The Puglia Guys is an independent, non-commercial, English-language guide to travel, food, and life in Italy’s southern region of Puglia.
Founded by Scott Maxwell, a former London-based lawyer who moved to Puglia almost nine years ago, the project began as a way of documenting the region honestly and seasonally. Today, The Puglia Guys has become one of the most trusted English-language resources for visitors seeking authentic local experiences, not the curated tourist version.
Scott now combines travel writing with tending a small olive grove “just for fun”. He works with a small network of contributors and collaborators — all born-and-bred Puglians from different walks of life — who bring local insight, dialect, and personal perspective to the project.
Andrea Visaggio, from Bari, contributes design, photography and editorial support. A graphic design student whose Puglia-themed posters have been exhibited regionally, Andrea helps shape the visual language of The Puglia Guys across web and social platforms.
Offering Puglia travel expert advice and commentary, they do not include paid for promotions or content: “To ensure the authenticity of our recommendations, we review anonymously and pay in full. We never have and never will be paid by anyone we feature or speak about.”
What We Do
We publish long-form guides, itineraries, cultural features and seasonal insights about Puglia — written by locals, for travellers who want to understand the region rather than just visit it.
Our focus includes:
- Slow travel and off-season discovery
- Authentic food and drink culture
- Realistic regional itineraries
- Festivals, traditions, and everyday life in Puglia’s towns and countryside
We produce:
- In-depth destination guides on pugliaguys.com
- The Puglia Guys Podcast (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.)
- Daily insights and photography on Instagram @pugliaguys
Our Principles
- Independent and non-commercial. We do not sell travel products or services.
- Ad-free and sponsor-free. We carry no paid promotions or press trips.
- Anonymous, self-funded reviews. Every meal, stay and activity is paid for by us.
- Local insight. Written and photographed by people who live here year-round.
- Realistic storytelling. Honest accounts of the region as it truly is — season by season.
Audience Snapshot (October 2025)
- Website traffic: ≈ 30 800 sessions / 46 000 pageviews per month
- Podcast: ≈ 2 500 downloads per month (19 149 YTD)
- Instagram: ≈ 33 000 followers / 400 000 post views in 30 days
- Top audience regions: UK 35 % | US 25 % | Canada 10 % | Australia 10 % | Ireland 8 % | Other 12 %
Our readers are English-speaking travellers planning independent trips to Puglia who value authenticity, local food, and insider knowledge over mass-market tourism.
As Seen and Heard
- Contributors to BBC TV travel coverage and Rough Guides Puglia
- Quoted and referenced by multiple international travel publications
- Trusted by thousands of travellers each month for planning Puglia itineraries
For Media & Collaboration
We’re available for:
- Expert comment, background, or fact-checking for Puglia-related stories
- Interviews on slow travel, off-season tourism, and local food culture
- Guest articles and editorial contributions about the region
We’re always happy to assist editors or producers developing stories on:
- Olive oil, wine, and seasonal food traditions
- Sustainable and community-based tourism
- The evolution of Puglia’s image and economy
- Cultural events, festivals, and rural life
As Puglia ambassadors and Puglia travel experts, expert commentary and media enquiries are welcome.
Contact
Scott Maxwell — Founder & Writer
scott@pugliaguys.com
https://pugliaguys.com
Instagram @pugliaguys
Quote
We started The Puglia Guys because most travel writing about Puglia was written from elsewhere. We wanted to show what life here really looks like — season by season, with its rhythms, imperfections, and charm. Puglia is more than an Instagram backdrop. Our aim is to help visitors understand the real region, without the filters.
— Scott Maxwell, Founder
