Villa Francesca is perfection. We loved the huge jacuzzi bath, exquisite pool, far reaching views, eating on the terrace(s), massive range of lighting options, mammoth clean windows, effective shutters, thoughtful range of novels, DVDs & games, the Lonely Planet guidebook, the Smeg fridge & cooker, the quality towels & loungers, the variety of seating indoor & out, the well-maintained driveway, the secure electronic gates.

Cinzia, the warm, charming & talented private chef, cooked for us on the first & last nights - what a terrific treat & experience, we can’t recommend her enough.

We loved the surrounding, idyllic neighbourhood and seeing how authentic Puglians live. There is life everywhere - olive trees, fruit groves, wildflowers, lizards, scenic trulli, winding roads, young and old Italians.

We did day trips to:

Locorotondo (beautiful. And great drinks, fresh doughnuts and friendly service at the Pasticceria)

Alberobello (very picturesque, a high concentration of trulli)

Monte San Angelo (stunning drive up the mountain, important Catholic pilgrimage site, a church in a cave, great café near the Sanctuary)

Matera (JAW DROPPING!!!!! And drive across to Belverdere - instructions in the Lonely Planet - for even more awe-inspiring views. Really, these are ‘pinch me’ scenes. And hike down the gorge too, we loved it, we followed an apparent dead-end dirt track from just in front of the monastery, bordered on the right by olive trees - find the rough details in the Lonely Planet)

Pogliano A Mare (friendly, close, pretty town; even better from the water)

Pompeii (3.5hrs drive one-way, but the ancient site is very beautiful, and very atmospheric)

Back to Villa Francesca - When you arrive it is as if you are the very first people to ever have been there.

Maura provides a great welcome pack (butter, tea, coffee, bread, washing up liquid etc) & useful arrival instructions. Her information on Sights & Sites is something to print & keep in your car.

There is *nothing* to complain about.

The road is bumpy, but we managed it daily in a big 9-seater van; if you want to stay in ancient Puglia scattered with trulli, then of course the roads won’t be major.

If you’re a v sensitive sleeper bring mask/plugs.

The water pressure is very good, the bathrooms lovely, the storage plentiful, the chill out spots numerous.

The whole place is an experience, so charming, vivacious & characterful.

If you don’t like this Villa, maybe you don’t like Italy...or life.