Book excerpt: For centuries, Puglia has acted as the bridge to the Mediterranean. To the north, it is crowned by the wild greenery of the Gargano promontory, the Daunian Mountains, and the sweet hills that roll down to the Tavoliere delle Puglie. With its infinite seafront and old city, medieval churches and genuine cuisine, Bari is the metropolitan capital of the region. Romanesque cathedrals line the Adriatic coast. Numerous beach resorts dot the shore as you wind from the Gargano coast to Salento. The water is always crystalline, perfect for a refreshing dip. Further inland, Salento offers little villages of white houses and historical, Baroque-decorated town centers with dry stone walls bordering long bike paths. Explore everything this oasis has to offer with the expert help of National Geographic writers and photographers who have created insider itineraries into off-the-beaten-path destinations and well-known must-sees. Along the way, practical information for where to go, what to do, where to stay, and what to eat make this comprehensive guide the only reference you need to plan a trip to magical Puglia.