Book excerpt: Italy is the top tourist destination in Europe. But while the pleasures of Tuscany, Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome are well known and well documented, Puglia remains relatively undiscovered. Venturing in Italy collects 30 true stories that explore every aspect of this fascinating region. The book’s 19 writers, including Linda Watanabe McFerrin, Joanna Biggar, and Laurie King, find stories everywhere they look, greatly helped by Puglia's rich history: everything from Neolithic cave paintings to ancient Greek cities and temples, from houses built in caves to medieval castles and fortresses. Seen here, Puglia is vibrantly alive with unique local wines and cuisine, thermal spas in Santa Ceasaria, and mussel farming in Taranto. Maps and sketches show Puglia and the surrounding areas at their most enchanting.