Villa Ofelia

Villa Orama Relais is one of those properties that kind of has it all. A stunning and modern luxury villa in Apulia, it boasts both sea views and a private swimming pool. Furthermore, it is located just 3km from the centre of the gorgeous, so-called, “White City,” that is Ostuni. An elegant and relaxing place to unwind on holidays, perfectly positioned to enjoy privacy and nearby attractions, and with excellent amenities, this is an ideal property for those who are looking for a vacation rental in Apulia...

Spread over four hectares in the peaceful countryside of the Itria Valley in Apulia, the grounds of Villa Orama Relais are planted with ancient olive trees, brightly-coloured blooms, and cacti. Glimpses of the crystal clear waters of the sea can be seen out of various windows in the villa through gaps in the dense greenery of the trees but there is also a terrace that affords both clearer views over the coast and towards the historic centre of Ostuni. 

Summer is well under way and some may have left it to the last moment to plan their next vacation in Italy. Organising a last-minute trip, however, is no problem at all with our selection of villas that still have some availability, though you do need to book fast in order to avoid disappointment or someone else beating you to it. Particularly, if you are planning a romantic getaway just for two, it is much easier to pick up and head off right away. We happen to have a small offering of beautiful last-minute villas in Apulia that are perfectly suited to couples looking to enjoy some sun, delicious food and wine, gorgeous surrounding scenery, and pretty accommodations to choose from and these all have some availability in the next few weeks. While there are some other options to choose from, we have compiled a curation of the some of the best located, best looking, and most romantic among these for you. So, what are you waiting for? Plan a trip to gorgeous Apulia with the one you love and get ready to start making some magical memories of summer 2022 very soon...

We’ve recently been thinking (and dreaming!) a lot about vacations in Apulia especially as our range of villas in Apulia here on Italy Villas is so incredible and includes some wonderful traditional trulli structures. Recently, we did a deep dive on the trullo, a type of traditional stone house that is unique to the region of Apulia and is characterised by a conical roof and distinctive construction, built without the use of any mortar by carefully stacking limestone blocks to form sturdy walls. 

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!

Ostuni, known as the, "White City," or, "Città Bianca," in Italian, is located in the heart of Apulia. Comparable to Greece’s Santorini, it features distinctive white buildings stacked on a hilltop overlooking the region and the coast a short distance away. While the town is wonderful in many ways and boasts lots of incredible attractions, its visual appeal and iconic architecture is one of the primary elements that attracts visitors from all around the world. Book one of our villas in Ostuni today and you will have the opportunity to explore and appreciate the city's striking architecture up close for yourself on your next getaway.

The town's impressive white buildings are truly stunning, especially when viewed from afar, but it isn’t just about visuals. The caustic limestone that was used in the construction of the Old Town and then whitewashed was considered an important health measure used during the Middle Ages to help combat plagues by, “reflecting,” the, “bad airs,” that people of the time believed caused the illness. While our understanding of disease has become more advanced, the whitewashing does actually have antibacterial properties and really is thought to have helped reduce illness in the city to a degree.