VALLE D'ITRIA - This area is mainly well-known as the land of stones and trulli. The trulli are the typical cone-shaped buildings made of dry stones scattered all over this green hilly valley. The landscape is dotted with olive groves, almonds, cherries and vineyards, producing D.O.C. and D.O.P. extra-virgin olive oil and red & white wines.


MARTINA FRANCA  - 14 kms. (7 miles)- It is a very elegant town with many baroque and rococo buildings, including the fine 17th cent. Palazzo, now the townhall. It is also world wide known for its music festival which takes place between mid July and early August, a feast for classical music and opera lovers

 

CISTERNINO - Situated at 18Kms. (9 miles) from our property, on a small east bound hill, is a small cozy and artistic place. This town overlooking the Itria valley is decorated by original roman as well as baroque buildings. Narrow roads, staircases and arches give the town a unique, almost Geek, atmosphere with a maze of many white terraced houses. It is at its best in the evening, with pavement cafes and a vibrant night life.


CASTELLANA GROTTE - At 12 Kms. (6 miles) created on the carsic area of great interest, has the largest and most interesting grottos in Italy.
They have been discovered in 1938 and offer the visitors a wonderful underground itinerary. Multilingual guided tours all year round. Take along some warm pull even in summer time..



CASTEL DEL MONTE - 80 Kms. (40 miles). Set on the top of a hill surrounded by woods, this unique magic castle dating back to 1240 represents one of the most significative examples of the Norman king Friederic II’s architectural genius. Probably his hunting manor, the building, octagonal shaped with eight towers, is still today a fascinating mistery..


ALBEROBELLO - 3 Kms. (1 mile) the capital of the trulli where the highest concentration of trulli can be admired. Originally built on two hills straddling a river valley, the closely-knit trulli houses on either side of what is now a centre for the cultural life of the town present an unforgettable experience. This unique setting of ancient trulli dating back to the 16th cent., has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.The two old quarters of the town- Rione Monti and Rione Aia Piccola- with about 1,500 trullo houses lined up along narrow steepy roads, attracts many visitors all year round.The status of Alberobello means
a range of tourist facilities are on offer like a good choice of restaurants and frequent evening events in the summer festivals, starting from mid-July.


OSTUNI - 25 Kms. (12 miles)- In the middle of a land full of century-old olive groves, between land and sea, it has a stunning setting on a hilltop overlooking the plain below and the Adriatic sea. It is called the “white town” because of all its white-washed houses grasped along the three-stored hill. Ostuni is protected by medieval walls and towers and full of narrow little mazes, leading to the 15th cent. cathedral on top of the main hill.



LOCOROTONDO- 6 Kms. (3 miles)-  It is a hilltop town of remarkable circular design (its name means "round place") with whitewashed houses in the "centro storico" , a late Gothic church and stunning views over the Itria valley. It is well known for its white wines.





LECCE - 110 Kms. (55 miles)- It is most wellknown for its elegant baroque buildings and churches, although it has remains dating back to Roman times and beyond. At least one full day is needed for visiting this beautiful town and its surroundings.





SASSI DI MATERA - At about 60Kms. (30 miles) in
the nearby Basilicata region, famous for its ancient rupestrian stone dwellings and the tiny interesting historic centre. Excellent genuine home-made food in the typical friendly “trattorias”-little town restaurants, tasted by the actor Mel Gibson while filming “The Passion of Christ” in 2004.





CONVERSANO - 20 kms. (10 miles)- not far from Castellana, standing on a hill overlooking the Adriatic. It has a very attractive old town centre, with an interesting Duomo dating to the 14th cent. in Apulian Romanesque style, and an older Benedictine monastery. Outside the Norman castle walls the sea can be seen from the three lined terrace.




PUTIGNANO- 12 Kms. (6miles)- IIt is one of the most economically organized among the towns in the province of Bari. It has a well-preserved old town set on 372 m. above the sea level. Famous for its historic Carnival, which as from 2006 will take place also in mid July..






POLIGNANO A MARE - 32 Kms. (15 miles)- On a gorgeous series of steepy cliffs its houses overlook the clear Adriatic sea set on different beathtaking terraces. The well kept old town offers an unforgettable memory to the visitors.






BEACH - FAt 22 Kms. (11 miles) the Adriatic coast can be easily reached by a 30 minutes drive , while the unspoiled Jonic beaches are about 40 Kms. (20 miles) away.