Torre Chianca, Puglia
Newly renovated and stylishly furnished villa just 10 metres from the sandy beach with 3 bedrooms, surrounded by gardens and open to the sea, 12 kilometres from Lecce.
Arrival day: Saturday Car hire: Recommended
Beach House I Gelsi is a beachside house in an area of Puglia rarely visited by overseas holiday makers. Located only 12 kilometres from the stunning town of Lecce this is where the locals spend their holiday and enjoy the wonderful sandy beaches and calm Adriatic Sea, ideal for families and couples.
This independent house is only metres from the sandy beach and, not only is there a public beach, but also a private beach (with loungers and umbrellas for hire) just a few steps along the beach. The furnishings and design of the house reflects both the owners' great style and taste but also its beach location. White walls, bright linens, paintings and furniture (and a giant horse!) mean that you know full well that the sea is lapping at your doorstep. The garden offers privacy and is a delightful place to relax and dine in. The terrace outside the kitchen has a lovely allotment from where you can pick fresh seasonal vegetables and the in September the grapes from the vine under which you dine.
The villa is made up of a living room, a modern fully equipped stylish kitchen, one double bedroom, one twin / double bedroom, one large family bathroom with shower and an external shower. There is a third double/twin bedroom accessed from the garden and it has an outside shower and external bathroom. Outside there are two lovely outdoor dining areas, one on the ground floor and a roof terrace which is accessed by external steps and an ideal spot to enjoy the sea view and an evening in great company and with a fine bottle of local wine.
Within a short walk of Beach House I Gelsi there is a bar. Torre Chianca is primarily a summer resort and hence the best food shops are in Frigole, a 5 minute drive on the coast road. It has an excellent cafe for coffee and breakfast, a good bakery, butcher, fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables plus a minimarket for essential foods. For the evening there are several good fish restaurants and traditional oven pizza! A 10 minute drive will take you to San Cataldo on the coast with many places to eat outdoors day or night.
The owners have a Gozzo boat for trips to Otranto , San Foca, Castro and you can be collected by the boat outside the house! For a simple quiet holiday with independence from the bustle of the commercial whirlwind and the benefit of an inexpensive lifestyle by the beach with local food and wine.
Whilst not a built up beach resort Torre Chianca has a lovely beach, out of the high season Torre Chianca becomes a quiet backwater and is ideal for those people seeking a peaceful retreat. Beach House I Gelsi is one of several houses owned by the same owners and are the smartest houses in the village by some distance. Your days will be spent between the villa and the beach and of course a day in the Baroque wonder that is Lecce. Further afield you can explore the Valle d'Itria with its famous trulli and the seaside town of Otranto. The Salento region of Puglia offers crystal waters and quiet villages to explore. The owners of Beach House I Gelsi have a background in interior design (their work having being published in AD, Elle Décor and The World of Interiors) and the fruits of the labours here are on display for you to enjoy.
Please email or phone +44 1223 460100 for prices.
Additional pricing notes:
Tourist tax payable locally
Security deposit: £300 (held on credit card).
Kristin Feldmayer, London
We loved our week at Beach House Gelsi. The owners decorated the house beautifully and there was lots of space for our daughters to run around outside. Proximity to the beach is a real treat as it is only a few minutes walk down the road to the nearest swimming area. The property description was exactly on point when it said that this is not a touristy part of Italy. I believe we were the only tourists on the beach - however we loved that! If you are looking for a peaceful week of beach and sleep, Beach House Gelsi is perfect!
Sophie Chiappe, Henley on Thames
Excellent thorough and helpful advice as always. Lovely area, beautiful beaches, love the rustic nature of the place and the lack of tourists, just a shame the locals don't look after it a bit better! Worth informing people about the lack of restaurants in the immediate vicinity and the need to drive to shops. So much potential! Loved the proximity to the sea and the Morrocan decor and touches.
Christina Devaney, London
Beautiful garden and outside spaces especially. Fabulous, domenico was responsive and welcoming. He provided home made foods on arrival, texted us with details of events during the week and was quick to sort out any issues we had.