If you’re considering joining me for PTW Puglia: Antiquing Edition, I’d love to set the stage for the kinds of treasures you’ll find as we journey together.

Puglia is very different from Tuscany or Milan, both richer cities, and therefore the antiques you can expect to find will be different. Just as Tuscany’s history of wealth and patronage produced grand villas, elegant furnishings, and decorative arts, Puglia’s agricultural roots shaped a different kind of antique landscape.

The treasures you’ll find here tend to be more humble, but no less interesting. Think weathered pottery, baskets, old tools, olive jars, wine jugs, artwork, religious pieces, vintage kitchen wares, and linens softened by decades of use. These are objects that were part of everyday life. They tell the story of families, farms, churches, and communities that have existed here for generations.

Antiquing in Puglia feels like a treasure hunt.

It would be a mistake to arrive expecting charming antique stores where every item has been beautifully displayed and thoughtfully arranged. While we may encounter a few shops that are more organized than others, that generally isn’t the experience we’re seeking out. The shops we’ll visit are often packed full of inventory. Shelves are crowded. Corners are stacked high. Sometimes you’ll find yourself peering behind one object to see what’s hiding underneath or tucked away in the back.

In many cases, these places feel more like a cross between a consignment store and a thrift shop than what Americans typically picture when they think of an antique store.

And that’s where the fun begins.

Personally, I am always on the lookout for religious pieces. Some of my favourite finds have been santos figures and devotional objects that clearly spent years, if not generations, being cherished in someone’s home. I also get ridiculously excited about textiles. If you love old linens, Puglia can be a wonderful place to hunt. Again and again I’ve been amazed by the quality of what turns up here, often in the most unexpected places.

This will not be luxury shopping. It is not French brocante. It is not a week spent wandering pristine galleries where every object has already been identified, polished, and priced accordingly. The shops we visit are wonderfully imperfect. Some are small and crowded. Others are sprawling and eclectic. A few may require more patience than others.

But that patience is often rewarded. Puglia still offers moments when you spot something special tucked away on a shelf, hidden behind a stack of ordinary objects, and think, “How is this still here?”

The prices are another part of the appeal. While exceptional pieces will always command exceptional prices, many guests are pleasantly surprised by how much farther their antique budget stretches here compared to Tuscany. The region’s antiques tend to be more affordable, which means it’s often possible to bring home pieces that might feel out of reach elsewhere.

Throughout the week, we’ll visit markets, antique shops, and secondhand stores, and nearly every day will include opportunities to hunt for treasures. Some stops will be easier to shop than others. Some will require more digging. Some may produce wonderful finds, while others simply offer the pleasure of the search. That’s part of the adventure.

So if you’re the kind of person who enjoys rolling up your sleeves, looking carefully, and embracing the thrill of discovery, I think you’re going to love antiquing in Puglia. Bring comfortable shoes, leave extra room in your suitcase, and prepare yourself for a week of hunting alongside a group of women who understand exactly why finding a beautiful old thing can make your entire day.

Should you end up purchasing more treasures than will fit into your suitcase, we will be including a visit to a shipping company at the tail end of our week so that you can mail goods home.

* Please note, if you are in the market for large pieces of furniture, we will not be able to coordinate container shipping, although we can recommend a company to you. Additionally clients are required to be aware of their home country’s import procedures if they are planning on shipping or bringing commercial goods home. *