| day in Italy was a dream come true and my wish | | | | stores and found some great deals on linens and |
| to enjoy the less touristy side of Italy was | | | | ceramics and picked up a few lovely bottles of |
| realized. I stayed in a vacation rental villa in the | | | | wine. Shopping for food in the markets was a fun |
| city of Avetrana , situated in the Apulien region | | | | experience. The townspeople were so gracious |
| which is also called the "boot heel" of Italy. This | | | | and friendly, even inviting me, a perfect stranger, |
| was the perfect way to experience the local | | | | over for dinner! Just the hospitality alone made |
| culture and the little villa in Italy served as a great | | | | my holiday in Italy worth it. |
| hideaway when I wanted to be alone. | | | | Day trips throughout the Apulien region to cities |
| Located in an area in Avetrana called Urmo | | | | like Tarent and Gallipoli provided some great times. |
| Belsito, this vacation rental villa boasted a beautiful | | | | I rented a car and traveled the winding, narrow |
| view of the sea from a rooftop terrace. Nestled | | | | roads of the countryside, fascinated by the old |
| on a small hill, my idyllic Italian paradise was within | | | | stone walls left over from ancient times. The |
| a few miles of the beach on the Ionian Sea. The | | | | views of the coastline were spectacular and the |
| open-aired balcony offered not only the great | | | | architecture in these towns and those that dotted |
| view but also a pleasant breeze that was cooling | | | | the countryside was amazing. My vacation in Italy |
| in the warm weather. I enjoyed the fine sandy | | | | was studded with valuable gems of sights, sounds |
| beaches and clear blue waters and when I got | | | | and people. Of course, the food was excellent, |
| tired, I just dusted myself off and headed to my | | | | with rich olive oils and fresh seafood. |
| villa. | | | | All of these day trips to places like Tarent and |
| This villa in Italy possessed two bedrooms and | | | | Gallipoli and many points in between were made |
| extra beds for guests (up to four people total), | | | | possible, thanks to my little vacation rental villa in |
| along with the requisite bathroom and kitchen. The | | | | Urmo Belsito in the city of Avetrana . Having it as |
| landscaping was fitting for the beach town | | | | my "home base" was a treasure. This little villa in |
| environment and the bricked courtyards were | | | | Italy allowed me to relax after a long, eventful |
| perfect for an evening of dining under the stars. | | | | day of sightseeing. All the amenities like a washer, |
| With all the basic necessities and storage, this | | | | refrigerator and stove enabled me to save some |
| vacation rental villa made a perfect home base | | | | money when I needed to do laundry or prepare a |
| for traveling to other cities in the region like | | | | home-cooked meal. It was my home away from |
| Tarent and Gallipoli. Both towns were within a | | | | home! For a great vacation in Italy, I suggest |
| short driving distance for sightseeing and partaking | | | | getting the "boot" to the southeast region of |
| of various cultural activities. | | | | Apulien, specifically a quaint little vacation rental |
| During my adventures of meandering through the | | | | villa in Urmo Belsito in Avetrana . You'll be glad you |
| streets of Avetrana , I visited wonderful quaint | | | | did! |