If you're dreaming of Italy but hoping to avoid the crowds, head south to Puglia. Tucked into the heel of Italy's boot, Puglia is a romantic, slower-paced alternative to the Amalfi Coast. Whitewashed towns, crystal-clear water, old towns, and beautiful masserias that feel made for slow mornings and intimate dinners.

Polignano a Mare is a postcard of a town. White stone buildings sit dramatically above the Adriatic sea. Spend the afternoons swimming in the turquoise water before the winding streets in town lead you to dinner and drinks overlooking the sea at sunset. To get there, fly into Bari, then hop on the short train south as the coastline slowly comes into view. Visit in September and October for warm weather without the summer crowds.

Just down the coast, Monopoli has a quieter rhythm. Colourful fishing boats fill the harbour,  while locals gather in the piazzas each evening. The old town invites you to get wonderfully lost. Stop for fresh seafood by the water, wander in and out of artisan shops, or spend the day hopping between the small beaches tucked along the coastline. It's an easy stop from Bari, whether you rent a car or take a train to follow the coast.

A little further south, Ostuni is worth the detour from the sea side. Known as the White City, it's perched above the coastline with sweeping views and historic masserias tucked between ancient olive groves. Spend a morning wandering the streets before checking into a nearby masseria, where afternoons are best spent by the pool, enjoying long farm-to-table dinners, or cycling through the countryside. Fly into Brindisi or continue south from Bari, then rent a car for a drive through the countryside. The journey is part of the experience here, with quiet roads passing stone walls and little villages before Ostuni appears.

Rather than the rush of sightseeing, Puglia allows you to slow down and settle into the beginning of your marriage.