Those who want to enjoy a slower pace of life, incredible weather, stunning surroundings, deliciously ripe food, flavourful wines, and picturesque scenes at every turn on their next vacation in Italy would be hard pressed to find a better option than a villa in Apulia. This southern region and heel of Italy’s, “boot,” often doesn’t get half the praise it deserves from international tourists but is, without a doubt, one of the most magnificent travel destinations in the entire country. There are endless reasons to visit and an infinite number of things to make you fall in love with the region but, to start you off, here are just ten excellent reasons to plan a vacation in Apulia today!
1. The Natural Beauty of the Region is Truly Extraordinary
Apulia’s landscape can be roughly divided into two areas: the lengthy coastline and the plains inland that make up over half of the region. Dotted by picture-perfect beaches, staggering and awe-inspiring rock formations, well-preserved and remarkable nature reserves, seas so blue that seem like they can’t possibly be real, and pretty and historic towns perched on remarkable rocky promontories, the 800km long coastline (the longest coastline of any mainland region in Italy) is immediately striking and appealing. However, while the good lucks of the coast are not to be missed and worth celebrating, the less well-known landscape of the plains of Apulia are also incredibly lovely. The flattest region of Italy, there is only a small mountainous area that is part of the Apennines and the rest of the landscape is largely made up of vast and lush hilly plains that are often blanketed in olive groves and vineyards. In fact, parts of Apulia can look quite like the more internationally renowned picturesque countryside of Tuscany but it is a bit more of a hidden gem and for those in the know. Certainly, no matter what part of the region you are wandering at any given time, a vacation rental in Apulia ensures that you’ll never be far from the next remarkable landscape to explore, enjoy, capture, and remember forever – the perfect surroundings for a holiday in Italy!
2. But, Specifically, the Beaches Are Amazing
Of course the landscape, at large, being lovely is delightful and makes for a charming backdrop to a relaxing getaway but that dramatic and gorgeous coastline specifically boasts many of the best beaches in all of Italy. If you’re a fan of unwinding while lying out on soft sandy shores, sipping cocktails in beach clubs while catching up with your travel companions, reading a good book while listening to the lapping waves, playing with your kids in the water and making precious memories, working on your tan, trying out water sports, and splashing about in bluer than blue waters, then really a villa in Apulia is just the thing. There are so many spectacular beaches to choose from that you could visit a different one every day and still have plenty to spare!
3. Also, those Same Landscapes Produce Delicious Food
Not only does Apulian cuisine benefit from this long coastline and utilise lots of fresh seafood ingredients but its verdant plains and hot summers also allow the produce of the region to ripen to utter perfection. As a result, though the cuisine of Apulia is simple due to its roots in cucina povera (or, “cuisine of the poor) traditions, it is made with incredible quality products and is impossibly full of flavour and delicious as a result. There is a great emphasis on the use of local and seasonal products and produce and Apulian food is generally quite hearty and very satisfying. Sagre, the local food festivals that take place all over Italy throughout each year, are especially common in Apulia and the keen visitor will keep their eyes open for any going on during their holiday in Apulia to ensure that they get the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful (and usually very inexpensive dishes) on offer at these events. Some particular dishes and products that are worth keeping an eye out for include: the wide variety of Apulian breads; the famous burrata cheese of the region; the PDO status oranges of Gargano and clementines of Taranto; the emblematic orecchiette pasta shape of Apulia that is served with a wide variety of sauces, meats, and other accompaniments; seafood dishes like tiella, which is a slow-cooked combination of rice, potatoes, and mussels; and a range of often Middle-Eastern inspired desserts that make use of honey, almonds, figs, pistachios, and spices. If you like to eat really well but you also like a bargain, then dining throughout much of Apulia is sure to suit your tastes...
4. ...And Wine!
Apulia is also the region that produces the most wine in Italy making finding a holiday rental in Apulia and spending a vacation sampling some incredible local vintages in restaurants, bars, and by visiting wineries themselves an absolute must! As with the food of Apulia, the wines of the region really benefit from the hot sun that perfectly ripens the vines throughout the summer and you can expect to try examples that are just positively bursting with flavour!
5. Those Festivals – Food-related or Not – and Traditions Make for Great Excitement
Whether it’s a festival dedicated to a specific dish or fruit or vegetable, it’s a music festival, or it is a religious celebration, the annual calendar of Apulia is full of fun and exciting events that keep local traditions well and truly alive. For a serious taste of life in Italy and plenty of new experiences, a vacation in Apulia is ready to deliver delicious treats, folk dances, art, parties, and much more besides!
6. The Architecture is Distinct and Incredible
Against the azure skies, teal seas, green plains, and vibrant blooms of this sunny southern region of Italy, you will discover that a distinct and gorgeous architectural character stands in stunning contrast. Picture the villages of unique trulli houses with their whitewashed walls and grey corbelled roofs that spiral above like gnomes’ hats, or the endless cluster of whitewashed buildings perched on hilltops or cliffs overlooking the sea in historic cities like Ostuni, or the impressive and massive medieval fortifications of Otranto and the Castel del Monte hewn from glittering pale stone. This region abounds in truly remarkable architectural gems that tell of the rich history and cultural heritage of this part of Italy, with visible remainders of the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Normans, Turks, and Spanish dotted all throughout the region. If you’re interested in finding less famous but no less impressive works of Italian art and architecture while on vacation then a villa in Apulia really is just the thing.
7. If You’re After Sun, this is the Spot for You...
The weather in Apulia, as one might expect of the south of Italy, is generally very good with little rain except in the winter months, lots of sun, warm springs and autumns, and hot summers. In January and February, you can expect to encounter a good bit of rain but some sunny days as well and temperatures around 10 to 14 degrees Celsius and 54 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit. By the time we get into March, the rain has become much more infrequent and temperatures steadily begin to increase, with the average daily temperature at around 15 degrees Celsius and 59 degrees Fahrenheit. In April, spring kicks into gear and flowers bloom while average daily temperatures rise to around 18 degrees Celsius and 64 degrees Fahrenheit. May, then, is when things real take a turn for the better. It is an ideal time for those who don’t like very hot weather and prefer to avoid the peak tourism months with average daytime temperatures of around 22˚C (or 72˚F) and over 12 hours of sunshine per day that will allow you to make the most of having the calm and lovely beaches of the region almost to yourself and for enjoying trekking the pretty towns and cities of Apulia without becoming overly warm. Those who enjoy golfing should also note that this is the best time of year to tee off on holiday in Apulia. By the time we get to June, temperatures raise to the mid to high twenties (or between 73 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit) and summer has officially begun. Schools close and locals and tourists alike begin to descend on the beaches and sitting out to enjoy meals, drinks, and coffee is a daily activity. In July, sun-worshippers and those looking for toastier weather are catered to with average temperatures during the day of around 28˚C (or 82˚F). Summer celebrations and festivals abound and evenings become balmy and deliciously intoxicating. Come August, things are really heating up with temperatures often soaring above 30 degrees Celsius. This hot weather perfectly ripens crops and vines and so the food festivals and restaurants and shops of the region are stocked with the most incredibly tasty treats to enjoy. September maintains a wonderful average temperature of 25˚C (or 77˚F) and lots of sun but schools go back and many international tourists leave, making it another ideal time for those who want to enjoy all that Apulia has to offer in dreamy conditions but minus crowds. October weather and temperatures remain pleasant but the cooling off makes it a great time to visit if you want to cycle or hike around the region. In November, the average temperature of 17˚C (or 63˚F) will still make for enjoyable and pleasant conditions for those used to cooler climates and any holidays at this time of the year will be completely devoid of tourist crowds. Coming into December and the end of the year, temperatures drop to an average of 14˚C (or 57˚F) but you’ll be kept warm and fuzzy inside from the wonderful Christmas celebrations that take over and make Apulia a rather magical place to be. So, really, depending on what you look for in a holiday, a villa in Apulia has almost every sort of getaway to offer as long as you time it right!
8. It’s Less Touristy and Less Busy than Many Other Places in Italy
While Italians have descended on Apulia for their vacations for generations, international tourists have only been coming to the region in slightly bigger numbers in recent years. And there are still far fewer coming to this part of the country than many of the more famous destinations. As a result, you’ll find that Apulia is ideal for those looking to avoid larger tourist crowds and to find a slightly more authentic experience of Italy. In addition, if you’re looking to practice your Italian, it is ideal as far fewer people here are fluent in English and other languages than in some of the bigger tourist hotspots of Italy.
9. ...And the Pace of Life is Slower as a Result
The pace of life even in many of Italy’s cities is slower than many other parts of the world and certainly really slows down once you head to the countryside and small towns but in Apulia the hectic pace of modern life really has yet to take a proper hold of life anywhere. If you really want to unwind, feel welcomed by warm locals, and leave all of the stresses of daily life far behind then a vacation in Apulia is just the thing!
10. We Have a Wonderful Selection of Gorgeous Villas in Apulia
Aside from all the amazing things to see and do in Apulia, another great reason to consider it as your next destination in Italy is that we boast a selection of truly spectacular villas in the region. From those gorgeous historic trulli buildings to sleek and sprawling modern villas, our villas in Apulia are elegant, stylish, full of character, and boast amazing amenities. If you’re looking to plan a perfect vacation in Italy then look no further than our villas in Apulia and villas with pools in Apulia!
