Out of Office: Notes from Apulia
Looking for new regions and destinations to explore in Italy? Our villa experts dive deep into the heart of local culture to give you the best tips on dining, sightseeing, and more.
Wondering how we get our incredible travel tips? Through posts like these. As our experts visit the destinations throughout our portfolio, they divulge special tidbits – like the best activities, newest attractions, their new favorite villas, and more – all while supplying both us (and you) with an insider’s account to the area.
Destination: Apulia, Italy
Where We Stayed:
Villa Leonda – This unique historical manor is the ultimate home-away-from-home. Featuring timeless and elegant interiors, you’ll delight in many artistic and collector’s pieces you won’t find elsewhere. The staff is phenomenal, the chef is more than willing to accommodate any wishes and requests. Best of all? Guests enjoy private beach club access to relax and unwind in exclusive privacy.
Villa Taras – This villa is absolutely perfect for large groups and gatherings. It has three unique pools, a vegetable garden (that’s stunning, by the way), and three different buildings to accommodate up to 24 people. It’s a paradise for both kids and adults to relax and unwind together, and its central location near Ostuni can’t be beat if you want to explore nearby villages.
What We Saw:
Are you a foodie? Then this is your paradise. We dove headfirst into an olive oil tasting in an historic masseria. They produced organic olives from more than 200 trees, and traditionally harvested them from centuries-old plants. We sampled flavorful oils that truly embodied the essence of Puglia, leaving us completely speechless.
We then indulged in both cheese and wine – what could be better? A local cheesemaker showed us how fresh burrata and ricotta are made and treated us to a sampling of some of the freshest cheeses. To top it all off, we visited a local winery producing, among its wines, local Primitivo and Nero di Troia. It was the perfect backdrop for a flawless sunset with great company.
Where We Ate: Osteria del Tempo Perso
Located in the heart of Ostuni, known as the “white city,” this gem is located at the top of the town near an enchanting cathedral. Specializing in locally-sourced seasonal dishes, we enjoyed mushroom cardoncelli in bread crust, perfectly seasoned and savory. Another must-try is was the Orechiette with turnip top and toasted breadcrumbs.
Why Apulia?
With a rich history that spans across millennia and over 500 miles of coastline, the enchanting region of Apulia is a dream destination where Italian hospitality is enjoyed all year round. It is located in the south-east of the Italian boot and features a pleasant climate perfect for harvesting olives and grapes, an activity that locals have elevated to art.
Daily excursions unveil new sights, sounds, and flavors at every corner, and every meal will be a trip for the taste buds with the impressive selection of local food specialties Apulia has to offer.