Sunshine, glorious beaches and wonderful food
Casa Limone is our apartment in the seaside village of Torre San Giovanni on the south-western coast of Puglia.
The apartment, completed in 2007, has three spacious, air-conditioned bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen/living room, a huge terrace on three sides for dining and relaxing, and a secure garage.
It is one minute's walk to the beaches and crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea and 10 minutes' level walk to the excellent range of restaurants, bars and shops.
This area of Puglia is called Salento. The nearest sizeable town to Torre San Giovanni is Ugento, a few kilometres inland, while the landmark city is historic Gallipoli, some 16kms north along the coast.
The nearest major city is the regional capital Lecce, regarded as one of the most beautiful in Italy, while the civil airport at Brindisi is about an hour's drive away.
Ryanair operate several low-cost flights per week to Brindisi (and Bari) from London Stansted, and during the peak summer months a free bus runs between Brindisi airport and Torre San Giovanni.
Italians from further north descend on the region in huge numbers during the annual vacation 
months of July and August, but outside of this period it is quieter and has much to entice the British holidaymaker.
It offers a wide range of outdoor activities and relaxation - walking, cycling and horse riding, or sunbathing on the stunning beaches - as well as plenty of historic sights and a wide range of entertainment opportunities for all ages.
The Greek influence remains obvious to this day, rather as it does in Sicily. Lecce, the 'Florence of the South', bursts with Baroque; Avetrana has a medieval castle; and the historic port of Gallipoli has a spectacular harbour and a fascinating maze of narrow streets.
The local food and wine are superb and inexpensive and almost invariably organic. Everything is dictated by the seasons. Restaurants obtain their produce locally. The pace of life is slow, the food is delicious and the people are friendly and welcoming.
For an authentic taste of Italy that is far removed from the usual tourist destinations further north, Puglia offers something charming and utterly different - an unforgettable and unique experience.
The simplest way to get to Torre San Giovanni is to fly Ryanair from London Stansted to Brindisi airport, which is about one hour’s drive away. Ryanair and BA also fly into Bari, which is some two hours’ drive.
