TRAVEL
19
THE GUESTLIST NETWORK | MARCH 2010
La Bella Italia
There’s no denying that the British winter months can feel like an eternity.
We just can’t seem to engage our brain to the idea that summer really is just around the corner, so what
better time to start planning our 2010 holidays. Just thinking about carefree days and nights fills us with
energy, vitality and confidence, the power of positive thought is just so invigorating.
Italophile’s will be more than happy to know that I have devoted this months feature to “la bella Italia”!
How to get there
For Puglia fly from Stanstead
to Bari or Brindisi airport.
www.ryanair.com
For Ansedonia fly from
Heathrow to Fiumicino
airport in Rome with www.
Alitalia.com
Where to stay
For Il Frantoio stay
Agroturismo hotel in Fasano.
For Masseria santa Do-
menico stay Agroturismo
hotel and spa in Savelletri.
Check out
www.holiday-rentals.com
www.ownersabroad.com
Where to eat
Carmen bay -seafront
restaurant / Mura restau-
rant in Capalbio / Il frantoio
restaurant in Fasano
The Secret Guide to Hidden Italy 2010
MICHAEL CIMINO
Italy: intriguing land of passion, synon- experienced and is back dropped by Moving south to the heel of Italy we ar-
ymous with style, history and art. It’s the dreamy swaying Mediterranean. rive in Puglia, becoming increasingly
no wonder that Italy has always been Ansedonia is frequented mostly by Ital- popular over the last few years it hasn’t
adored by northern Europeans, writ- ians and unlike the Costa Smerelda is sold out to the big hotel groups. Here
ers such as George Gissing and Nor- very low key even in august, home to you will find many masserias and con-
man Douglas were fascinated whilst many politician’s and high profile me- verted oil mills which have been con-
in Italy, particularly the south which dia types who like to play it down, so verted to lovely guest homes. “Agro-
they travelled to more than a century don’t expect too many paparazzi! turismo” is also popular here, mostly
ago. This area is often regarded as La Feniglia beach is 8 km long which run by extended families, they offer
the land of the midday sun. connects from Monte Argentario to organic home-made pasta, Puglian
Long considered an expensive des- the mainland, also close to Porto specialty and sumptuous cakes and
tination for UK visitors, the economic Ercole which has some very high pastries.Much of the nation’s olive oil
downturn hasn’t helped either and ar- fashion boutiques. You can buy your and wine is produced here due to the
guably you might not think it’s worth dream bag there! arid climate and agreeable soil.
the expense. Stay at Il Frantoio in the village of Fa-
But hey, Italy can be very affordable sano, run by Armando and his lovely
without compromising on style or wife Rosalba, they have converted
comfort, you just need to know where a 1700 century oil mill into 8 styl-
to look and spend some time surfing ish apartments. Each evening the
for good flight deals which there are guest’s gather around a long trellis
many of at the moment. There’s some- table and devour 12 incredible cours-
thing for everyone here, beaches, es all washed down with organic
mountains, art, fashion and let’s not heady home produced wine. Often
forget Italian gastronomy which is re- described as the “Florence of the
puted to be the best in the world. South”, the town of Ostuni shouldn’t
Sporty types will not be disappointed be missed, Arabic in appearance with
with many water ski schools, golf white washed houses all cling to the
courses and numerous sailing clubs. cliff side with the cool azure sea be-
I have visited Italy for many years and sides it.
have some of the fondest and craziest
memories, all worthy of a Fellini movie! The town of Gallipoli in the deep
For this reason I would like to share south of Puglia borders the Adriatic
with you a small selection of this tanta- La Feniglia has great restaurants and sea and the surrounding area is called
lizing and spectacular country. beach clubs with great music. Its pine the Salento peninsula.
clad with a lovely causeway running Lecce, close to Gallipoli is a hand-
Tuscany used to be a firm favorite for in the centre of the fine sand. Just a some baroque town with some of the
many years with a huge expat com- few minutes away you will find an- best architecture in the whole of Italy.
munity. The rambling countryside has other fabulous beach called Prato All’ A visit to the city of Bari is a must, it
picturesque houses and a landscape Inglese which translates as an English has the longest seafront in Italy, the
to die for. Foodie’s will adore the de- lawn, it really is a well manicured lawn, Santa Lucia theatre is also worthy of
licious regional ingredients that are quite surreal, with loungers and waiter a visit if it’s only to see this incredible
used in Tuscan cookery. service, after getting nicely relaxed piece of craftsmanship. The main air-
I’m very fond of South Tuscany, an area have a saunter down to this most di- port city of Brindisi has recently been
called Ansedonia in the Monte Argen- vine graggy cove in front of you and redeveloped creating new docks and
tario region; it’s close to the quaint wallow in the warm water of this al- a main freight port for travelers bound
town of Orbitello, close to where the most lagoon heaven. for Greece and Turkey.
late Princess Margaret often enjoyed A tranquil little gem, very easy to
a quiet retreat. Santo Stefano, 10 km spend an afternoon here in this Bou- Next month I will feature the up and
away has the best seafood I have ever ganvilla drenched sunspot. coming hot spots for this summer.
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