Puglia

The region of Puglia, stretching down into the heel of Italy, is one of the country's best-kept secrets. A unique location for weddings and honeymoons, it offers a true slice of Italian authenticity. Like the discrete elite from Milan and Rome, once you have discovered Puglia you will fall in love with the people, the beaches, the whitewashed "trulli" towns and the rolling countryside with its olive groves and vineyards. With more sunshine hours than the north, the region has a slower but endearing pace of living with the "pennichella" (siesta) as part of the daily routine. After a long lunch and a glass of "primitivo", the shops close and silence falls until late afternoon. Around 6pm, the cobbled streets come to life once more and there is a hubbub in even the smallest village as people take the "passegiata".

The unique character of Puglia is closely tied to its turbulent history. Over the last 2000 years, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans and Spaniards have all occupied the region and left their mark in the architecture, culture and food. Indeed Greek and Albanian are still spoken in certain parts of the region.

Capital of Puglia, is the large city of Bari. Flights from the UK, arrive here and Brindisi, over 100km south) and it is worth visiting the magnificent Basilica di San Nicola in the historic centre before heading into the countryside.

The climate in Puglia is sunny all year round with soaring temperatures in July and August. For a wedding, the best seasons are from March until mid-July and September to the end of November. However, when the heat is on, the beach is never more than 20 minutes drive away from most of our properties. Amongst our favourite beaches are Lido Bizzaro with its long stretch of powdery white sand and the sandy coves at Torre Canne. For the style conscious, Polignano a Mare, perched on cliffs has a romantic setting and oozes with chic.

Central Puglia - Itria Valley

Our venues in Central Puglia are located around the beautiful Valle d'Itria (Itria Valley) known for the limestone "trulli", small whitewashed houses with conical shaped roofs. Set in a stunning landscape of vineyards, fruit orchards and olive groves, the valley is also scattered with "masserie". Many of these grand farmhouses, once belonging to the land-owning gentry, have been transformed into stylish boutique hotels. Most are still complete with their original walled gardens and citrus orchards. And nearly every "masseria" has its own wonderful fresh produce from their surrounding agricultural estate.

A UNESCO heritage site, Alberobello is the most impressive of the "trulli" towns. Set on a hill overlooking the Valle d'Itria, the view over the sea of 1000 trulli houses spread below is breathtaking.

At Locorotondo you can sample the local white wine while Martina Franca is a monument to Baroque architecture with its splendid Palazzo Ducale. A little more off-the-beaten track, Luna Rosa has discovered a beautiful property in the charming town of Conversano. Yet to be put on the tourist trail, the town has a spectacular Norman castle and a cathedral complete with its original 11th century cloisters. Hidden away inside the castle walls is a fantastic local restaurant, lit at night by real flame torches.

Other towns in the Itria Vally include Ostuni, 40km north of Brindisi and close to some fine beaches. Known as "La Citta' Bianca" (the White City), its whitewashed buildings can be seen from miles away. Explore the narrow winding streets, lined with boutiques, cafes and restaurants, not missing the Chiesa delle Monacelle. Nearby, the town of Grotte Castellana is also worth visiting for its vast underground caverns.

Southern Puglia - Salento

The Salento area has a rocky coastline, dotted with inlets and harbours with a typical Mediterranean fauna. Lecce is at the northern extremity of the Salento area, 40km south of Brindisi. This stunning city is renowned for its Baroque churches and architecture. It also has a large amphitheatre and as you walk through the town you will find numerous craft workshops. Papier mache sculptures are a local speciality and make great souvenirs.

Travelling south of Lecce into the Salento, other tourists become increasingly rare. First stop is the small town of Otranto with its pretty little harbour. The cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata here has an exuberant mosaic floor while the Aragonese castle is picture perfect, especially when floodlit at night.

Capo d'Otranto is the easternmost point of Italy and on a clear day it is possible to see the Albanian coastline. Further down the coast, you arrive at the lovely fishing village of Castro. Divided into two, Castro Marina is situated in one of the most beautiful bays on the coast while Castro Alto, the ancient town has panoramic views with its 16th century castle and 12th century cathedral. Gallipoli is another port town with a lovely "centro storico", this time with a distinctly Greek feel. Amongst the maze of whitewashed streets, fishermen sit mending their nets - you'll find it hard to believe that you are still in Italy!

Further Greek influences are found in the inland town of Galatina. A typical Salentine town, founded by Byzantine settlers, Greek is still spoken by some of the older inhabitants. Galatina also has a wonderful historic centre with beautiful buildings, including the church of Santa Caterina di Alessandria, which dates back to 1384.

Travelling along the Ionian coast, white sandy beaches are lapped by the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea. Porta Cesareo has an especially beautiful beach while the fishing village of Santa Caterina is a must for its "gelateria" (ice cream shop). Just north of the small bay here, the nature reserve or Porto Selvaggio is covered in pines and cypresses offering wonderful opportunities for coastal walks.

One of the most popular resorts on this stretch of the coast is the thermal spa town of Santa Cesarea Terme. Hot spring water rises from the cliff above the sea, famed for their therapeutic qualities.