Essential Italy

We know car choice is important for the enjoyment of your holiday, our supplier – Maggiore Car Rental – will guarantee the following:

• highly competitive prices
• no major tour operator is working with them, therefore we are quite sure that queuing will be kept to a minimum, even in high season
• all cars have air conditioning
• a full and comprehensive back-up system

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We do not book flights, we leave it to you to choose the best departure point and flight times to suit your party. We have compiled a list of airlines flying to those regions in which we offer accommodation.

Flights are from the UK, if you are travelling from elsewhere, please don’t hesitate to contact us, we will recommend an airline flying from your departure point. If you are unsure which airport in Italy is closest to your accommodation, please call us on 01223 460100 or email

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Borgo San Marco Fasano

Borgo San Marco, originally a majestic farm house, is surrounded by olive groves with views across to the Adriatic sea. The fortified walls were built to prevent the Turks from entering and must have done a pretty good job as they are still in almost perfect condition. Luckily not much has changed apart from the recent renovation of this property which has been tastefully overseen by the owner, Sig. Amati, who is proud that the house and grounds have been in his family since the 15th century. Views of olive trees stretch out in all directions and the homemade oil is an experience not to miss.

The 14 simple but stylish bedrooms reflect the owners wish to keep the house original – they have been modernised with en-suite shower rooms, air conditioning and satellite TV, but you still will feel the charm of this historic home. The stables have been transformed into the bar, with the horses drinking troughs now basins, and the original olive press sits in the middle of the room. The communal areas are spacious, comfortable and full of artifacts for your perusal during your stay – and for the more energetic, you may stroll around the 500 acres of grounds or take a dip in the carefully hidden swimming pool with its own sandy beach!

There is also a small, but exquisitely designed spa with Hamman-Turkish bath. Massages can either be pre-booked or booked with the spa during your stay.

The winning combination of history, nature and comfort makes Borgo San Marco a perfect location for a truly relaxing holiday with plenty of culture at hand – highly recommended.

New in Puglia for 2012

Helen & Sarah have just returned from a very fruitful trip to Puglia...

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