We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. Our host Mino was very helpful and responsive to any request we had from day one. Mino also provided numerous suggestions for eating and exploring.
The villa is very private with a lovely pool secluded among many olive trees. There are many areas to eat, bbq, drink and relax at the villa including a natural grotto/cave in the rock. The accommodation suited us well - a family of 5 with 3 children aged 13, 11 & 9. A separate (v cool, we didn’t need air conditioning) bedroom with an ensuite bathroom for the adults which had a separate entrance across the patio (3 metres away) from the main kitchen and bedroom with its own larger ensuite bathroom - not an issue for us as the villa and surroundings felt very safe and secure. It is quite off the beaten track so a car is essential (that’s the only reason for only 4 stars for location) but it’s a very easy 2 hour drive from Bari Airport. There are 2 big supermarkets less than a mile away and one open late on a Sunday which was useful. Poggiardo has a market and is a nice, if slightly sprawling, small town with a few shops, a great pizzeria and pasticceria and other local eateries which we didn’t have time to explore. Trattoria Picolà in Spongnano (10 minute) drive is well worth a visit.
This part of Puglia is much less developed than the further north area closer to Bari and seems part abandoned part under development but it’s a very authentic experience. Mino was super helpful suggesting restaurants and beaches nearby but it’s also worth the effort to see Sant’Andrea for rock jumping, Lecce, Otranto, Santa Maria De Leuca and the Ionian coast (Maldives of Salento) & Gallipoli. All are no more than an hour’s drive away. Otranto, in the old town within the historic fort, is great for drinks and dinner or a late stroll and ice cream on the ramparts – our pick of the cities!
We loved staying here and would highly recommend the Villa and location for any family or group who are adventurous and want to explore the far south. You can of course spend every day by the pool!
