If you truly want to experience the ebb and flow of daily life in Puglia, then stay at the Salento Guesthouse in the very heart of Carpignano Selantino. Although very basic, the house is steeped in history. It's clean and comfortable and we used it as our base for 4 nights while we explored the area. Giuseppe is attentive and has great passion for his guesthouse and it's place in the village. Carpignano has a delightful piazza which we sat in every night as women filed into church, men rode into town with their bikes to play cards and children squealed as they played. Eat at La Locanda and marvel at their antipasto buffet, the likes of which you will probably have never seen.