Ancora Bianca Beach Residence

We had a really good, restful holiday here. The pool was nice and the sea view was wonderful, and the beach had umbrellas and deck chairs. The staff were great too. You can book trips through them at the resort, just say what you’d like to see and they’ll arrange it.

The biggest surprise for us was the traffic. The apartments sit right beside the road. We had asked about this and were told it was just a quiet access road, but traffic noise at night meant we had to keep the windows shut. A few practical things are worth knowing before you book, especially if you don’t speak Italian or are coming outside the July and August peak season. There’s little English spoken in the area until high season. An English speaker is on duty at the apartments for a couple of hours each morning except Sunday, but if you arrive outside those hours it can be hard to get more than basic information. The beach by the residence is sandy, but the water’s edge and seabed are very stony, something the photos don’t show, so swimming shoes are a good idea. The pool is quite small and can get busy from mid-June, when children in other countries finish school earlier than in Britain. The town with the shops is too far to walk to, and the nearest restaurant is at least 15 minutes away on foot along a fairly busy road with no pavement in some places. Other restaurants are about a 40-minute walk along the same road. Parts aren’t well lit, so bring a torch. The apartments themselves were clean, well equipped, and well maintained. Ground-floor units have a pleasant outdoor space, including a nice area by the pool. We also enjoyed the half-day boat trip, which was well organized.

Jessica and the rest of the staff were really helpful, and the setting is idyllic. Our room had everything we needed. We had a lovely stay and would happily come back.

It’s a beautiful, quiet spot that feels pretty much in the middle of nowhere, so it’s ideal for unwinding. Carmelo and Jessica were fantastic hosts and know the area well. I’d suggest having a car so you can explore the lovely coastline.