Archive for 'Southern Italy'

We have discussed the beautiful town of Polignano a Mare in Apulia many times before as a picturesque gem defined by whitewashed buildings perched high on the edge of rugged cliffs and overlooking impossibly blue waters below. Of course, there is more to the town, including the iconic and pretty little beach nestled between two of those cliffs right at the centre of the town, the charming piazze, the winding streets, the perfect places to sit out and eat or sip on a coffee, the balconies with flowers spilling over them, and much more besides. However, those cliffs are actually rather important and worth paying attention to if you are thinking of booking a villa in Apulia.

Over a staggering 20m in height, made of bright creamy limestone, craggy and dramatic, and overlooking the deep and beautiful waters of the Adriatic below, the unbelievable cliffs of Polignano a Mare are almost always annually one of the key stops or legs of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. Earlier this year, on the 2nd of July, they hosted one of the primary European legs of the tour for 2023. In fact, the town is often labelled the Home to European cliff-diving!

Apulia is truly awash with grand architectural feats varying from towns featuring skylines filled with the conical roofs of the large number of remaining traditional trulli houses, to grand and sumptuous Baroque cities and beyond. However, one of the most iconic buildings in the entire region, even amongst these many wonderful contenders, has to be the magical Castel del Monte.

Located not far from the town of Bari, this UNESCO-awarded 13th century wonder was commissioned by Frederick II of Swabia. Perched in a strategic position atop a hill, it boasts astounding panoramic views over the surrounding landscape. Like something plucked right from the pages of some epic fantasy novel, this extraordinary octagonal fortress is a must-see for those who find a villa in Apulia and who come to dive into the region’s rich cultural and artistic heritage on vacation.

Corte Tiso is a charming little apartment decorated in a chic modern style that is located in the stunning historic centre of Lecce. Known as the, “Florence of the South,” this sumptuous city is full of architectural gems and incredible works of art and combines a rich cultural heritage with all of the charms of a vacation in Apulia. Corte Tiso, similarly, offers both charming traditional and historic surroundings as well as all of the mod-cons that you could ask for during a holiday in Italy.

If you find a villa in Campania and you are a fan of palaces and unbelievable architectural gems, then a visit to the incomparable Royal Palace of Caserta is a must. Located in Caserta in Campania, this massive and beautiful building is a former royal residence that was originally built for the Bourbon kings of Naples in the 18th century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a truly breathtaking sight to behold and for those who love to get a little lost in time and spend hours admiring the extraordinary homes of nobles, it is utterly unmissable. The largest palace in Europe, the size alone of the Royal Palace of Caserta is awe-inspiring and mind-boggling. However, this in addition to the staggering wealth of artworks, the gorgeous architecture, and the stunning gardens all adds up to a singular experience.

Begun in 1752 under the reign of Charles VII of Naples and designed by Luigi Vanvitelli in close collaboration with Charles, it never actually was his home as he abdicated in 1759 to become the King of Spain. The palace is inspired by the social model of Versailles and in design by the Royal Palace of Madrid, where Charles had grown up, as well as the Charlottenburg Palace. 

A quick and classic summer dish from Italy that is easy to make, refreshing, tasty, and perfectly light and satisfying is the Caprese salad. Recently, we mentioned this beloved appetiser in our post all about mozzarella. A famous product that is made in many different regions of Italy, it is an EU-protected food made using traditional recipes with slight variations in the kind that comes from each place. First developed in the South of Italy, it is thought to date back as far as the 1st century AD. The Caprese salad itself, meanwhile, is made with mozzarella as well as tomatoes, basil, and olive oil (and often balsamic vinegar) and is named for the island of Capri, from which is it thought to have originated.

As the summer continues to sizzle on, we suggest making yourself a Caprese salad with our recipe while you browse our villas in Campania and then coming and making it in its home region with the freshest and most sun-ripened ingredients from local markets for the full Campania culinary experience. A place where basic ingredients are perfectly ripe and impossibly delicious so even the simplest dishes absolutely sing with flavour, this gem of a destination is a must for foodies looking to vacation in Italy during the summer...