Villa Diadema

In an elevated position, set in wonderful grounds including private woodland, Villa Diadema is only a 2km drive from the town of Ceglie Messapica located in the northern part of Salento, Puglia. The beautiful Adriatic sea is just a 20-minute drive away whilst the Ionian coastline can also be easily reached in around 45 minutes by car.

The nearest restaurant is just a walk away where they serve excellent Italian cuisine as well as offering catering and exceptional cooking classes. A Michelin starred chef can also be booked to cook for you in the villa with ample advance notice. The restaurant is usually open every evening as well as Sunday lunchtime and you'll need to book ahead.

The local town, Ceglie Messapica, has a great reputation for fine Puglian cuisine with a number of highly regarded restaurants including the highly regarded “Al Fornello da Ricci” with a Michelin star. You'll also find delightful shops selling wonderful local produce as well as food and drink festivities throughout the year. The white-washed town has a beautiful historic centre dating back to medieval times where you can explore the narrow lanes, discover old churches and admire the town’s handsome castle. There's a relaxed and authentic ambience across Ceglie Messapica with less tourists than some of the more famous villages and towns in the region.

The stunning Adriatic coastline is only 20km away where you will find crystal clear waters, rocky ledges, sandy bays and some idyllic beachside summer restaurants and bars. There are some wonderful coastal walks as well as pretty seaside resorts and impressive lidos. Hire bikes and explore the nature reserve at Torre Guaceto with its sand dunes, lagoons and utter beauty.

The Ionian side of Salento also offers magnificent beaches and incredible scenery such as Campomarino, one of Puglia’s most scenic beaches with fine white sand and turquoise waters. It’s also near protected areas such as the Dune di Campomarino and the forests of Pineta d'Ayala.

This region is home to some of Puglia’s most enchanting towns. Start off in the hilltop town of Ostuni with yet more excellent restaurants, historic architecture and amazing views from the labyrinth of narrow lanes.

Picturesque Martina Franca is also full of charm, en route to the famous town of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can visit many of the impressive trulli that this region is so well-known for.

Cisternino is another characterful place to visit, known to be one of Italy’s most beautiful towns with magical views down to the Valle d’Itria whilst Locorotondo is worthy of a visit due to its fascinating architecture and lovely wines.  

Other highlights of this area include its many caves, both inland and along the coast including the Grotte di Montevicoli just a short drive away as well as the interesting history of the area which can be seen at Scavi D'Egnazia with its wonderful excavations.

Activities include horse-riding, a variety of watersports along both the Adriatic and Ionian coasts, tennis, mountain biking and golf within a short drive. Not to mention both olive oil and wine-tasting across this spectacular part of Puglia.

There’s a reason Puglia is the region of the moment, or rather several: the excellent food, exuberant architecture dotted in the South, the breathtaking coastline and heaps more. Puglia is much bigger than you might first expect, but you’ll get both a wonderful and varied Italian experience here.Use our travel guide as a nifty sidekick (think of us like the Robin to your Batman) to help you plan the holiday of a lifetime. And don’t forget we’ve got a selection of villas in Puglia that will add that extra special touch to your trip.

Please be aware that a number of nearby amenities - pharmacies, supermarkets, restaurants, for example - may be closed or have limited opening hours during low season.

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