After the recent wedding of Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, a new star is emerging on the Italian landscape- the Southern region of Puglia. This Adriatic hot-spot can be easily identified on a map as the “heel” of Italy, offering sweeping landscapes of the turquoise sea, friendly and welcoming people and an authentic Italian experience. On choosing Puglia as the site of her nuptials, Biel revealed “we wanted to create a time for our family and friends to say goodbye to their lives and really feel like they were on vacation”.
With its mild Mediterranean climate, over 500 miles of seascape and small-town friendliness, Puglia offers a warm and welcoming environment. “The allure of Puglia is in its simplicity, says Kit Burns, president of Doorways Villa Vacations. “Words like honest, natural, and peaceful to mind.” With landscapes offering private pools and gardens, villa rentals can offer an added sense of privacy for guests and their family or friends.
For those looking for an authentic experience, Doorways Villa Vacations has announced several villa rental packages in Puglia:
Due Trulli (Sleeps 10+4 in 5 double bedrooms/2 bunk rooms/5 bathrooms; air-conditioned, with gardens, pool, WiFi)
Immersed in peace and tranquility and furnished with immaculate care and attention to detail, Due Trulli is one of the most sought after holiday homes in Puglia. Located less than two miles from the hilltop town of Cisternino, this villa rental features gardens and a magnificent swimming pool carved out of bedrock.
The house is made up of two “trulli” houses (the local cone-shaped architecture that is unique to Puglia) that have been beautifully renovated using ancient stone masonry techniques. Perfect for groups of friends or large families, Due Trulli is an exclusive villa rental where guests can find space privacy and tranquility among sprawling grounds.
Gelso Bianco (Sleeps 8 in 4 bedrooms/4 bathrooms, air-conditioned with pool, WIFI)
This fully restored traditional Pugliese farmhouse is set in the beautiful countryside near the town of Alberobello. The villa rental offers pre-arranged culinary lessons with the property’s executive chef. A large outdoor dining table provides plenty of space for al fresco dining in the shade or beneath a starlit sky at night. In addition to the beautiful pool, the surrounding property includes a vegetable garden and several fruit and nut trees that are for guests’ enjoyment.
Ca’ Del Fico (Sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms/1 bathroom, air-conditioned with pool, WIFI, free use of an Apple iPad, panoramic sea views)
Ca’ del Fico is a beautifully restored villa, surrounded by gardens with unusual and exotic plants. The villa rental also features gorgeous views of the surrounding olive groves down to the Adriatic Sea and the beautiful beaches of Capitolo.
Well-maintained bicycles are available on request and for a fee at Ca’ del Fico for guided or self-guided excursions to some of Puglia’s most memorable locales. Artisanal gelato is always around the corner and guests are never more than a few minutes from the sparkling sea.
Doorways Villa Vacations, www.villavacations.com