kawh

We are 3/4 through our month-long trip to Puglia and nearby. I know that several people are planning trips for this summer-- and we just left 2 really, really good accommodations and thought i would post them now, rather than wait for my trip report. These were our first-ever experiences with airbnb and we were nervous... but both of these places were absolute winners.

First-- in Ceglie Messapica-- (well, the outskirts of town) we stayed at Trullo Casedd. We are just 2 adults-- so it might be a bit tight for a family-- but this place was wonderful. We were greeted by the owners (who speak no english-- but their son does the booking communications.) She gave us some of her preserves and some other home-made delights. They showed us around their little farm (they live elsewhere-- but the grandparents were trimming the vines... not sure who lives where.) we picked cherries. The trullo itself is the real deal. Behind a tacky green fence is an old man who lives in another Trullo; they are not for show. It was comfortable and spacious and had a little kitchen. Bed was comfy. This was the one place my hubbie really did not want to leave. We absolutely loved Ceglie Messapica-- it is little and just amazing. More about that in our trip report. We really could have stayed 2 weeks... barely scratched the surface of the area. So-- on top of the wonderful Trullo-- our host brought us dinner the 2nd night. ridiculously kind. all home made-- seriously the best fugazze we have ever had-- chewey, crunchy and little burnt crust moments. also brought 2 bottles of wine that hubbie made. really beyond. i will say-- there is no internet-- and we were really twitching to get online after a few nights there. Still-- the washing machine they had made up for it!!!

Our second experience with airbnb was also superior. We stayed at Due Gatonni (not sure they call it that online-- it just says' loft in sassi- cathedral area) on Via San Giacomo in Matera-- in the heart of the old city... nice kitchen, amazing view from the front balcony, Really nice hosts-- and just the perfect spot for us. It is about a 5 minute walk up the steep steps from the parking area--- but most of Matera is like that. It's just two doors down form the MUSMA museum... and at 40E a night-- we had money left over to take a soak at the fancy terme San Martino. More on Matera later--

Just wanted to post these two places-- because we were delighted with both. As I said-- it was our first experience with this company and don't know if we were just lucky .... have one more when we go to Bologna-- so fingers crossed.

Loving Puglia. Have never had such rewarding food adventures.
Report will follow in a few weeks.
kawh

annhig

thanks for posting kawh.

it's nice to know that there are still some bargains out there!

ekscrunchy

Reading this makes me long to be there with you. Many thanks for checking in with those tips.
I sounds like you found Matera to be as magical as we did. And great news about your stay in Ceglie, too.

Will eagerly await further news!

kybourbon

Is there an advantage to using AirBnB over booking directly?

jamikins

Thanks so much, we are heading there next month!! Can't wait for your report!

HG001London

thanks too, we are off a week today so super excited!!

how is the weather at the moment?

We are hoping to make use of our pool but not sure it will be warm enough

jubilada

kawh, thanks for pointing me towards this. Both places sound wonderful. My partner has set her heart on staying at San Martino, therme and all.
But the trulli sounds like a great deal for that area.

kawh

jubilada- we LOVE going to the termes and this is often the focus of our trips. if you are up north-- padova is a fantastic city. and when you buy a 'padova card' for 17E you get 2 days of transportation and entrance to many sites-- and we used it to go to a fancy terme just outside of town. get this-- the terme accepts the card and gave us each a 1/2 hour massage and use of the terme for the day!! (robes and all) now that was a bargain and an amazing day!!

annhig

nice tip, kawh.

not something I've ever done myself, but who knows? perhaps on my next trip i'll give it a try.

jubilada

This will just be a puglia trip. Did you go to Santa Cesarea de terme?

kawh

jubilada- yes -- if you look at my trip report, i mention it. we went and really liked the little town right at the sea. however, it was a sunday and it was closed!!! we were really sorry about that... i had actually written to the city and t.i. a couple of times, but they never answered... so we just headed for the coast on a sunday. we definitely smelled the baths in the bath house-- high sulphide level.