A Magical Day Trip to the Mushroom Village in Southern Italy

Morning: Journey Through the Mushroom Forest Alberobello, a UNESCO-certified "Mushroom Village," is actually the masterpiece of tax-evading farmers from the 15th century! At that time, the Kingdom of Naples levied taxes on houses, so the ingenious people of Puglia used limestone to build conical stone houses (Trulli) – without mortar, they could be dismantled into a pile of stones at any time to pretend to be "unfinished." Today, more than 1,500 fairytale-like stone houses are squeezed into the historic center, like a group of mushroom elves wearing gray pointed hats. Must-see spots: 1. Rione Monti District (the main battlefield of the mushroom forest): Climb the slope of Via Monte Pertuso to take a panoramic view of the continuous Trulli group. The light is the softest at sunrise. 2. Trullo Sovrano (the only two-story mushroom in the village): Tickets are €1.5. The rooftop terrace is an excellent location to peek at the neighbor's "totem password" – the mysterious symbols on the top of the roof (crosses, doves, moons, etc.) are actually the farmers' belief amulets! Noon: Eat a "Mushroom Elf Lunch" Venture into a Trullo-style restaurant (such as Il Poeta Contadino) and order the must-try Orecchiette (cat ear pasta) with turnip leaves. The "poor man's meal" in the Puglia region is now a star dish. For dessert, have a serving of almond panna cotta (Latte di mandorla), paired with a glass of local Primitivo red wine. When slightly tipsy, the stone house group looks even more like frosting on a chocolate cake. Afternoon: Become a Mushroom by Burrowing into a Cave 1. Church of Saint Anthony: The only church built with Trulli, the interior is like a Hobbit cave. 2. Secret photo spot: Turn into the alley in the Rione Aia Piccola district. There are few people and white walls, and the Trulli with red peppers hanging on the door frames are super photogenic. 3. Cave hotel experience: Even if you don't stay, you should sneak into Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita (€500+/night) for a visit – a hotel converted from a medieval cave, with a bathtub embedded in the rock wall. You have to wear a sleeping cap to prevent dust from falling while sleeping. Transportation From Bari: Take the train (Ferrovie Sud Est line) to Alberobello Station, but the number of trains is as small as a medieval post station. If you are driving, navigate to Parking Piazza del Popolo. Take Great Photos at Dusk! After 18:00, the stone house group is dyed honey-colored. Find a Trulli with a "Casa d’Amore" sign – this is the first "legally taxed house" in the village in 1797, and it has now been converted into a small shop selling limoncello. Have a drink to pay tribute to the tax-evading Italian pioneers! Useful tips: Toilet password: You can only use the restaurant's if you spend money. The public toilet is in Piazza Ferdinando IV. Anti-pit guide: Don't buy "Trulli model" souvenirs (same style as Yiwu, China). It is more practical to bring a can of local olive oil. Summary in one sentence: This is a fairy tale built with stones by farmers who were driven crazy by tax officials, and even the tiles are telling black humor.