Alberobello, Italy

ALBEROBELLO is known for its traditional trulli buildings. Inevitably, a rampant tourist industry has grown up around the cute conical stone huts, and the proprietors of trulli given over to displays of woolly shawls, liqueurs and other souvenirs practically drag in passers-by and don't let them go until they've bought something.

If you want to complete the trulli experience by staying in one, check in at B&B Pietradimora (Tel:0804.324.370, Web: www.pietradimora.it ; Price: € 301 and over), a beautifully restored set of trulli on Via Monte San Marco 28. Breakfast is served on a panoramic terrace. Another central choice is the spick-and-span Lanzillotta at Piazza Ferdinando IV 33 (Tel:0804.321.511, Web: www.hotellanzillotta.it ; Price: € 51-75). Trullidea rents basic trulli in town and in the countryside for short and long-term stays (Tel:0804.323.860, Web: www.trullidea.it ; Price: € 76-100). They can also arrange cooking courses and excursions.