Villa Aurelia

For a family of four, this was an ideal holiday home, and the value was excellent, which matters a lot these days. It’s in the countryside near Castellana Grotte, surrounded by old olive groves and a surreal landscape. The villa is well placed for cultural trips around Puglia, including Alberobello, and has good connections to the seaside towns of Monopoli and Polignano a Mare. There are plenty of comforts for a family. The spacious pool has sun loungers, private showers, and bathrooms. Inside, there are en-suite showers and two bathrooms, one of them en-suite. The living room and kitchen are well equipped with almost all the utensils you need. There’s also an iron, hairdryer, and air conditioning.

We spent a weekend here in mid-September, four of us, or two couples. The house is spacious and surrounded by greenery, with plants, flowers, and a big orchard. The large pool was clean, and there were tables, chairs, and a little seating area beside it. We had what we needed for the kitchen, living room, and barbecue. The hot tub looked beautiful, set into the rock beneath the house, but sadly it was dirty, so we didn't use it. There were also lots of insects, which might be dealt with using specific products. That's why I'm giving four stars.