Land of the Trulli

Discover the history, traditions and unique flavors of the land to the south east of Bari From the portual city of Monopoli, with its castle and city walls on the sea, there are spectacular and enchanting Castellana Caves, karstic complex that you can visit in a guided tour of 3 km among multicolor stalatthytis and stalagmythis, caves and formations with mythologic names until you reach the "White Cave", the most beautiful cave on the planet.

Conversano will fascinate your spirits with its legend related to the famous and dreadful Earl Giangirolamo, and will conquer your heart with its castle, siege of a strong and powerful county, its churches, its palaces and alleys; Polignano a mare will offer a breathtaking scenery for an unforgettable evening with its historic centre "on the sea", the wonderful Palazzese cave, the balconies and the nice nightlife ambiance.

One can visit the archaeologic site of Egnazia, with its acropolys, its necropolis, the ancient Trajan Way remainings, and also go through the 400 meters high "Selva di Fasano", overlooking panoramic scenery made by trulli, fields and beaches. And from Locorotondo, named this way because of its white houses arranged in concentric circles, you will finally reach the heart of the "Land of Trulli", Alberobello. Its historic centre, unique for its typical houses called "Trulli", part of UNESCO heritage, will frame out the end of this great experience to tell and relive.

Interested in a tour?  Contact  http://www.discoverypuglia.com/en/tour-offer/theme-tours/south-east-of-bari

Noblesse Oblige - Apulian Castles

Dreaming of a kingly experience? Discover the most fascinating castles of Puglia!

Let the mystery of Castel del Monte unfold, summer residence of Frederick II of Swabia and today part of the UNESCO heritage, built according to astrological calculations that have not been unveiled yet.  The wonderful area of Barletta, known for the Disfida, battle between French and Italians in 1503, for its cathedral and its majestic castle wait for discovery.  Through Bisceglie, one can go south to the castle and the old city of the Apulian capital Bari, well known for its St Nicholas, worshipped by Catholics and Ortodox. Then the infamous earl of Conversano will capture your attention with his legends whilst in Monopoli one can walk between the castle and the sea.

Part of the Apulian experience, one can also enjoy the area around Brindisi with the fortress of Carovigno and a visit to the Messapian centre of Mesagne, the fairy tale city of Oria, and the massive castle of Massafra will complete your appetite to be king of your holiday!

Interested in a tour?  contact -  http://www.discoverypuglia.com/en/tour-offer/theme-tours/noblesse-oblige

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The Secret Pearls Of Lecce, Apulia

The elegant seduction of Lecce's baroque will make you live a crescendo of emotions in a fabulous long weekend.

Take a brief stop in Conversano, where the nuns of the Crucified keep the little gem of the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian, stroll through the streets of Martina Franca, which will frame the evening. Enjoy a pleasant walk in Massafra which, with its clock tower, the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Scala and the Monastery of St. Benedict, will prelude the apex of your trip: Lecce.

The extreme adaptability of that particular stone, used to decorate those monuments, allowed architects and artists to build these unique masterpieces: the Basilica of Santa Croce, the church of S. Irene, the Duomo, Piazza Sant'Oronzo and patrician houses of the city will be the setting for an enjoyable day of beauty and artistic culture.

Admire Corigliano d'Otranto, with its noble palaces, Melpignano, home of the famous Night of Taranta, Galatina with its Mother Church, superb example of Baroque art, and finally the beautiful Nardo', rich in baroque examples including baroque Piazza Salandra, the city palace and the church of San Domenico, a worthy completion of this journey into the fascinating subtleties of Lecce's Baroque.

You can do all this and more - http://www.discoverypuglia.com/en/tour-offer/theme-tours/secret-pearls.

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Where is the second best coast in Italy?

With 180 kms of coastline and 26 seaside resorts, LE MARCHE was awarded no less than 16 Blue Flag Awards for 2011!

Blue Flag Awards recognise an area that meets exceptionally high standards, testing the quality of the water, the natural clean environment and many other related services.

From Gabicce Mare to San Benedetto del Tronto, the forms and colours of the coastal landscape are constantly changing. The white cliffs facing onto the Adriatic Sea alternate with the deep green of the hills, spotted with the venerable villages and the ochre hue of the long beaches. The coast runs along in two straight and almost perfectly flat portions divided by the Monte Conero promontory.

Those in the know come to Le Marche in search of authentic Italy, idyllic scenery of snow capped peaks, rolling hills and meadows of olive groves and vineyards with its fair share of charming old villages.

Now there is another reason to come to Le Marche – its fabulous award winning beaches, from the lively seaside resort of Pesaro to the smaller resorts such as pretty Sirolo on the Conero peninsula.

Ask our experts about Le Marche. http://www.paradisepossible.com/


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Italian honeymoons that are just beachy

With the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge making the Seychelles their choice for a honeymoon, suddenly beach destinations have become the hottest spots to celebrate the first few days of wedded bliss. Here we explore our top four picks for an Italian style beach honeymoon that goes beyond peachy – they are what we call simply “beachy.”

Picking the right beach for your needs in Italy can be somewhat difficult as there are so many to choose from however here are our top “romantic” Italian beaches….and yes it was very difficult to choose.

Salina, one of the Aeolian islands is a lava beach and sea which is simply beautiful.  The water is clean and home to a variety of sea animals, plants and volcanic craters. Rocky rather than sandy with the bay of Pollara as its main centre piece.  Couples can enjoy good food here in the surroundings and take advantage of the natural environment and a bit of unwinding and tranquillity.   If you fancy some partying then check out Panarea or Lipari as it is all going on here in the height of the season, July and August being the main time to dance the night away.

Sardinia is pure bliss and has so many wonderful beaches to offer. It is just so hard to have to pick one so we have selected a few great ones.  The beach of Cala Goloritzè, located along the Sardinian northeastern coast in the north of Arbatax. With a clear bottom and a white pebbled beach.  This is a hard beach to get to and I feel that this adds to its fascination. We nowintroduce you to the Bidderosa beach run by the district of Orosei, a heavenly configuration, accessed via a path filled with eucalyptuses and junipers and to this you can add the scent of wild lilies. The sand is silver in colour, the rocks red and the sea a deep blue and in total there are 5 coves of incredible beauty to discover.  Considered by some to be one of the best in the world. Sardinia also has Cala Luna, white sand backed by high limestone cliffs with blue and clear water which is shallow hence why it is also a great recommendation for families. Not forgetting Cala Fuili and Cala Mariolu.

Capalbio is not only famous for the beauty and charm of its town centre and let me tell you it is truly charming....but also for its splendid beaches and coastline which face the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, one of the most beautiful areas in Tuscany. The Coast of Capalbio is 12 kms long and the beaches are strikingly beautiful with soft dark sand and clear blue water.   The beaches are under environmental protection which restricts the number of people who can be on the beaches at one time. This is because the coasts are part of the Oasis of WWF, which is responsible for the management and protection of environmental treasures.

Fornillo beach is located in a pretty cove in the beautiful village of Positano.  Better off season but still it is sheer heaven. The beach is cuddled by the mountains at the back and then before you, you have the blue waters of the Mediterranean and Li Galli islands while being partly guarded by the 16^th century watchtower.

Have you a favourite Italian Beach - Well please tell us about it....

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A Luxurious Retreat ?

In the days of Caesar and Marcus Aurelius, this “seaside resort” was the 'in' place to be where Roman emperors would come to relax and ease away the worries of the Empire.

How it has all changed and there is very little to enthuse you in the area and it is only when you get to the villa that you absorb a hint of the past grandeur.

This is where John Paul Getty came to in the 1960s and restored this villa to its former glory bringing with him his assorted range of treasures. While restoring the villa, the ruins of a Roman villa  were uncovered and Getty lovingly preserved the ruins and built a small museum in the villa's basement showcasing artifacts found there, including crockery, lamps and makeup tools from the 1st century.  In the 1970s Getty's grandson was kidnapped forcing Getty to leave the country and leaving the villa completely untouched.

Today this villa is a 19-room hotel and bears Getty's heart and soul. Tapestries, antique furniture, paintings, linens……this villa is a fantasy, a serene and heavenly home, somewhere to get away from it all.

An exceptional hotel for exceptional people. For further details please click here. 

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NEW - Guide to Sicily APP released by Think Sicily !

Sicily has never been easier to discover, thanks to the release of Think Sicily's A Portrait of Sicily App, available for both iPhone and iPad.

Brought to you by Think Sicily, provider of the most desirable rental villas in Sicily, A Portrait of Sicily is the most comprehensive iPhone and iPad guide to Italy's largest and most diverse region. Rich, colourful, and informative, A Portrait of Sicily is no ordinary guide, but a highly readable, fully illustrated “aperitif” that will whet your appetite, give you a taste of what Sicily has to offer and help you choose when it's time to order!

With text and photographs produced exclusively by Think Sicily's locally based team of experts, A Portrait of Sicily takes you inside Sicily as it was meant to be explored and gives you the kind of expert advice and guidance that only years of experience and local knowledge can provide.

The App allows users to trace Sicily's rich cultural history using a scrolling timeline, unlock the secrets of the island's historic towns and archaeological sites, find out where the best beaches are, plan fun activities for your children, choose a restaurant for an unforgettable dinner or simply swipe your way through hundreds of stunning full screen photographs brought to life by the bright screen of your iPhone or iPad… A Portrait of Sicily will help users experience all that is best of Sicily.

Says Huw Beaugié, founder and Managing Director of The Thinking Traveller, “A Portrait of Sicily was first published in book form in 2008. Its transformation into an App confirms both our commitment to adding value to our clients' holiday and our desire to keep pushing back the boundaries in the field of luxury villa rental holidays.

“Whether you're already in Sicily and in need of a personal pocket guide, in the midst of planning a Sicilian holiday or simply interested in one of the most fascinating, diverse and beautiful places in the world, A Portrait of Sicily is an invaluable tool.”

Think Sicily's App, A Portrait of Sicily is available free from iTunes.

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Amazing Volcanic Landscape Walking by Andrew Mundy

Highlights of Andrew Mundy's walking in Italy with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays in Sicily, including the formidable Mount Etna, still erupting..... 
He reports back; “I really enjoyed it. Really lovely weather, a pleasant group and lovely walks.” Read on for his highlights of walking this amazing volcanic landscape. Helen, Community Co-ordiantor for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays.

The highlight of my holiday was visiting Mount Etna. Etna was visible from the plane from 500 miles away; a slightly brooding presence with its upper slopes cloaked in snow.

The hotel bus took us up a steep road with hairpin bends; the journey being an experience in itself. We passed through the village of Bronte with its Lord Nelson connections.

The extent of the 2001 / 2002 eruptions and lava flows were evident and made one aware of the sheer force of nature. Etna dominates the island at 3323 metres high. In March there was still snow around so the walk was always going to be interesting.

We started our climb fortified with hot chocolate. The walking was easy with the ground being a mixture of soft snow and volcanic ash.

We climbed to about 2000 metres and rested, taking in the views and just enjoying the fresh air tinged with a slight smell of sulphur. We all enjoyed pointing out where we had walked on other days. It was interesting walking past two craters and looking down into their depths.
We all enjoyed running down a steep path. It was a question of leaning back and just going for it. There was lots of boot emptying at the bottom with black volcanic ash being the main offender.

This holiday has everything: enjoyable walks, and a comfortable hotel with excellent food. It was Easter and the flowers were beautiful, we saw many orchids.
On the free day choices include Syracuse, Taormina or just chilling out. I explored a disused railway line but could have visited the Circumetnea railway which circles the base of Etna.

And every day the delightful chore of watching Carlo making your lunch, he made it into an art form.

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A Perfect Picnic in Puglia: Rosabel Richards

Rosabel Richards has returned from her holiday walking in Italy and sent in this mouth-watering blog! When she travelled to Puglia she was determined to try the famous delicacy Burrata (a specialty cheese) and it sounds like it lived up to all her expectations…

Several guide books to Southern Italy mention a Puglian speciality called Burrata – a mozzarella type cheese with a creamy centre – and, never having heard of it, far less tried it, I was on a mission to find it.

The cheese shop near our hotel in Alberobello did sell Burrata but whenever I went there, I was either too early for the mid morning delivery or too late in the afternoon to get any.

At last I found it in that beautiful city of Ostuni in a small salumeria situated in one of the charming side streets off the main square. Five others from our group were with me and the owner of the shop kindly cut two of the cheeses (they are egg-sized) into pieces and put them on a plate with a knife and fork. Encouraged by his interest we all ordered our lunchtime panini from him. This time the rolls were soft and had olives baked into the centre.

Although it was only 12.15 we sat outside on some steps in the warm spring sunshine and sampled the cheese, which was very mild in flavour with a centre which resembled cottage cheese. One of the group had some raw salad vegetables, another had some strawberries and another popped back into the shop and emerged with a bottle of rose wine and some plastic cups.
We shared this feast and all agreed it had been a delightful picnic, made more enjoyable because it had been so unexpected. Dessert was an ice cream from one of the gelateria in the square and

the owner moved his tables and chairs outside    so that we could continue to sit in the sun.

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31 Blue Flags for Liguria!

The beautiful coastal region of Liguria has been awarded 31 Blue Flags – the highest number of blue flags in Italy. The voluntary eco-label has been awarded to over 3,450 beaches and marinas in 41 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada and the Caribbean. 14 of Liguria's marinas have also been awarded the Blue Flag.

The Blue Flag Programme takes into consideration water quality, environmental education, management and safety, among others.  It works towards sustainable development at beaches and marinas. The Blue Flag is a statement of quality so visitors can be assured of the most crystal clear waters, pristine shores and a welcoming, safe environment.

Pick of the best Blue Flag beaches in Liguria:

Lerici Beach offers a stunning backdrop of green cliffs, crystal clear waters and a charming Italian town bathed in shades of terracotta. The beach is a perfect combination of sandy stretches and rocky cliffs, with views over to the islands of Tino, Tinetto and the distinctive lighthouse on Palmeria. After a day on the glorious beach, head for the town for an aperitif and delicious seafood.  Lerici is perfect for exploring the Riviera east of Genoa, including the magnificent coast of the renowned Cinque Terre.

Check out the ABTOI tour operators for help in planning your fabulous holiday in Liguria http://www.loveitaly.co.uk/regions.php?id=9