10 reasons to visit Puglia in 2011
Puglia, the heel of Italy, is renowned for its rustic charm, beaches, cuisine and wine and now there are even more reasons to visit this charming region of Southern Italy this year…
1. New luxury resort opening
Borgo Egnazia Hotel Villas Golf & Spa Resort - The latest sensation in Puglia, opening fully in May 2011. This luxury destination resort borders the ancient ruins of Egnazia to the north, the fishermen’s villageof Savelletrito the south and is surrounded by acres of stunning Apulian olive groves. The resort comprises of a 184 room boutique hotel, private villas, and a traditional Borgo (village) created as a modern interpretation of the ancient city that once stood in its place. There is a cookery school, stunning spa, kids club, tennis academy, three restaurants and four swimming pools.
2. New modern Roman bath spa
Vair Spa at Borgo Egnazia - The spa has completed phase one of its opening, and includes seven single treatment rooms, three double rooms, a spa suite with a garden and steam room, a Thai massage room, an Infusion Bar and indoor pool. The final opening of the spa will take place in May this year offering a 1,800 sqm oasis of relaxation and rejuvenation, with a gym, yoga studio, a salon and a wet area with a Tepidarium (warm room), Calidarium (hot room), Frigidarium (cold room), and two Roman bath scrub rooms, offering the only modern Roman bathhouse in Italy.
3. The leading family beach resort in the Mediterranean
OurSpace Kids Club at Borgo Egnazia Resort - The official opening of the OurSpace Kid’s club is scheduled for April 2011. It offers a full range of childcare for children aged eight months to 13 years. Staff are friendly, multilingual and highly qualified. Activities include cooking lessons, outdoor sports activities, computer and console games for the older ones and soft crèche areas for youngsters.
4. Italy’s finest boutique agri-turismo
Masseria Cimino - This boutique hotel is one of Italy’s finest, an 18th century ‘agri-tursimo’ farmhouse located next to the San Domenico Golf course;a stone’s throw from the coast. It has 15 rooms, all with views overlooking the golf course or the Adriatic. The food at Masseria Cimino is grown organically on the estate or sourced locally.
5. The first Masseria to open as a five star hotel in Puglia
Masseria San Domenico – This former wine-producing estate lies 500 metres from the Adriatic coast and dates back to the 15th Century, when it was used by the Knights of Malta as a watch tower. This stunning ‘adult only’ property was the first Masseria in Puglia to be made into a hotel, and offers 48 rooms and suites, tastefully furnished in a traditional style and most with a view over the olive groves and orchards. The Hotel is also home toItaly’s only five star Thalassotherapy spa.
6. One of the most prestigious golf courses in the Mediterranean
The 18-hole San Domenico Golf course, considered to be one of the most prestigious courses in theMediterranean, hosts a number of international tournaments throughout the year, including the grand final of the annual European Challenge Tour in October. This year, San Domenico Golf is proud to announce its sponsorship of the rising golf star, Andrea Pavan.
7. Three UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Pugliaboasts three World Heritage sites. Castel del Monte (The Castle) is a unique piece of medieval military architecture built by Emperor Frederick II near Bari in the 13th Century. Alberobello (The Trulli town)- the limestone dwellings here offer examples of prehistoric building techniques used in the region. They feature pyramidal roofs built of corbelled limestone slabs, evoking scenes from the Lord of the Rings! Director Mel Gibson was scouting locations to film The Passion of Christ when he first set eyes on the sun-drenched, stunning prehistoric town of Matera inBasilicata region.
8. Celebrities and VIPs who love Puglia
Prince William, the young Royal has spent summers in Puglia according to an Apulian tailor who has also been rumoured to be making the Prince a shirt for the Royal Wedding in April. Jamie Oliver, the celebrity Chef has visited the heel of Italy for his Channel 4 food programmes to explore the delights of Puglian cuisine. A visit to Puglia while promoting her film The Queen, led to the Oscar-winning star, Helen Mirren, buying a 500-year-old property near Tiggiano, near Lecce.
9. The ‘White Caves’ of Puglia
Entered by a 60 metre vertical tunnel, the caves in Castellana, are said to be among the deepest in the world. This huge gaping chasm, known as La Grave (the Deep), leads to the cave network’s central chamber – a vast passage almost 600 metres long.
10. The Cuisine of Puglia
Fresh vegetables are key to Apulian cuisine. Olives, aubergine, onion, garlic, hot red pepper, sweet pepper and fresh mozzarella contribute to the tantalizing dishes created in a traditional kitchen. Pizza and focacce are extremely popular, as is Calzone – a pizza pie made of two sheets of thin oil based pasta stuffed with a mix of vegetables. Though much of seafood is eaten raw with prawns, sardines and cuttlefish as big ingredients, another favourite dish, is polpi arriciati (curled octopus).
For more information on the San Domenico Hotel Collection please visit: sandomenicohotels.com.
