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Check out the last 'Hi' in the introductions section, I've written an essay in it, hope it not too boring :rolleyes:

Hi, have you looked at the website [url]www.discovery-travel.co.uk[/url] - they specialise just in Italy and in the region of Puglia in particular.

Check out our website still somewhat under construction.You would be very welcome subject to availability.[url]www.italianholidayhome.com.Any[/url] questions just ask
Tricia :)

[QUOTE=Helen]Hi, have you looked at the website [url]www.discovery-travel.co.uk[/url] - they specialise just in Italy and in the region of Puglia in particular.[/QUOTE]

The Old Olive Mill, Uggiano la Chiesa (near Otranto).
Great place to stay, fantastic food, swimming pool and nicely positioned to tour the area.

You will find it on the discovery-travel web site under hotels.

Many thanks for your replies; shall enjoy checking out those websites. Nice to have something to look forward to and cheer up the dark winter evenings.

ciao carolina non to impressed with dicovery travel if you want a good holiday company family run try [url]www.long-travel.co.uk[/url] they are excellent otherwise if you are prepared to plan it all yourself then try [url]www.trulloholidays.com[/url] ciao marco

[QUOTE=carolina]Many thanks for your replies; shall enjoy checking out those websites. Nice to have something to look forward to and cheer up the dark winter evenings.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=marco]ciao carolina non to impressed with dicovery travel if you want a good holiday company family run try [url]www.long-travel.co.uk[/url] they are excellent otherwise if you are prepared to plan it all yourself then try [url]www.trulloholidays.com[/url] ciao marco[/QUOTE]
Thanks Marco, shall certainly check out both of these. Have you used either of them yourself?

ciao carolina yes have used both many times, bob and jan at trullo holidays are brilliant there properties are very good and close to alberobello, the advantantage with long travel is that there sc accom usually has the price of a car included, if i can help anymore with info pm me ciao marco

[QUOTE=carolina]Thanks Marco, shall certainly check out both of these. Have you used either of them yourself?[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=carolina]Thanks Marco, shall certainly check out both of these. Have you used either of them yourself?[/QUOTE]

We went to Otranto (Old Olive Mill) with Discovery-Travel. Absolutely no problems and everything was handled very efficiently.

Hi I copied down what I wrote earlier, just in case you couldnt find it ;)

Our agents have also worked miracles for a friend and myself of course, I can not recommended them more highly, [url]http://www.buyahouse-italy.com/[/url] if you are interested speak to Vincent (hes lovely).

In Puglia you must go to Ostuni, a good place to stay is Hotel Terra or slightly outside the walls but seriuosly easier to park is the [url]www.santeligiorelais.it[/url]. Ostuni is beautiful its sometimes called the citta bianca due to its beautiful creamy white stone and whitewashing, it glows on the hilltop. Its centro historica is medieval, with lots of twisty walkways. Its been renovated and restored to a high standard, there's lots of trendy but tasteful bars and tavernas, all which are either caves at the back or have beautiful valted ceiling with the raw stone exposed. The best bar is Riccardo's at the back of the city, its a massive cave, and is very, very tastefully done out with wicked cocktails and liquid hot chocolate to die for. The slow cooking places are the best to eat, but the standard is high everywhere, and all the tavernas are cool and trendy. I used to adore Chianti but I'm a Primativo girl now, which is a rich wine, tastes like blackcurrant with a peppery aftertaste...yummm

From Ostuni, theres some lovely unspoilt beaches to take a picnic and drinks to, the sea is crystal clear. Theres lots of nearby towns like Alberobello that is a World Heritage site and is completely made up of Trullis. Monopoli is a small harbour town and is good for sea-food as is Polignano a Mare. Martina Franco is another medieval hill top town.

I havent been to Bari but Lecci is very Spanish is is often referred to as the Venice of the south for its over the top Baroque buildings.

Enjoy your trip, and do come to the parties we'll all be having next year when the sun comes out again. Ryan air can be as little as 99p to Bari or Brindisi from Stanstead.

Welcome and enjoy and good luck

Elaine

;)

Our introduction to Puglia was with Long Travel (recommended to us by friends). We used them a couple of times and had very enjoyable holidays and no problems. Apart from coming down one February and being completely unprepared for the extreme cold!!

We have also stayed with Discovery - only three nights at small masseria near Rosa Marina, Ostuni. Excellent service both from Discovery and at the masseria - La Pergola. Seems to be in the middle of nowhere but is close to the beach, Ostuni, excellent restaurant, etc. Good swimming pool (which is difficult to find in Puglia). However, you must like dogs - they have the most georgeous boxer.

If you have time I would recommend a visit to Gargano. We love the area around Vieste and used to return every year for our beach holiday when our children were little and didn't complain too much about the drive. The 36 hours drive was certainly worth it when you got there. Don't go in August however. Best time is probably the beginning of June.

Wherever you stay I hope you have a lovely time and enjoy all Puglia has to offer.

Give us a year and we may even have a trullo ready to rent (slow going at present and not helped by the fact that we really like it as it is and feel that we've lost the incentive to get it up to standard!).

Thanks everyone. This is all really helpful. I'm fast becoming addicted to this forum. Seem to be spending more and more time here. Fun though!

Caroline, there is a beautiful trullo near us which is rented out. It`s in a lovely spot with gorgeous views and has a splash pool in the garden. It`s been beautifully restored up to a high standard. It`s between Cisternino & Ostuni but also well-placed for Martina Franca. I think it`s sometimes rented out through an agency but the email address of the owner is [email]l.bottalico@btopenworld.com[/email]

[QUOTE=The Smiths in Puglia]Caroline, there is a beautiful trullo near us which is rented out. It`s in a lovely spot with gorgeous views and has a splash pool in the garden. It`s been beautifully restored up to a high standard. It`s between Cisternino & Ostuni but also well-placed for Martina Franca. I think it`s sometimes rented out through an agency but the email address of the owner is [email]l.bottalico@btopenworld.com[/email][/QUOTE]
Thanks, that does sound lovely. As we can't decide on just one place to stay for our holiday in Puglia next year, we are fast coming to the conclusion that we shall need a 2 centre holiday and spend a little longer there.

ciao,
Ostuni is beautifull, true but my advice is not to forget Lecce. why? because this is where i am now. The food, the wine the unspoilt country side, the village's fair, the all life style will not disappoint you.
You must rent a car and drive around Salento, discovering the area and the coast, Lecce is in a very central position between the ionian and adriatic sea and everything is within a reasonable distance. Roads are excellent, road sign not as much, but with a road map you will be fine.
Where to stay? well you can check VILLA GIULIANA at [url]www.bbvillagiuliana.com[/url]

it is a guesthouse immersed in a olive groves and a lush garden a couple of miles from the center of Lecce. All their rooms are ensuite and have independent entrance. Service is impeccable and breakfast excellent with fresh fruit and home made cakes. I am now helping them making the new olive oil and i could not imaging it was going to be so much fun.
if you need more specific informantion contact the owner, i have just registered him to this forum, and he should hopefully check it regularly.
Good luck

Eino Rosenbröijer

[QUOTE=bbvillagiuliana]ciao,
Ostuni is beautifull, true but my advice is not to forget Lecce. why? because this is where i am now. The food, the wine the unspoilt country side, the village's fair, the all life style will not disappoint you.
You must rent a car and drive around Salento, discovering the area and the coast, Lecce is in a very central position between the ionian and adriatic sea and everything is within a reasonable distance. Roads are excellent, road sign not as much, but with a road map you will be fine.
Where to stay? well you can check VILLA GIULIANA at [url]www.bbvillagiuliana.com[/url]

it is a guesthouse immersed in a olive groves and a lush garden a couple of miles from the center of Lecce. All their rooms are ensuite and have independent entrance. Service is impeccable and breakfast excellent with fresh fruit and home made cakes. I am now helping them making the new olive oil and i could not imaging it was going to be so much fun.
if you need more specific informantion contact the owner, i have just registered him to this forum, and he should hopefully check it regularly.
Good luck

Eino Rosenbröijer[/QUOTE]
That sounds wonderful. Looks like it's Ostuni and Lecce then - unless I hear of somewhere else that is unmissable!

[QUOTE=marco]ciao carolina non to impressed with dicovery travel if you want a good holiday company family run try [url]www.long-travel.co.uk[/url] they are excellent otherwise if you are prepared to plan it all yourself then try [url]www.trulloholidays.com[/url] ciao marco[/QUOTE]

Well I found Discovery Travel very effecient they know the area very well, helped arrange flights and car hire and even booked some tickets for us to go and see the Valle d'Itria music festival in Martina Franca nothing was too much trouble.

Valle d'Itria music festival in Martina Franca

Tell me more, sounds exciting is it opera and a bottle?

[QUOTE=elainecraig]Valle d'Itria music festival in Martina Franca

Tell me more, sounds exciting is it opera and a bottle?[/QUOTE]

I think the music festival takes place in July. Elaine. We haven`t yet been , although we`re great music buffs. We have, however, heard them rehearsing in the Comune & it sounds fantastic, especially drifting round the side streets of the centro storico. I looked at the programme for last year and a lot of it was quite obscure & I think it`s fairly expensive however we`re hoping that, maybe by next year, we`ll be a bit less busy with getting organised & we might actually go! Martina Franca calls itself `La citta` del Festival`. Hope you didn`t mind me butting in on this one!

An interesting guide for South Apulia: [url]http://www.nelsalento.com[/url]

[QUOTE=The Smiths in Puglia]I think the music festival takes place in July. Elaine. We haven`t yet been , although we`re great music buffs. We have, however, heard them rehearsing in the Comune & it sounds fantastic, especially drifting round the side streets of the centro storico. I looked at the programme for last year and a lot of it was quite obscure & I think it`s fairly expensive however we`re hoping that, maybe by next year, we`ll be a bit less busy with getting organised & we might actually go! Martina Franca calls itself `La citta` del Festival`. Hope you didn`t mind me butting in on this one![/QUOTE]

Gosh sounds great, see you there, I'll take a hip flask and a panini :p