About this property
Combining the charm of traditional Trulli houses with contemporary elegance, Villa Amica is comfortably nestled in southern Italy’s glorious Puglia region and offers an authentic experience for the most discerning holiday-goers.
The unique property is located on the peninsula, taking in sunlight all day long, and is surrounded by gardens and terraces with a cinematic view over the green valley below. Guests can choose between the main villa – a white-washed cubist house designed in a rectangular shape with steps leading onto the roof – and the ancient, square-shaped building called a ‘Lamia’ in the local dialect. The main villa is open plan with a sun-flooded living room, sleek kitchen and five steps leading up to a master bedroom complete with vaulted ceilings and large windows that look out to the vineyards and olive trees. Downstairs, the four beds inspired by wagon lifts are the perfect place for children and teenagers who wish to relax uninterrupted.
But it is outdoors where the real magic happens. Retreat to the veranda which connects the two houses together, and enjoy a glass of wine and antipasti while watching the sun soften over the rural landscape. There are many spots to soak up the sunshine – notably, the infinity-style pool is surrounded by a large terrace with sun loungers and a shaded pergola. Alternatively, grab your favourite book and secure a spot at the vantage point – with rustic Trulli houses below offering a unique panorama, getting lost in a romantic novel will be easier than ever.
Known for its olive oil, crisp wine and limestone cliffs framing the sparkling turquoise ocean, the Apulian region feels like an island. The Itria Valley where Villa Amica resides spreads over the provinces of Bari, Brindisi and Taranto and is home to established estates, vineyards and rolling grazing areas offering hours of uninterrupted exploring while also being close to the dazzling coastline. The closest village is only a 5-minute drive away, conveniently located for a morning coffee and pastry from one of the family-owned bakeries or an afternoon stroll through cobbled alleyways and backstreets that almost always ends with an Aperol Spritz in the sun.
Visiting Ostuni, with its white citadel on top of a hill, must be on your bucket list, being only a 15-minute drive away. And just over a 30-minute drive away, Monopoli is a charming seaside town populated with shops and gorgeous buildings in a historical centre which faces the sea.
Villa Amica is nestled in the rural fields and farmlands of Apulia, the heel of the Italian boot caught between the Adriatic and the Ionian Sea. Sprinkled all over with Trulli houses and close to many notable cities, charismatic villages, and the lush Adriatic coastline, it’s an excellent base for exploring this region.
Take a short drive or a scenic walk to Cisternino to stock up on fresh produce – in the mornings local women sell homemade maccheroni and orecchiette pasta on the streets alongside fresh vine tomatoes – before settling down in one of its many cafeterias for a refreshing affogato. This town was listed as one of the most beautiful small towns in Italy, and is only 2km away.
The closest city is Ostuni, located just over 15 minutes drive away. It is filled with boutique hotels, shops and Michelin-starred restaurants, such as Osteria del Tempo Perso, set in a giant cave. Get lost in a labyrinth of arched alleyways and lime-washed houses while admiring its many ancient churches and typically white-painted architecture.
In sun-washed Puglia, the warm glow of summer kicks in long before the high season, and the best places to enjoy the Italian sunshine are undoubtedly located on the east coast. Both Monopoli and Polignano e Mare are just over half an hour’s drive away and have a rugged coastline full of mysterious coves, limestone cliffs and pretty town centres made for wandering around. The unesco World Heritage Site Alberobello is less than 30 minutes drive away and is filled with 1500 Trulli houses where you can find out more about Puglia’s fascinating history.
In just one hour by car, you can visit the red-stone Aragonese Castle standing on a small island at Brindisi harbour’s entrance and the Monumento al Marinaio d’Italia – a rudder-shaped limestone memorial to sailors with breath-taking views.
Known for its baroque architecture and Roman ruins, Lecce is also a one-hour drive away, making it an ideal one-day city break. Stroll around its cobbled alleyways and take in the ancient atmosphere in its historic centre, with the Basilica di Santa Croce not to be overlooked – carved and sculpted in a wealth of fauna and flora, it offers panoramic views over the historic centre when you climb all the way to the top. From here, you can admire the town’s many squares, domes and the ancient Roman amphitheatre before descending again to explore an array of delicious restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
The region’s capital city, Bari, can also be reached in one hour by car and is full of traditional restaurants, bars, trendy shops and local lidos offering the ultimate amalgamation of southern Italy’s culture.
Accommodation
Villa Interior (120m2)
Ground floor (Main Villa)
- Living room with a sofa and dining table seating eight guests
- Kitchen with a hob, oven, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, kettle, toaster and coffee machine
- Doors leading to the outside terrace
First Floor (Main Villa)
- Master bedroom with a double bed, desk and en-suite bathroom with a large tub, overhead rain shower and WC
Lower Ground Floor (Main Villa)
- Four wagon-style bunk beds
- Bathroom with a shower and WC
Ground Floor (Lamia)
- Bedroom with twin bed that can be joined into a double bed
- Small open-plan kitchen with hob and sink
- Bathroom with a shower and WC
Outside Grounds
- Private pool (14m x 3.5m) open from approximately May to end-October
- Garden
- Pool furniture
- Patio furniture
- Covered pergola with lounge furniture
- Hammock
- Outdoor dining table seating eight guests
- Barbeque
- Private parking
- Private vineyard
- Vegetable garden
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Cable/Satellite TV
- CD stereo player
- Air-conditioning
- Central heating
- Desk
- Washing machine
- Hairdryer