Archive for 'Southern Italy'

There are lots of wonderful coastal destinations and natural gems to explore in Apulia and great swathes of this beautiful region in the south of Italy are protected but one particular area that combines all of the above and is a must-see for those who have found a villa in Apulia is the incredible Laghi Alimini, or Alimini Lakes.

Located north of Otranto, the Alimini Lakes is one of the most beautiful natural areas of Salento and Apulia by far and consists of a protected oasis extending over around 1000 hectares, two bodies of water, and a stunning chunk of the coast. These two bodies of water are the main stars of the show here (though the beaches are also quite stunning) and are known as the Alimini Grande and Alimini Piccolo.

Apulia is a famously beautiful part of Italy and if you find a villa in Apulia you will never be in want of things to see and do. You just need to rent a car, hit the road with no particular destination in mind, and then you will quickly find yourself just happening to stumble across all sorts of truly incredible surprises and wonders along the way. However, if you want to head our out with a destination in mind that you can be sure is certain to wow you with its impossible natural beauty, then we highly recommend a visit to Gargano.

Gargano is the name given to an area of Foggia in Apulia that is made up of a series of peaks and highland that projects out into the Adriatic. Much of the upland part of the area is located within the protected Gargano National Park that was founded back in 1991 and some of the peninsula is home to the remains of the Foresta Umbra, an ancient forest that is all that is left in Italy of the oak and beech forest that once covered much of Central Europe. Heading to the coastline, Gargano is also home to some fascinating rock formations and cave systems, pretty bays, charming beaches, and idyllic little towns. All of these different factors ensure that Gargano is, undoubtedly, one of the most picturesque parts of Italy and, thankfully, well-preserved.

Limoncello is a familiar fixture of the culinary traditions of the south of Italy and those who have holidayed in the area will have fond memories of the liqueur being brought out after dinner as a digestivo when dining out, though this practice has since been adopted in many other places throughout Italy. Served chilled, it is made of water, lemon zest, rectified spirit, and sugar, and has an alcohol content that varies between 25-30%. In addition to limoncello itself being served up in restaurants, one can regularly find limoncello flavoured ice-creams, cakes, treats, and more on menus and in gelaterie and bakeries all over the country and all sorts of limoncello merchandise from fridge magnets to tea towels abound in souvenir shops throughout the south of Italy. Bottles of limoncello are also often packed carefully between clothes to bring home as perfect gifts for friends, family, and the neighbour who agreed to feed your dog while you were away. If you have enjoyed a vacation in Italy, you are, no doubt, very familiar with the beverage!

The region of Apulia in the south of Italy is an area of incredible beauty and anyone who has found a vacation rental in Apulia will discover stunning sights such as towns made of pretty and historic trulli buildings with their corbelled roofs, astounding architectural gems from throughout history, incredible cave systems to be explored, gorgeous national parks perfect for hiking, and a coastline dotted with stunning beaches, impressive cliffs and rock formations, and charming little coves. One of the most picturesque examples of one of these amazing spots along the coast of Apulia is Torre Sant'Andrea in Melendugno.

Those interested in a vacation in Italy but also in getting a little bit more off the beaten path to somewhere unspoiled, untouched, and impossibly beautiful will find that a villa in Calabria is just the thing. Calabria is one of the best-kept secrets in Italy, a magic gem that boasts a lack of touristy nonsense and very mild winters and hot summers, making it a great holiday destination for most of the year. One of the most southern parts of Italy, it makes up the toe of the boot that is Italy and extends out into the Mediterranean, which surrounds on three sides. As a result, it is a region that has lots of beaches to choose from and, due to the smaller amount of tourist crowds, these beaches tend to be pristine and incredibly gorgeous. This makes Calabria a perfect place for sun holidays and seaside getaways.