Apulia with charm - Villa stay

After your landing in Rome, you will pick up your car at the car rental agency. Driving to your villa will take roughly one hour. 

Once arrived at the Villa you will meet our representatives, wo will show you the place and answer to any question you may have. They will be available by telephone during your stay in case of any need.

We can offer a wide range of accommodations, from four to twelve people. This is just one of the villas you can chose from.

Villa Nausicaa is a luxury residence with  a gorgeous Infinity Pool, located 4km from the center of  Ostuni, in a panoramic position among olive groves and orchards, in the Apulian countryside.

This wonderful property is a fabulous location to stay on holiday in Puglia and can accommodate up to 12 people.

Outside the villa, guest can enjoy the large 12 X 6 meters infinity pool for exclusive use, surrounded by a solarium with chaises  longues and stone seats in pure Mediterranean style, as well as a large area dedicated to outdoor cuisine with shaded patio for dinners and lunches by the pool.

On the sides of the pool there are the two housing units;

The Main Residence is large and bright, furnished with style and sumptuous modern decorations. The entrance opens directly to the  open-plan room with an open kitchen, dining table and sitting room; from the living room you can access the large living room /veranda with fireplace,characterized by large sliding windows. The sleeping  area consists of 3 bedrooms (2 double + 1 double with bunk beds) all with en-suite bathroom. 

From the outside you can access the basement, which through a steep spiral staircase leads to an additional bedroom with en-suite bathroom.The Antico Trullo Saraceno, has two double bedrooms, a small living room with minibar, 2 bathrooms with shower, outdoor patio and furnished gazebo. 

Outside, beyond the pool area, the property harmoniously extends over 1 hectare of garden with English lawn and orchard.

Villa Nausicaa  has all the comforts for a luxury holiday: AIR CONDITIONING IN ALL ENVIRONMENTS, HEATING, INTERNET WI FI, PRIVATE PARKING.

Ostuni, the “white city”, is one of Puglia most remarkable jewels.
The Aragonese walls, all around, protect the art jewels that shine inside.

The most remarkable is the cathedral that rises in the highest part of Ostuni. Built in the 15th century in “docile stone”, it’s a perfect example XV century flourishing Gothic. Its magnificent rosette is among the largest in the world.

The majestic church of S. Giacomo in Compostela, the convent of the Benedictines, with the annexed church of S. Pietro, and the churches of S. Francesco and S. Vito Martire shouldn’t be missed.

But it’s mostly the narrow winding streets, dazzling in their white walls, that are worth a visit, as well as the fascinating views of the sea and the surrounding countryside. The best moment to enjoy the scenery is at sunset, while sipping a chilled glass of local wine.

You just have to drive 50 Km to get to lovely Polignano a mare.

Expected driving time: 00:40 hours

Built in white stone on high cliffs, overlooking crystal clear waters, Polignano a Mare is arguably one of Apulia's most beautiful and famous villages. It's picturesque historic centre by the sea offers amazing views on the cliffs and on the jagged coastline.

Must sees of the medieval city center are the 13th century Mother Church dedicated to the Assumption, the town’s former slaughterhouse, which has been renovated and today houses a museum, and the Palazzese Cave, which hosts a posh restaurant with an amazing view.

Poligano is also the birthplace of the renowned singer Domenico Modugno, who became famous for his song Nel blu dipinto di blu (“In the Sky, Painted Blue”).

Gallipoli stands 115 Km from Ostuni. Expect 01:25 hours driving.

The main attraction of Gallipoli, the “beautiful city”, is the historic center, built on an island and surrounded by massive walls.

The old town, full of old palaces and baroque churches, was built by the Greeks as a kind of labyrinth where all the streets intersect, between the houses with white walls and dark blue cornices.

The Sant’Agata Cathedral, one of the highest expression of Puglia Baroque architecture, is absolutely worth seeing. Remarkable are also the “Greek fountain” – dating from the 16th century – located at the beginning of the masonry bridge connecting the new village with the ancient village.

A must-see, the tower walls offer the possibility to stop at the tables placed above the old towers for a coffee or an aperitif.

Do not miss lunch at fish restaurant “La Puritate” (it is advisable to book).

The Ionian coast offers the best sandy beaches of Puglia. In particular, the area South of Gallipoli, around Pescoluse, is called "the Salento Maldives", becauseof the incredible color of its turquoise waters.

If you like sun bathing and swimming, this is a destination you shouldn't miss. 

Head north towards Porto Cesareo and Punta Prosciutto if you like more secluded beaches (but still amazingly beautiful!).

Matera is located 100 Km from Ostuni, so be prepared for a rather long transfer. I suggest you leave very early in the morning, so that you can spend the entire day in Matera.

Expected driving time: 01:45 hours.

Matera is an unbelievable place. 

It’s a fascinating maze of streets, stairs and overlapping houses, churches and palaces, many of which partially excavated into the soft Matera rock.

The Sassi are individual dwellings carved into the soft pale gold limestone (“calcarenite”) and stacked on top of each other like a gigantic crazy Lego. The Sassi are with Petra, Giordany, one of the oldest inhabited settlements on hearth!

Your full day guided tour will start with Matera Murgia rupestrian churches and their amazing frescos. Yourguide will meet you at your hotel and you will drive together to the other side of the ravine.

First stop: the viewpoint used by Mel Gibson to film the crucifixion scene in The Passion of the Christ, as this area of Italy has been said to resemble Jerusalem. Enjoy the opportunity to take a panoramic photo of the spectacular view of Matera's historic centre before returning to the city.

You'll then find yourself surrounded by some of the 150 Rupestrian, or rock-hewn, churches for which the Murgia Materana Park is known. Mainly built in the Middle Ages, these sanctuaries are an important representation of the significance of religion in this area of southern Italy throughout history.

Among the many crypts, you won't miss the Crypt of the Original Sin with its astonishing frescoes, commonly known as “the Sistine Chapel of rupestrian art” . The frescoes were painted in the 8th & 9th centuries and depict biblical scenes & angels.

Based on your tastes and appetite, you will be able to chose among:

• wine tasting / lunch at the farmhouse next to the crypt: usually 2 wines (you can choose among the white one made with Greco and Malvasia grapes and the 2 Primitivo ones) and taralli (breadsticks) or go for a typical lunch with bruschetta (DOP bread of Matera with tomato and evo; cheeses and cold cuts; a pasta dish and 2 wines
• a typical tasty focaccia (similar to a pizza without mozzarella) at a bakery with or without wine tasting
• lunch at a typical restaurant in Matera
• wine tasting at a wine shop in Matera. You would normally taste 3 wines (2 Aglianico del Vulture, 1 Primitivo), cheese and cold cut

After lunch, you'll spend two hours exploring the historic center of this fascinating southern Italian city.

You'll enjoy panoramic views of the Sassi, the ancient cave dwellings for which the city is famous. A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, these rock-carved homes have been inhabited since prehistoric times, and are among the first human settlements in Italy.

As you continue your walking tour through Matera's main streets, you may well recognise the historic golden-stone architecture... it has been compared to Jerusalem on a number of occasions, and has been used as a filming location for the religious city in any number of movies, including Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. It also recently featured in Wonder Woman!

On our tour, we'll pass the Matera Cathedral, a magnificent example of 13th-century Apulian Romanesque architecture. Did you know it's located at the highest and oldest point of the city? Next, you'll have the opportunity to visit a few of the Sassi for which Matera is best-known, learning all about the origins of the cave dwellings.

Our final stop will be one of Matera's four Rupestrian, or cave, churches: the Chapel of Sant'Antonio Abate. Entering the church, you'll discover the ancient cave paintings decorating the rock-hewn walls and ceiling.

Ostuni is located 100 Km from Matera.

Expected driving time: 01:45 hours.

Lecce is located 75 Km from Ostuni, on the regional highway.

Expect a 00:55 hours driving time. 

Lecce is a fascinating city, a shrine of works of art from the Roman, Medieval and Renaissance periods. That said, it is mainly a baroque city, which explodes here in a very specific declination, so peculiar that it is called “Barocco of Lecce”.

The main highlights to visit are the Roman amphitheater, the castle of Charles V, the cathedral and its square, and the Basilica of Santa Croce.

But it’s all the historical center, with refined palaces and interesting craft shops manufacturing and selling papier maché and Lecce stone objects, which deserves to be discovered.

This four hours walking food tour will let you discover the hard and soft culture of the "Florence of the South"!

The city tour includes the most important monuments (Sant'Oronzo square, Roman Amphitheatre, Roman Theatre, Celestini Palace, Holy Cross Basilica with its wonderful baroque facade, the stunning Duomo square (one of the few "closed" square of Italy).

We will also visit some palaces, Charles V Castle (exterior), the ancient city gates (Napoli, S. Biagio, Rudiae), the Jewish heritage, an apulian eclectic liberty style villa, and more, depending on your tastes and appetite.

During the tour we will stop to visit an artisan workshop (to admire the world famous papier-maché, to find the real Made in Italy at an atelier with excellent natural fabrics), and, of course, to taste the typical "street food" of Lecce: the salty Rustico, the sweet Pasticciotto, a coffee at an artisanal roasting bar, excellent wines, evo, cheese, cold cuts and gelato.

The coast before Otranto has a couple of great coves. 

Torre sant’Andrea: spectacular white cliffs and sea stacks, surrounded by turquoise sea. Very small beaches nearby, often overcrowded.

Roca Vecchia: just North of Torre Sant’Andrea, Roca Vecchia is actually an archeological site, that you can access for a small ticket. Here the cliff has been used for ages as a stone quarry, with impressive results. Easy access to the sea for a swim.

Grotta della poesia (Cave of Poetry) is an impressive 100 foot wide sinkhole at the edge of the sea. It is said it once inspired pets, hence the name. You can dive from its high cliffs into the clear waters and get out of the sinkhole from an underground tunnel (if you dare to do so!). Small boats can be rented nearby.

Otranto, founded by the Greeks, is a wonderful "white town", one of the most beautiful of Puglia.

From the square of the Aragonese castle branches out the labyrinth of narrow streets and stairs, which make up the ancient village, the oldest and most characteristic part of the city. Each corner offers a little wonder: a church, a view of the sea, a detail to discover.

The highlight of the visit is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata. The cathedral dates back to the eleventh century and is Otranto masterpiece. The most notable element is the incredible mosaic which covers the entire floor of the church. It represents the Tree of Life and is considered by many experts as a true encyclopedia of Christianity.

The church also preserves in the chapel of the martyrs the remains of the massacre of 800 Christian believers. They lost their lives during the invasion of the Turks in 1480 because of they didn’t accept to convert to Islam.

You will drive 125 Km (01:30 hours driving time).

A gourmet itinerary to enjoy the beautiful countryside of Itria Valley and, in particular, to taste its culinary and wine excellences: the renowned wines of Locorotondo, some Slow Food presidia (Biscotto di Ceglie and Capocollo di Martina), the tasty cheeses, the healthy extra-virgin olive oil and the other products of the Mediterranean diet.

It's possible to skip the lunch, to taste some typical wine and food in a grocery or a wine shop, enjoy a served lunch in an trattoria or in Michelin star restaurant.

At the end of the tour we will visit the Unesco site of Alberobello with its fairy tale atmosphere made up of about 1. 500 trulli (a unique kind of building with stone conical roof without any mortar that have survived quite intact and functioning into the modern world).e 

This is a full day tour, which can be tailored to match your interest. You can choose four of the following experiences:

- visit to a cheese farm and cheese tasting (burrata, mozzarella, caciocavallo, ... )
- visit to a bakery to taste the Biscotto di Ceglie, a delicious almond biscuit
- wine tasting in the countryside (at a winery or in some trulli, typical rural houses in the countryside)
- visit to an artisanal workshop to taste the excellence of apulian charchutterie, the Capocollo di Martina (a pork meat cold cut similar to a smoked Parma ham)
- extra virgin olive oil tasting (at a shop or at an olive olive mill)  

Castellana caves are one of the most visited attractions in Puglia.

Considered the most important speleological complex in Italy and in Europe, the Castellana Caves are much appreciated for their vast crystalline concretions, their striking dimensions, and the spectacular scale of their natural tunnels.

Among the colossal stalagmites and stalactites and the spacious caverns with their playful shapes and multi-colours, you can admire the Grotta Bianca (White Cave), the Caverna dell’Altare (Cavern of the Altar), the Caverna della Cupola (Cavern of the Cupola), and the Passaggio del Presepio (Nativity Scene Passage), which has a stalagmite shaped like the Virgin Mary called the Madonnina delle Grotte (Little Madonna of the Caves).

Locorotondo and Cisternino are two small hamlets, definitely off the beaten path, where you can feel and experience the true spirit of Puglia.

Locorotondo a delightful white hamlet built on a small hill, was recently named among the most beautiful villages in Italy. It offers beautiful views over the olive trees and wine yards country side all around. It's a perfect place for your Aperitivo before going to dinner in Cisternino.

Cisternino, is similar to Locorotondo, and a key destination to enjoy a really original dinner. In the evening Cisternino butchers prepare countless outdoor tables where they serve delicious local grilled meat dishes. 

This is something only the locals know!

Lecce is located 75 Km from Ostuni, on the regional highway.

Expect a 00:55 hours driving time. 

Lecce is a fascinating city, a shrine of works of art from the Roman, Medieval and Renaissance periods. That said, it is mainly a baroque city, which explodes here in a very specific declination, so peculiar that it is called “Barocco of Lecce”.

The main highlights to visit are the Roman amphitheater, the castle of Charles V, the cathedral and its square, and the Basilica of Santa Croce.

But it’s all the historical center, with refined palaces and interesting craft shops manufacturing and selling papier maché and Lecce stone objects, which deserves to be discovered.

This four hours walking food tour will let you discover the hard and soft culture of the "Florence of the South"!

The city tour includes the most important monuments (Sant'Oronzo square, Roman Amphitheatre, Roman Theatre, Celestini Palace, Holy Cross Basilica with its wonderful baroque facade, the stunning Duomo square (one of the few "closed" square of Italy).

We will also visit some palaces, Charles V Castle (exterior), the ancient city gates (Napoli, S. Biagio, Rudiae), the Jewish heritage, an apulian eclectic liberty style villa, and more, depending on your tastes and appetite.

During the tour we will stop to visit an artisan workshop (to admire the world famous papier-maché, to find the real Made in Italy at an atelier with excellent natural fabrics), and, of course, to taste the typical "street food" of Lecce: the salty Rustico, the sweet Pasticciotto, a coffee at an artisanal roasting bar, excellent wines, evo, cheese, cold cuts and gelato.

The coast before Otranto has a couple of great coves. 

Torre sant’Andrea: spectacular white cliffs and sea stacks, surrounded by turquoise sea. Very small beaches nearby, often overcrowded.

Roca Vecchia: just North of Torre Sant’Andrea, Roca Vecchia is actually an archeological site, that you can access for a small ticket. Here the cliff has been used for ages as a stone quarry, with impressive results. Easy access to the sea for a swim.

Grotta della poesia (Cave of Poetry) is an impressive 100 foot wide sinkhole at the edge of the sea. It is said it once inspired pets, hence the name. You can dive from its high cliffs into the clear waters and get out of the sinkhole from an underground tunnel (if you dare to do so!). Small boats can be rented nearby.

Otranto, founded by the Greeks, is a wonderful "white town", one of the most beautiful of Puglia.

From the square of the Aragonese castle branches out the labyrinth of narrow streets and stairs, which make up the ancient village, the oldest and most characteristic part of the city. Each corner offers a little wonder: a church, a view of the sea, a detail to discover.

The highlight of the visit is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata. The cathedral dates back to the eleventh century and is Otranto masterpiece. The most notable element is the incredible mosaic which covers the entire floor of the church. It represents the Tree of Life and is considered by many experts as a true encyclopedia of Christianity.

The church also preserves in the chapel of the martyrs the remains of the massacre of 800 Christian believers. They lost their lives during the invasion of the Turks in 1480 because of they didn’t accept to convert to Islam.

You will drive 125 Km (01:30 hours driving time).

Based on your flight schedule, after breakfast leave Vernole to Brindisi Airport for your flight back home (a little more than one hour drive).