Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

LEGACY EPISODE. For reboot start at season 2 WELCOME TO PUGLIA.

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.

LEGACY EPISODE. For reboot start at season 2 WELCOME TO PUGLIA.

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.

LEGACY EPISODE. For reboot start at season 2 WELCOME TO PUGLIA.

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.

LEGACY EPISODE. For reboot start at season 2 WELCOME TO PUGLIA.

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...

LEGACY EPISODE. For reboot start at season 2 WELCOME TO PUGLIA.

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.

LEGACY EPISODE. For reboot start at season 2 WELCOME TO PUGLIA.

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.

LEGACY EPISODE. For reboot start at season 2 WELCOME TO PUGLIA.

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.

LEGACY EPISODE. For reboot start at season 2 WELCOME TO PUGLIA.

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.