Located in south eastern Italy by the Adriatic and Ionian Sea, Puglia is a region that has been blessed with much beauty. Sprawling green countryside, sparkling blue seas and 800km of coastline comprise the region, which is great to explore during Puglia villa holidays. The area is also known as Apulia and has six provinces, all of which offer their own charm and character. They make up part of Italy’s ‘boot’, reaching all the way down to the bottom of the heel in the south. Escaping to the region is ideal for those who want to indulge in a sun-drenched break amongst delightful scenery. From luxury villas in Puglia to great value properties, there is accommodation in the region to suit couples, families and groups of friends alike.
Puglia enjoys a lovely Mediterranean climate which makes it popular with both Italian tourists staying at villas in Puglia and those from further away. The sun shines all year through and the region receives just enough rainfall to keep the countryside lush. A breeze from the seas often keeps the warm weather feeling pleasant and due to the region’s narrow width, your Puglia villa will never be far from the coast. July and August are popular times to visit Puglia, especially with Italian tourists who want to escape to the beautiful coast. What’s more there is a superb selection of concerts and festivals to keep the whole family entertained. Puglia is one of the main wine producing regions in Italy and festivals that celebrate the area’s delicious produce are especially popular.
Lecce is one of the region’s six provinces, and has a lot of character and highlights to offer its visitors. Those enjoying Puglia villa holidays close to Lecce can expect to be greeted by masses of Baroque architecture in the decorative churches, ornate squares and pretty streets that make up the landscape of the province, which is a pleasure to stroll around and a delight to reside in during Puglia villa holidays. Some of the most impressive monuments and landmarks in Lecce include Via Vittorio Emanuele, which is the main street lined with shops and cafés, and Piazza del Duomo, a cathedral square with beautiful ornate buildings, Baroque monuments and a spectacular cathedral. While staying at a Puglia villa in Lecce, you may want to indulge in some of the delicious olive oil and wines, which are the area’s main exports and are celebrated in many of the regions festivals.
As the region is filled with both coast and countryside, there is a wealth of activities for visitors in the area to enjoy. There are many parks and nature reserves in the region, some of which are protected and preserved by public entities. Over 20 of these spaces are in the region, meaning that during a Puglia villa holiday, visitors can explore and enjoy activities in these areas. The Garango National Park is home to numerous habitats which represent the Mediterranean’s diverse natural scenery. In the park you can enjoy the 40 cycle tracks and walking trails which take visitors past incredible flora and fauna, such as holly trees, deer and many species of birds. Numerous landmarks are also within the parks perimeters, including the castle of Monte Sant’Angelo which dates back to 979AD. The park is located near Foggia, a great area to enjoy Puglia villa holidays.
Seaside towns like Vieste, which has numerous small sandy beaches, rocky grottos and pure waters that have received Blue Flag awards are ideal for exploring during a Puglia villa holiday. There is an array of seaside resorts in Puglia, which range from long stretches of golden sands to secluded rocky coves. The Salentine Peninsula has a number of vivid green inlets which offer some of the cleanest and clear bathing waters in Italy. Many resorts in Puglia have yet to be discovered by the majority of tourists outside of Italy, which gives the region a delightfully authentic Italian feel. Picturesque old towns, remarkable natural scenery and unique Puglian architecture (like the trulli that are traditional stone dwellings with conical rooftops) can be explored from your villa in Puglia.
As well as the remarkable landscapes, the region is particularly renowned for its food and wine and produces a considerable amount of Italy’s pasta and olive oil. Local producers make delicious mozzarella cheese and crops of tomatoes, melon, fennel and figs are dotted amongst the landscape. Staying at a Puglia villa is the ideal opportunity to indulge in the foods of the region, either by cooking yourself or dining in one of the many local restaurants. Your meals can be washed down with one of the wines in the area such as the Primitivo di Manduria, a sumptuous red wine that goes well with many of the dishes made in the region like Orecchiette pasta and parmesan cheese. Rent a villa in Puglia for the chance to experience all the delights this relatively untouched area of Italy has to offer.
