The mouth-watering dishes of Puglia are produced from the wonderful and abundant local produce for which the region is renowned. From delicious red meats such as lamb, veal and rabbit, to seafood like mussels, prawns and clams, you are sure to find a local dish on the menu that takes your fancy. Eighty percent of Italy’s olive oil is also produced in the region and is known for its distinctive flavour and exceptional quality. Italians love to have a bottle of wine that complements their food, and in Puglia there is no shortage of excellent local wines that fit the bill.

Puglia boasts an extremely rich and diverse history having been ruled by many different peoples including the Romans, Byzantines, Normans and Bourbons. You will also notice architecture that has been heavily influenced by Greek and Arabic cultures, especially within the picturesque hilltop towns scattered all over the region. The most well-known symbols of Puglia are the historic and fascinating “Trulli” – traditional dry stone houses with conical roofs, sometimes decorated with mystic symbols, and largely concentrated around the UNESCO World Heritage town of Alberobello. Even some of our villas in the region are renovated Trulli houses, offering you a unique opportunity to experience living in one of these curious buildings.

Set between two seas and boasting more than 750 kilometres of coastline, Puglia is well known for having some of the most stunning beaches in Italy. The dramatic and undulating Adriatic coast has small sandy beaches and rocky coves, dramatic cliffs and sweeping dunes. The more popular beaches offer facilities such as beach bars, and there are also plenty of quieter beaches on which to simply sit back and relax. Cross the peninsula to the west side of Puglia, and you will find miles and miles of white sand that make up the Ionian coastline, perfect for packing a picnic and spending the day relaxing, often with just yourself for company.

The Puglian summer calendar is packed with a seemingly endless stream of fascinating and fun festivals and events from small village get-togethers to huge regional celebrations. Festivals in Puglia are very much a family affair with adults and children alike having loads of fun, often well into the early hours. You will be warmly welcomed to join in with the festivities. Popular events include open air concerts, opera and live music including anything from jazz to traditional Italian. Religious festivals are also well-attended including the festival of San Nicola held in Bari during May, and the many events dedicated to the patron saints of each village throughout the region.

• The awe-inspiring Baroque architecture in Lecce, one of Italy’s most beautiful cities, is simply unmissable during your villa holiday to Puglia

• Encounter the unique Trulli houses that dominate the skyline of beautiful Alberobello (and perhaps even stay in one!)

• Pack a picnic and leave the car behind for a day to spend some time exploring Puglia’s gentle, rolling farmland and beautiful olive groves by bicycle.

• For a superb day out for the whole family, visit the exciting rides and exotic animals at the famous Zoo Safari animal and theme park in Fasano

• Discover an amazing array of bird and marine life amid the pristine coastline and countryside within the coastal nature reserve of Torre Guacato