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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Dimora Donnagnora near Ostuni

Many old country farmhouses have been converted but few to the standard of Dimora Donnagnora. The house is owned by an English couple and they have ensured that this house maintains many of the local features and yet incorporates a contemporary feel and modern comforts. The addition of a lovely pool makes this house a real gem.

Set in spacious grounds Dimora Donnagnora has plenty of space for groups and families to spread out – in front of the house there is a large dining table and seating. The pool is approximately 20 meters to the front of the house and has a lovely shaded gazebo where you can sit and enjoy your book with a glass of Primitivo. This lovely holiday home and we are confident that it will be a popular choice with Essential Italy clients this year.

Entry into the main living space is into a spacious and charming living room – there are two alcoves and comfortable seating. From this room one passes through into the dining room and beyond to the kitchen, which also has access to the outdoor dining areas and pool. The kitchen is well equipped and has dishwasher, washing machine, hobs, oven and fridge freezer.

The three bedrooms all have en suite bathrooms with showers. The two double bedrooms are accessed by the terraces and the third bedroom which has double / twin bedrooms is accessible from both the dining room and outdoor terrace. To the back of the house there is a large patio which has a small dining table and lovely views – the twin / double and a double share access to this patio.

There is a super outdoor eating space equipped with a wonderful stone table and barbeque and the lovely pool will be just a few metres from the house. Dimora Donnagnora is located along a country track and is set in large grounds which ensures that there are views over the surrounding countryside, should you wish to take in the views further, open external steps lead you onto the roof (not advisable for children!) The gardens have been sympathetically landscaped to make the most of the rugged Puglia countryside.

As tempting as it will be to stay put at Dimora Donnagnora, the wide selection of superb local restaurants is sure to tempt you out in the evening to enjoy the fresh local cuisine and wonderful wines. The location is ideal for exploring this fascinating area – the villages of Locorotondo, Cisternino, Ostuni, Alberobello and Martina Franca are all just a short drive away and the coast with its sandy and rocky beaches is less than 30 minutes away.

Further afield the stunning Baroque town of Lecce, known as the ‘Florence of the South’, and Taranto ensure that you will have no problem planning those day trips.

New in Puglia for 2012

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

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