Archive for 'Apulia'

The unhurried and relaxed atmosphere, absence of the largest tourist crowds, beautiful medieval hill towns, perfect beaches, an deliciously sun-ripened food and wine all make finding a vacation rental in Apulia a good idea for those looking to unwind and get away from it all on their next holiday. However, what might be less apparent to those planning a visit to the, “heel,” of Italy is that it is an ideal destination for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts. With countless archaeological museums, Greek and Roman ruins, astounding cathedrals, and imposing castles and fortresses dotted throughout the region, Apulia has an impossible wealth of cultural heritage and history to explore, though it may not get the same kind of coverage in international media or tourist guides. Endlessly fascinating and without the queues that can plague other destinations in Italy, this is an ideal spot to continue that relaxed holiday vibe without interruption, even while trying to check out local attractions and gems. Among said gems is the storied and picturesque Abbazia di Santa Maria in Cerrate...

A regular fixture on our blogs are listicles of some of our favourite properties of the moment among the almost four thousand different villas, farmhouses, apartments, castles, and more located all across Italy that are available to rent on our website. It can be very hard for us to narrow down the lists into bite-size articles for your consumption as there are just so many wonderful options to choose from! But we always somehow manage to whittle it down eventually to a taster of just some of the best of the best among them.

However, if you don't want to just take our word for it and would also like the opinion of one of the world's most stylish publications, then you're absolutely in luck! ELLE magazine, a famously sophisticated and fashion-forward magazine, recently ran a special feature focusing on the coolest, most luxurious, appealing, chicest, and varied ways to holiday in Italy. As Easy Reserve and Italy Villas are two of the best online destinations for those looking into planning a holiday in Italy and finding the perfect Italian villa of their dreams, they posted a special round-up of some of their favourites among our incredible vacation rentals in Italy on their website in conjunction with this Italian travel special. We were delighted to be chosen as one of their go-to sites for booking a vacation in Italy!

In the grand and charmingly elaborate Baroque city of Lecce, you will discover lots of stunning churches, architectural gems, Roman ruins, great works of art, and delicious food. If you have found a villa in Apulia, it is definitely a place to plan a day trip to as it is impossibly picturesque and the eating is always good. From perfectly fresh seafood, to fluffy pastries bought still warm from the oven in the morning for breakfast, to gelato to cool you down while exploring the winding little streets of the city, to pasta-making classes, to multi-course meals; there are all sorts of incredible culinary experiences to try while in the city. However, if you are looking for a lighter, elegant, excellent dining experience paired with some delicious local wines to tide you over, then we particularly recommend a visit to the Mamma Elvira Enoteca.

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.