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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Il Palmento Locorotondo

Il Palmento makes up its own delightful hamlet of traditional trulli – the typical coned roofs found only in Puglia. The stylishly restored complex is now dazzlingly white making a fantastic impact against the beautiful scenery and blue Pugliese sky. Located in the heart of the famous Valle d’Itria, the rolling hills are covered with impressive vineyards producing some of the most delicious local wines, imposing weathered olive trees with fat black fruit and winding stone walls that criss-cross over the fields.

The restoration of Il Palmento has been completed in the best of tastes transforming the 12 original Historic trulli, constructing a further 12 brand new trulli (Classic) and adding 2 standard rooms. Both the historic and classic suites are
extremely elegant and comfortable - the historic suites have the added advantage of a small kitchenette enabling you to try your hand at some local cooking, prepare a cup of tea whenever you like or simply make use of the fridge to keep your wine supply at the right temperature. Iron bedsteads, pretty cotton furnishings, solid wooden furniture have all been chosen with much care making it a perfect destination for families, friends and couples alike. The standard rooms are furnished in the same style as the classic suites but do not have cooking facilities.

Beautifully groomed gardens surround the buildings and pathways lead from the trulli around the grounds. The two swimming pools are set out on a large terrace with plenty of space for sunbathing or sleeping on one of the many sunbeds. The two pools are separate making it easy to either do a few lengths or play with your children in the kids pool.

A charming restaurant is open all year serving a tasty selection of local fare including many locally grown vegetable dishes cooked with the best extra virgin olive oil and served with home baked bread. A Club House bar is situated in the old grape pressing trullo – a great place to sample some of the local favourites and reception is hosted by friendly staff that are ready to help you enjoy your holiday in Puglia from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave.

Should you be able to tear yourselves away from this little haven then Il Palmento has a beach club with bar service, sunbeds and umbrellas (payable locally) just a 20 minute drive away – definitely worth sampling during your stay - please note during high season this facilities gets booked very quickly and there is limited space. If you wish to secure your place before you travel we can pre-book this for you. For the more energetic, a tennis court is on the grounds and an 18 hole golf course is only 15 minutes by car. Bicycles may be hired from reception but be warned, there are lots of rolling hills in Puglia so expect to work up a healthy appetite and a huge thirst. Have a great stay!

New in Puglia for 2012

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

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