Puglia Accommodation Recommendations Needed
 

I have done some research on the board but still have unanswered questions. We will be in Puglia the beginning of August, 2013--the hot, busy season, I know, but sometimes you do what you must do. We will be 2 adults and 2 15 year old boys and therein is the problem. We would like a place with a pool and within walking distance of a village or in a village so that the boys can go off on their own sometimes--both speak Italian fluently. Also, close enough to a beach for them. A/C would be nice for August. Of course, we need a place with two bedrooms and, ideally, self-catering but that isn't a must. If not self-catering, breakfast would be necessary. We may need to go with two separate rooms if in a B&B or hotel.

Lecce, Ostuni are appealing but other areas are certainly on the table. We will be there a week so two locations would work well. Excellent food experiences is important--isn't it always? We would like to stay below €1500 for the week in accommodations (far less would be nice.)

We have lived in Italy and have traveled in the country many times; however, Puglia will be a new experience and one we look forward to. Thanks for any help and suggestions.

JaneLP: I would encourage you to do a search here for the many recent threads about Puglia. There are less about self-catering than about hotels/B&Bs, but I do remember a trip report or two that might contain some nuggets of information for you.

I will take my third trip to the area in september and will be happy to help with sightseeing and restaurants once you get your accommodation settled. But since I've always stayed in hotels, I don't have much info on rentals properties..

Take a look at this trip report, for example, which includes details on a rental house with pool:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...at-through.cfm

many of the masserie have bikes for loan or rent as a way for the boys ot get into town.

As eks says, there are several recent helpful trip reports to start from.

Thanks ekscrunchy and Jubilada for ideas. I have read your report ekscrunchy and the one you linked to and will definitely use the restaurant recs. Food is obviously a focus. Question: What do you know about or think of the Torchiarolo area. Is it a good base location or should we be looking elsewhere? Thanks again

We stayed here in June and it was a few km from mesagne and had a pizza place between the town and the masseria: http://www.masseriabaroninuovi.it/en/

They may have bikes to get into town.

You may be interested in our trip report: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...t-do-italy.cfm

We stayed at a beautiful masseria called Abate this past September. It is within walking distance of Noci which is called the gastronomic captial of Puglia. The masseria is comprised of refurbished trulli and they have several sizes which could accommodate your family. They also have a good sized pool and full service restaurant: http://www.abatemasseria.it/en/
You are also in close proximity to the towns of Alberobello, Martina Franca, Polignare a Mare and Taranto. We thought the location could not be beat for a first time visit to Puglia!

Angela_m,
We had considered Abate but it loks like the rooms have no natural light as is true with many trulli.
Is this impression true?

I had thought about staying in Abate for our first night of an upcoming trip, since it is near the airport and looks lovely, but I decided against it. It does seem like an inviting place, though, with at least one renowned restaurant nearby.

See if this thread is any help:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ded-please.cfm

Janelp, just to give you another option. Do a web search for Polignano a Mare. Its a sea side village located between Bari and Monopoli. Check out the "image results" and then check out the site for apartment rentals. We spent a total of five years living about 30 miles south of here between 61 and 67. but never visited this location. Looks wonderful,but a car is a must, along with A/C. Of course Aug is when most Italians take their vacation and head to the beaches and to the middle class Italians, and locals the southern Italian beaches are compared to the Riviera. Pay close attention to the photos showing how crowded the beach can be and go prepared with that in mind. Sounds like a small town your sons would love, and within reasonalbe driving distance of most of the sites you may want to visit. Regardless of where you stay, have a great vacation. PS. Since it will be very crowded, make reservations early before choice locations are taken.

> Do a web search for Polignano a Mare. Its a sea side village located between Bari and Monopoli.... Looks wonderful,but a car is a must

I believe that Polignano a Mare is on a main train route. At least it was a few years ago.

thank you all for taking the time to respond to my questions. I have checked some of these locations but will now go back to them. I am very interested in this place http://www.andiamoinpuglia.co.uk/cas...glia/casa-mare

That looks lovely.

It sure does! It seems to be very heavily booked. Are there reviews?