The Trulli are famous worldwide for their beauty and unique characteristics, and represent one of the most extraordinary examples of Italian folk architecture that still survives and is in use today.

Located in the heart of Valle d’Itria, Alberobello, the capital of the trulli, is 97 km from Villa Gioia. The Alberobello embodies uniqueness and historical charm and is an unmissable stop on your trip to Puglia.

Alberobello, became an UNESCO heritage in 1996, and its magical and fairytale atmosphere will leave you breathless. The charm of this unique place is given by the traditional conical construction. The trulli have whitewashed walls, while the roofs are dark grey. Many are decorated with mystical signs on the roof tiles or symbolic sandstone pinnacles atop of the cone.

Castel del Monte, located 15 km from Villa Gioia, is one of the most fascinating and mysterious places in Italy. Built around 1240 by Holy Roman Emperor Federico II, the castle is situated on the peak of an isolated hill overlooking the Murgia Valley on one side, with a sweeping view of the Adriatic Sea on the other.

Universally considered a prime example of medieval architecture, Castel del Monte unites elements of diverse styles and traditions from different epochs in history. Visitors can see this in the Romanic lines of the lions at the Castle’s entrance, in the Gothic cornice of the towers, in the Classical movement of its interior frieze, in the defensive grandeur of the structure in general and in the Islamic refinement of its mosaics.

The town of Matera is situated on the border between the regions of Puglia and Basilicata, 60 km from Villa Gioia.

Matera is the city of the Sassi, the stones of Matera, a unique area that holds evidence of human settlements from the Palaeolithic to the present day. A history spanning thousands of years, many attractions, a rich and delicious cuisine of poor origin: the pearl of Basilicata, it deserves to be seen at least once in a lifetime. The Sassi with their peculiar caved houses, winding alleys, stone churches, terraces, and gardens, are a great example of architecture melding perfectly with the natural environment.

Unique for its crystal clear water and cliffs overlooking the sea, Polignano a Mare, is located 80 km from Villa Gioia. It is known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”. The captivating town sports multi-leveled whitewashed buildings jumbled up like stacked sugar cubes. The Arco della Vecchia Porta is the gateway to the historic center, where you’ll find a charming maze of arches, stairways, meandering pathways, little piazzas and stone-paved streets, adorned with flowers, that will amaze you and will remain forever etched in your memory.

The coast line offers several spectacular sight such as the Turquoise Cave, and the Pigeons Cave, famous for the turquoise and emerald green colours of the sea. There are also many restaurants built into caves such as the Grotta Palazzesse Restaurant, giving the town a magical, almost surreal quality.