We have just enjoyed one of our best holidays ever here and would heartily recommend it to anybody wanting to get a little bit off the beaten track in Southern Italy. Although it is less than half an hour’s drive away from the sea - and considerably nearer historic old hilltop towns like Ostuni and Ceglie and their bustling open-air markets, narrow streets, pretty squares and surprisingly inexpensive family restaurants serving great local cuisine - the Bella Vista estate itself is so well-appointed we could very easily have not ventured outside its gates for the duration of our stay and still had the most wonderful time! The exceptionally comfortable villa and its adjoining barn lacked for nothing. With bedrooms (and bathrooms) enough to serve at least ten couples we immediately realised that it would be perfect for an extended family trip with children in tow. Maybe next year for that? As it was we went in a party of six adults at the beginning of June just as the weather began to get nicely hot and were able to spend as much time together by the pool as we wanted or else lose ourselves in the various sheltered nooks and crannies which are a feature of the estate. And even the most unsporting of us enjoyed coming together in the late afternoon to play boules, badminton or pitch and putt prior to lighting up the barbecue or the authentic outdoor pizza oven. Not surprisingly none of us wanted to go home!

There are so many different places to chill out, relax and enjoy the hill top view that we found it increasingly difficult to summon the energy to leave the property and the gorgeous pool - (favourite is the Moroccan rooftop lounge!) but when we did we were rewarded with some great local entertainment, brilliant markets and a ridiculous number of gorgeous restaurants in any of the surrounding hill top towns, all within 10 or 20 minutes drive

There are so many different places to chill out, relax and enjoy the hill top view that we found it increasingly difficult to summon the energy to leave the property and the gorgeous pool - (favourite is the Moroccan rooftop lounge!) but when we did we were rewarded with some great local entertainment, brilliant markets and a ridiculous number of gorgeous restaurants in any of the surrounding hill top towns, all within 10 or 20 minutes drive

We had an exceptional holiday at Bella vista. The villas are set in large grounds with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.We were staying as a group of friends and the facilities and the layout of the property was first class. There are so many areas to eat, drink and relax that there is always a place to sit as a group and always a place to escape with a book. The property is maintained to a high standard as can be seen by the photographs on the site which reflect the real charm and versatility of the place.The pool is beautiful and looks quite spectacular when lit up in the evening. We had a really relaxing holiday here and would definitely recommend it to friends.

We had an exceptional holiday at Bella vista. The villas are set in large grounds with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.We were staying as a group of friends and the facilities and the layout of the property was first class. There are so many areas to eat, drink and relax that there is always a place to sit as a group and always a place to escape with a book. The property is maintained to a high standard as can be seen by the photographs on the site which reflect the real charm and versatility of the place.The pool is beautiful and looks quite spectacular when lit up in the evening. We had a really relaxing holiday here and would definitely recommend it to friends.

Although there are loads of interesting hill top towns, markets, historic buildings, fantastic restaurants and the beach within 5 - 20 mins drive, the biggest problem we had was tearing ourselves away from the pure relaxation of lounging by the pool or in any of the areas cleverly designed for just chilling out. We were a party of 7 friends and although we came together for meals and outings, the property is also big enough to lose yourself around the land: up on the flat roof, up the hill looking out across to the surrounding hilltop towns, under the huge olive tree, or in the poolside gazebo lounging on comfy cushions. We ate out some nights - the local cuisine is amazing and you can be full on just the selection of delicious starters. We also shoppped for fresh produce at the markets and at the local farm for freshly made Mozzarella and dined al fresco at one of the four dining areas and terraces. Sunset drinks on the roof before supper most nights were quite magical with the swallows swooping. That's it I think - oh and the pool is the perfect size for doing an early morning 30 lengths or just floating about it! Enjoy!

Although there are loads of interesting hill top towns, markets, historic buildings, fantastic restaurants and the beach within 5 - 20 mins drive, the biggest problem we had was tearing ourselves away from the pure relaxation of lounging by the pool or in any of the areas cleverly designed for just chilling out. We were a party of 7 friends and although we came together for meals and outings, the property is also big enough to lose yourself around the land: up on the flat roof, up the hill looking out across to the surrounding hilltop towns, under the huge olive tree, or in the poolside gazebo lounging on comfy cushions. We ate out some nights - the local cuisine is amazing and you can be full on just the selection of delicious starters. We also shoppped for fresh produce at the markets and at the local farm for freshly made Mozzarella and dined al fresco at one of the four dining areas and terraces. Sunset drinks on the roof before supper most nights were quite magical with the swallows swooping. That's it I think - oh and the pool is the perfect size for doing an early morning 30 lengths or just floating about it! Enjoy!

Two families – or maybe one large extended family – fit easily into Bellavista, with stacks of wiggle room. You can swim or sunbathe around the pool, cool your toes in the secluded plunge pool, play boule, badminton or mini-golf, ride a swing in the trees, go walking or even running, cook with the pizza oven or the barbecue, eat and drink al fresco in one of the shady dining areas that you will come across as you stroll the grounds. Much later, you can even spend the night under the stars on the Moroccan-themed roof terrace. Today I am sitting on a rustic bench, shaded by an ancient olive tree and lulled to indolence by the soft movement of the tree’s branches which cascade with tiny white flowers that the breeze blows over my toes. At my feet sway poppies, daisies and graceful grasses. Leaning back I glimpse, through the dense green points of almond branches, feathery patterns of slight clouds across an improbably blue sky. I can hear nothing but birdsong, the hum of crickets and the splashes and shouts of happy children in the pool. I become absorbed in watching an ant energetically and purposefully carry a leaf twice its size through the crunchy grass of the upper terrace. Tomorrow, or maybe the next day, we will continue to explore the area. We’ll visit the wide empty beaches on both coasts where driftwood trees lie bleached and inviting in the shallows. Or Alberobello, the unique and beautifully preserved trulli town where we’ll climb up cobbled streets and be dazzled by the stark whiteness of these extraordinary buildings. We’ll explore Ostuni and sample truly local cuisine, spend practically nothing on mountains of local fruit and veg in Ceglie market, and visit the nearby farm for diet-busting local cheeses. Or perhaps some of the group will just be happy to stay by the pool,. chat, do crosswords, soak up the sun and the beauty. But whatever we do or don’t do during our week, there is one decision we’ll all make – we will come back to Bellavista.

Two families – or maybe one large extended family – fit easily into Bellavista, with stacks of wiggle room. You can swim or sunbathe around the pool, cool your toes in the secluded plunge pool, play boule, badminton or mini-golf, ride a swing in the trees, go walking or even running, cook with the pizza oven or the barbecue, eat and drink al fresco in one of the shady dining areas that you will come across as you stroll the grounds. Much later, you can even spend the night under the stars on the Moroccan-themed roof terrace. Today I am sitting on a rustic bench, shaded by an ancient olive tree and lulled to indolence by the soft movement of the tree’s branches which cascade with tiny white flowers that the breeze blows over my toes. At my feet sway poppies, daisies and graceful grasses. Leaning back I glimpse, through the dense green points of almond branches, feathery patterns of slight clouds across an improbably blue sky. I can hear nothing but birdsong, the hum of crickets and the splashes and shouts of happy children in the pool. I become absorbed in watching an ant energetically and purposefully carry a leaf twice its size through the crunchy grass of the upper terrace. Tomorrow, or maybe the next day, we will continue to explore the area. We’ll visit the wide empty beaches on both coasts where driftwood trees lie bleached and inviting in the shallows. Or Alberobello, the unique and beautifully preserved trulli town where we’ll climb up cobbled streets and be dazzled by the stark whiteness of these extraordinary buildings. We’ll explore Ostuni and sample truly local cuisine, spend practically nothing on mountains of local fruit and veg in Ceglie market, and visit the nearby farm for diet-busting local cheeses. Or perhaps some of the group will just be happy to stay by the pool,. chat, do crosswords, soak up the sun and the beauty. But whatever we do or don’t do during our week, there is one decision we’ll all make – we will come back to Bellavista.

This was our second family holiday get together at Bellavista and proved to be even better than last year. My wife and I and our 2 children were joined by my mum and dad and the 2 separate buildings arrangement worked perfectly for us. We were in the villa with the kids while my parents stayed in the converted barn. The 2 lounges 2 kitchens enabled us all to do our own thing a bit but come together for lunch and dinner. There were plenty of eating places to choose from - the villa terrace, pool terrace, on the roof or by the pizza oven. After a bit of trial and error last year we became quite expert at the wood fired pizza oven and the kids loved making up their own toppings. The family competitive spirit was given full reign most evenings on the boules court which was new this year as were some very comfortable lounging areas by the pool. There was so much to do that we didn’t get to do as much beach or sight seeing as originally planned. We’ve already booked again for next year so maybe some sights will get seen then!