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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.

Vieste is a small but perfectly formed town that is located right on the very tip of the spur of Italy's boot. Positioned on the most eastern part on the Gargano peninsula of Italy, in the Puglia region, it is a charming little fishing village that offers stunning views and where you will find a surprisingly long list of things to see and do. Whitewashed buildings crowd up from the soft sand and blue seas of two beaches and the town is strategically placed atop the steep Pizzomunno cliffs.

The result resembles a cross between Naples and Dubrovnik and is at once Italian and a little more exotic. Outdoor pursuits and water sports, in particular, are on offer here for those who seek adventure but there are plenty of quieter and calmer activities as well. As such, it is a location that can cater for families, groups of friends and couples alike. For a dreamy seaside holiday in Italy, all you need to do is browse our vacation rentals in Vieste.

Carpino, in Puglia, is within a two hour drive of the busy international airport Bari but is probably not a name that many are very familiar with. Yet, each summer, thousands descend upon this little town for an incredible music festival: the Carpino Folk Festival.

The setting could not be more perfect or picturesque with the sun shining overhead, kissing the white-washed buildings, open piazza, cobbled lanes and buzzing crowds, excited to take in the music and festivities.

Down below, the lovely Lake Varano, olive groves, beach resorts and Gargano National Park all stretch out like a painting. The whole thing makes for an incredible atmosphere that can not be replicated elsewhere.

Gargano is a sub-region of the province of Foggia in Apulia in Italy. It is probably most well-known for its National Park and natural beauty. Like most of the south of Italy, it is comprised of rocky cliffs and azure seas but is especially lush due to the fact that the peninsula is partially covered by forestry.

This is made up of the remains of an ancient forest of beeches and oaks (the “Foresta Umbra” that was once part of the forestry which covered most of central Europe) as well as the Apennine deciduous montane forest.

The Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo sul Gargano, or Il Santuario di San Michele Arcangelo, often simply referred to as “Monte Gargano”, is a Catholic church and sanctuary located on Mount Gargano in northern Apulia. A UNESCO-awarded World Heritage Site as part of a group of seven Longobard sites in Italy, it is an old and historic building that is both beautiful and fascinating.

As the oldest shrine dedicated to the archangel Michael in Western Europe, it has been an important pilgrimage site since the early Middle Ages and today it remains of religious importance but is equally of historic and artistic interest to tourists.

Manfredonia is a name that you may not have heard of before but maybe you should have! It is an incredibly beautiful seaside town located on the eastern coast of Italy, in the comune of Apulia, that has managed to fly under the radar but has lots to offer the discerning visitor. So, if you find a holiday rental in Apulia, come explore and discover its charms for yourself.

Faced by a long stretch of coast, with endless crescent moons of perfect sandy beaches to play on and aquamarine waters to splash in, the town is comprised of an astounding historic core, surrounding by a fascinating sprawl of newer buildings.

With lots to offer visitors by way of sights, restaurants, bars and stores but far from the beaten tourist trail, it is a great spot for the more intrepid traveller looking for something new.