Puglia
Puglia may not be the first place that springs to mind when booking a luxury family holiday in Italy, but many are quickly switching on to the gorgeous, relatively empty beaches and stunning countryside that defines this southern Italian corner. The local Apulians are warm, the rustic food will delight, and there is some seriously sensational luxury accommodation that welcomes guests both big and small. If you like your wine there are some wonderful local vineyards to visit, golf lovers will be more than happy with the variety of courses and children will, of course, delight at the miles of sandy shoreline that beckons with beach activities and endless sun.
Trullo Falcone
Trullo Falcone is located in Alberobello, Puglia, and consists of beautifully restored trullo and lamia - traditional stone buildings.
Located in Alberobello, Puglia is Trullo Falcone. This beautifully restored trullo and lamia - traditional stone buildings - are located in picturesque countryside near the towns of Alberobello and Martina Franca, amongst olive trees and typical Mediterranean plants. The house itself has a nice clean designer look...
Baby-friendly / Pre-Teen friendly / Summer Sun / See this Villa & Book »
Trullo Nocino
Trullo Nocino is a charming, traditional local house known as a trullo, with wonderful grounds and a large private pool.
Trullo Nocino is a charming, traditional local house known as a trullo, with wonderful grounds and a large private pool designed to make the most of outdoor life in the excellent climate and landscape of Puglia. It has three bedrooms and comfortably sleeps five people. The pool is large and has decking and...
Baby-friendly / Pre-Teen friendly / Summer Sun / See this Villa & Book »
Trullo Ninibello
Trullo Ninibello is a lovely restored Trullo set on a peaceful hillside near the town of Cisternino, Puglia with delightful views of the surrounding countryside.
Trullo Ninibello is a lovely restored Trullo set on a peaceful hillside near the town of Cisternino, Puglia with delightful views of the surrounding countryside. It has a bright, summery decor throughout. The large, salt water swimming pool has been designed with a tasteful and convenient beach-style entry, ideal for...
Baby-friendly / Pre-Teen friendly / Summer Sun / See this Villa & Book »
Trulli Pietra Dorata
Trulli Pietra Dorata is a beautifully restored home set in the Apulian countryside of Valle d’Itria between the famous and historic towns of Cisternino, Martina Franca and Ostuni.
Trulli Pietra Dorata is set in the Apulian countryside amongst the gentle hills of the Valle d’Itria, between the famous and historic towns of Cisternino, Martina Franca and Ostuni, making it the perfect base from which to explore this magical region. Trulli Pietra Dorata consists of several buildings lovingly...
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Borgo Egnazia
Justin Timberlake married Jessica Biel at The Borgo Egnazia with good reason. A limestone estate of stunning comfort and luxury in the heart of Puglia’s countryside.
Borgo Egnazia appears seemingly out of nowhere. A short drive down a dusty little Italian country road and its off-white façade suddenly appears as if out of magic from within the olive trees and citrus groves. Only finished in 2011, it actually looks as though it’s an original Italian Borgo (meaning village) that...
Baby-friendly / Family-friendly Spa / Pre-Teen friendly / See this Hotel & Book »Osteria del Tempo Perso
Via G. Tanzarella Vitale, 47, Ostuni
Ostuni is a stunning whitewashed city and well-worth a day trip. While there we recommend the Osteria del Tempo Perso for lunch or dinner. It will strike you as very dark if you walk in from the bright sunshine, because it’s located in a cave submerged below ground level. But the experience is unique, and a nod to the area’d medieval history which makes it fun for children. Osteria del Tempo Perso is famous the area over for its fantastic and very extensive antipasti.
Osteria Perreci
Via Orazio Comes 1, Monopoli
Puglia isn’t short on family-run, very family-friendly trattorias so feel free to walk into any that appeal. If you want a recommendation, however, Osteria Perreci is an excellent option. The menu is loaded with classics such as fruit de mar platters, pasta and fish. This is home cooking as one imagines it to be: cooked with local, fresh ingredients in an unpretentious and welcoming trattoria.
Osteria Gia Sotto L’arco
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 71, Carovigno
Located in an eighteenth century Carovigno building and running as Osteria Gia Sotto L’arco since the 1950’s, this family-run Apulian favourite serves traditional local cuisine with a slightly contemporary twist. The menu changes often and there is a whole section dedicated just to local cheeses, as well as desserts. There is a winery, too. Though comparatively elegant, this is Italy so children are always welcome.
Alberobello
Gazing at local architecture might not sound like something that will appeal to children, but the “trull” houses across Puglia – little cylindrical roofed cottages that smack of fairytales and date back to the Middle Ages – are magical and children seem to love them. Alberobello has a particularly large number so it’s a wonderful place to spend a day.
Torre Guaceto
Just north of Brindisi is Torre Guaceto, a nature reserve and protected marine area with six kilometres of uncontaminated coastline, coves and paths leading through ancient olive groves and woodland, all ripe for exploration. Take a picnic and make this a day trip. If you are travelling with little ones that don’t – or won’t – walk far, there is a small train to take you to the beaches, some of which have lido facilities. And for bigger kids and adults there is mountain bike hire available at the main info point.
Puglia's caves
The Grotta Zinzulusa is located on the south-east Adriatic coast near Castro and it’s essentially 150 metres of easily accessible caves covered in stalactites and stalagmites. And there is also Grotte Castellana, just north of Alberobello, which is a series of vast caves that run across three kilometres and run 70 metres underground. More suitable with older children, obviously.
Zoo Safari at Fasano
The Zoo Safari at Fasano in the Valle d’Itria has an impressive variety of animals to see. Some can be seen from your car, others only by foot, and there is an electric train to take families around certain parts of the zoo. Special shows are organised with penguins and dolphins and there is also an amusement park with rides for children of all ages. You can easily spend a day here as there are lots of facilities for food and drinks.
About
Dial 112 or 118 for an ambulance. Most hospitals in Italy have English-speaking doctors and Puglia is no exception. Bari has two notable large hospitals: Anthea srl (Via Camillo Rosalba 35-37; +39 (0)080 564 4111) and La Madonnina (Via Pasteur 18; +39 (0)080 562 5111).
When to go
There isn’t really a bad time to visit Puglia. Being down in the south, the summers are hot and, therefore, the area is much more heavily populated. If you aren’t attached to school holidays, the winter can be a wonderful time to visit, too. The sea might be too cold for swimming in but the local food will delight, the area will be quieter and you’ll enjoy fantastic rates.
Currency
Euro
Language
Italian