Trulli of Alberobello, in Puglia
The successes of Anna Dello Russo, creative director of Vgue Japan, are almost impossible to list. The last (or one of the last) is the creation of frisellanna , the new "place to be" that has just opened in Cisternino under the motto "Think globally, act locally. FrisellAnna is a meeting place where you can enjoy a frisella pugliese (a kind of traditional toasted bread from Puglia) with a good glass of wine, in the courtyard of the historic center of Cisternino , in front of the Porta del Purgatorio of the Chiesa Madre. A magical place that speaks of an ecological, sustainable and simple lifestyle.
This interview is part of "The World Made Local" , a global project of Condé Nast Traveler in the seven international editions , which gives voice to 100 people in 100 countries to discover why their own territory should be your next destination.
Think about where you live. What makes this place unique?
I was born on Bari , I have lived all over the world, but today I moved to Cisternino, in the Itria Valley , because it is a magical and spiritual place. It is an enchanted valley, a temple of rural beauties, such as the famous trulli, old agricultural buildings now transformed into homes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can live your “simple life”: that is why an increasingly international public has chosen it as a place of retirement.
Is there a smell, taste or color that instantly reminds you of the city?
the green of the basil , the red of the tomatoes and the white of the lime from the farms and trulli. The flavors, smells and colors contained in the Italian flag.
If a friend was visiting Puglia and only had 24 hours there, what advice would you give?
Turn off your phone, slow down and listen to the sound of cicadas and the wind. To sleep, rent a trullo (the old rural constructions typical of Apulia) or go to Borgo Egnazia Y Cococaro Tower . To eat, I recommend doing it in cistern , a breakfast on the terrace with views of the bar History (Signora Anna will welcome you with open arms). Then you have to make a stop at frisellanna for an aperitif: try the frisella with tomato, basil, oregano and oil. For dinner, the address is Osteria Bell'Italia , a restaurant in the historic center, run by Luano and Erica for 30 years. Try the orecchiette and broad beans with chicory. Last but not least, visit Lecce , an open-air museum and go shopping in Ostuni (the "white city"), where you will find antique shops to buy sacred art, ceramics, handmade sandals and, of course, the taralli (the typical donut-shaped bread snacks of Puglia).
Why should we travel to Puglia (when we can)?
To enjoy a meditative holiday, away from the spotlight and with slower rhythms: the Itria Valley It is a natural therapy to end stress. Here you can rent a trullo with a catering service and the cooks come to prepare the panzerotti (fried empanadas with tomato and mozzarella) at home. Is there anything better than relaxation, good food, open spaces and silence?
When you're away, what do you miss most about Italy?
The light. Here it is different: the olive leaves seem silver, the green is fluorescent, the blue of the sky is intense, dotted with white cotton clouds.