Salento Villa Edda

Salento Villa Edda gave us a fantastic holiday, with plenty to do when we felt active and space to just relax. Massimo, the owner, was very helpful. Thanks for a lovely break.

We had a fantastic holiday here and didn’t lack for anything. This exceptional holiday home left nothing to be desired. Massimo is an outstanding landlord, always available to help or offer advice and going out of his way to make sure his guests are comfortable. We’d definitely stay here again!

Even with the unpredictable weather, we had a fantastic time at Villa Edda. We were so happy just enjoying the place that it was hard to feel motivated to explore the region. There was plenty of equipment and nothing we needed was missing, from the swimming pool and tennis court to the basketball and soccer courts, sauna, and gym. Massimo was very kind and helpful, and left us wine, Italian savory biscuits, and a huge basket of fruit and vegetables when we arrived. He even came by during our stay with more savory snacks and pastries. One of the best rentals we’ve ever had, a place we’ll remember and share.

The drive to Galatina isn’t especially idyllic, but once the electronic gate opened it felt like paradise. A palm-lined driveway leads into a large, beautifully green garden. The new, spacious pool has lots of toys, and there’s a private tennis court with plenty of rackets and balls. The house has several outdoor seating areas, including a veranda out front with plush wooden chairs and a long cushioned bench, plus another veranda beside the house. There’s a covered outdoor kitchen and BBQ, armchairs by the pool and court, cushioned loungers, and hammocks in three spots around the garden. There’s loads for kids and grown-ups to do outside: darts, archery with suction-cup arrows, balls, a basketball hoop, bikes in all sizes, a playhouse, and more. There’s also a toilet in an outhouse. The garden’s new sauna house has a sauna for two or three, a fancy shower with different jets and adjustable colored LED lights, and two loungers facing the garden through sliding doors. It even has a CD player/radio and a kettle for tea. Inside, the cabin’s kitchen looks dated but is fully equipped with a washing machine, dishwasher, oven, stove, kettle, and coffee maker. There are basics like coffee, tea, spices, sugar, good Italian olive oil, detergent, and dishwasher tablets. There’s a dining table and plenty of cutlery, plates, pans, and glasses, though not many bowls for yogurt or soup. For entertainment, there’s a CD player, Bluetooth speaker, CDs, games, books, coloring books, a TV with Netflix, and another TV with a PlayStation and plenty of games. A paradise for children inside and out. There isn’t a separate seating area. The TV sofa fits about three or four people. The big central room has beautiful tall doors and windows looking toward the front of the villa and the palm-lined driveway, along with two large sofas and a PlayStation TV. The sofas could also be used as beds for more than six or seven people. If everyone wants to sit together, you could move them closer. But with the verandas, garden, and climate, it’s easy to enjoy living outdoors. There are three double bedrooms, two with ensuite bathrooms. One bathroom has both a separate bathtub and a shower. Each has a toilet and bidet. One is a little small, but both are well kept and have new fixtures. The villa has plenty of towels and even a few bathrobes. On arrival, we found all sorts of treats on the table and in the fridge: local specialties, fruit, tomatoes, cookies, tomato sauce, chips, sweets, and olive bread. The owner, Mr. Giurgola, was incredibly friendly and easy to reach by phone or WhatsApp. We’d been in touch before arriving, and he was quick to answer questions about the house. He offered to bring us treats one morning, and we could choose the day and time. He arrived exactly on time with delicacies from the pastry chef. What a host! Mr. Giurgola also gave us great sightseeing tips, and answered simple questions about supermarkets and markets quickly, even sending a Google Maps link so we’d know where to go. Our one small issue was a begging cat outside the door. It didn’t belong to the owner and was probably a stray fed by previous tourists, though it was quite cute. I’ve seen quite a few holiday homes around Europe, and this one offers unique value for money. If you’re still unsure, go ahead and book. It’s a gem in Salento!