This is the second post in a three-part series. For Part One, please click here.

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Between the years of 1820-2004, sources show that approximately 5.5 million Italians immigrated to the United States, but the biggest wave of immigration was concentrated during the years of 1880-1914, when more than four million Italians came to the United States. Most of those folks (roughly 84 percent) were from Southern Italy and Sicily.

If you are Italian-American, chances are your family roots, like mine, lie in the toe or the heel of the Italian boot, or the island which it kicks.

One of the more beautiful surprises of my life has been getting to know Puglia, homeland of my Italian grandfather, and my relatives who still live in the area where Grampa was born.

In today’s Snapshots series, I share with you some of favorite photos of Puglia, and I’m proud to say that every single one was taken with a cugino or cugina right by my side. ❤

Polignano a Mare

A stunning cliffside town overlooking the Adriatic Sea…

Above: Opposite sides of the same little inlet, different times of day. Sunset in Polignano a Mare is stunning. Below:  Photos of the same poetic staircase, taken two years apart.

Above: There is nothing more epic than the sea / Polignano a Mare is also poetic. Below: The butterfly does not count the years but the moments: and has time enough.

Lecce

In a city nicknamed Florence of the South, there are plenty of opportunities for photos. I tend to love the ones which hint at everyday life.

 

Alberobello

A magical village which makes you feel as if you’ve found a portal to a fairy tale world. Read more here.

Cittavecchia, Bari

Above: More beautiful vicoli (alleys) and everyday Italian life going on around me. irresistable! Below: I am especially attached to this photo, as it was taken from the front of my grandfather’s home — a house which is still in our family (!!!). This would have been Grampa Mike’s view from his house, or on his way to the piazza just a few blocks past the pink building, every single day for 17 years until he sailed off to America.

“Unbelievably, the house where my grandfather and all of his siblings were born and raised is still in our family’s possession. The house, which has reached fairy tale status to us in America. ” — From Finding Famiglia by Stacy di Anna Pollard

Below: This one just puts a smile on my face.

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I would love for you to share one of your favorite snapshots from Italy, and I invite you to post it on my Facebook page!