Picture relaxing by (or in) the pool at Villa Bianca Carmela, taking in the views across the olive groves towards the Salento coastline, a mere 1.4km away. This smart, crisp white villa enjoys a great location for a seaside holiday, whether you are drinking in the vistas from the pool terrace or heading out to spend the day on the coast, where you will discover tiny rocky coves, sandy beaches and the sparkling waters of the Ionian Sea.
White walls form a courtyard in which sits the villa, a spacious dining terrace with dappled shade, and on the upper level the pool area. Blue and white are the colours of choice, a simple yet effective theme. Inside, the patterned tiled floor is an eye catching backdrop for the pure white furniture, whilst outside, the sand coloured paved terraces are edged with Mediterranean plants.
Marked by its tower standing guard, seafront Torre Suda (3km) is the nearest spot for amenities (mini market, restaurants etc) with smaller Capilungo (3 km due south) offering similar. And if you fancy a change from the beaches, why not explore the walled town of Gallipoli (a 25 minute drive) to see why its name means ‘beautiful city’ in Greek? Or spend the day in the capital of Puglia, Lecce (1hr drive): here Roman ruins sit alongside Baroque palazzi and bars and cafes spill out onto the limestone paved streets, tempting you to sit awhile and soak up the atmosphere.
