Villa Andola

With a vast nature reserve, pretty hilltop villages and long sandy beaches all under 10km away, Villa Andola is idyllically placed for your Puglian escape. While staying here you can bask in the tranquil country setting and yet there are amenities and attractions just a short drive away.

As the climate here is fantastic and the home is enveloped by wide open spaces and walking routes, you are sure to want to spend lots of time outside getting in nature. Just 8km from the villa you can immerse yourself in the unspoilt surroundings of the Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve which is a large area of land and numerous beaches which are protected. The reserve is a great place to spend the day getting away from it all; here you can sunbathe on pristine beaches, explore the sand dunes and look out for animals and marine life. You could also simply pack a delicious picnic to eat as you overlook the azure sea. If you prefer an active day out, then within easy reach of the home you can visit family-run vineyards for a tour, try out surfing and water sports or take a horseback ride through the rugged hills.

Puglia is renowned for its charming towns and villages which each offer their own unique characters and sights for you to see. One of the closest towns to the villa is Carovigno which is just 8km away by car. Carovigno is a town which is steeped in history as you will be able to tell as you walk by the imposing Castello Dentice di Frasso, a medieval castle which has defended the town from countless sieges over the centuries. As the town was first settled be pre-Roman tribes, there is an eclectic mix of architecture here and you can see walls build by the Messapic people, Roman arches and a staggering fourteen different towers. All of these buildings and monuments can be seen dotted around the winding narrow lanes of the town which are a lovely place for an afternoon stroll before enjoying coffee and freshly made pastries outside a patisserie. If you are visiting around Easter time then you may be able to see locals taking to the streets to take part in the historic custom of Nzegna, a type of theatrical flag throwing. This 1000-year-old tradition takes place in honour of the Madonna del Belvedere each year in stunning parades and feasts.

Another town you can visit nearby is San Vito dei Normanni which is 9km from the home. Though the picturesque town is mainly Baroque in style, it actually hails from 1800BC and boasts archaeological sites just outside of the centre from the 600BC. In town you can see the Norman tower, the unique square shaped castle, beautiful churches and even an olive oil museum. There are also plenty of artisan shops and eateries here; for a taste of true Pugliese cuisine look out for a little trattoria hidden away down a side street.

From Villa Andola you are also able to visit many of Puglia’s best-loved towns and natural attractions such as the picture-postcard city of Ostuni (16km away) the Trulli town of Locorotondo (50km away) and the enchanting Castellana Grotte cave systems (64km away).