Relax Puglia Limited values its beneficial alliance with home owners, suppliers and personnel. Together, through our holiday rental management services, we inspire travelers, like us, from around the world, to the southernmost region of Italy, in Puglia, because it is magical, fascinating and unforgettable.
Relax Puglia Limited, headquarters in Cisternino, Puglia (Apulia), has been welcoming visitors to this magical and richly colourful region of Italy and providing Puglia vacation rentals since 2010; providing travellers with an authentic and memorable experience of the local life as well as offering a showcase of holiday villas to rent in Puglia.
"Just wanted to pass on what a lovely stay we had at L’Oleandro. It’s such as special place, thoughtfully renovated and in a beautiful area of Puglia. The pizza chef evening was a huge success, a treat for us grown ups and the kids too. Thank you and the rest of Relax Puglia team for helping to make our holiday such a positive one. An extra special thank you to the Halloween fairies that provided decorations, accessories and sweets for the 31st, it was very thoughtful of you!"
Jocelyne - Trullo L'Oleandro (November 2024)
Experience true tranquillity at one of Relax Puglia’s ‘Home for Holidays’ in the southernmost region of Italy. Puglia has attracted engaged couples and honeymooners for many centuries, due to its stunning landscapes, pristine coastline, sleepy hilltop towns and slow pace of life. The region has the sensation that time has stood still, and that’s all you could wish for during your holiday with close friends and family.
Perhaps you are finding it difficult to make a final choice. Perhaps you don't have the time to search through all of the properties and make a decision. Whatever the reason, let us help you in any way we can...
Relax Puglia provides a range of additional services to make your stay more relaxed, comfortable and enjoyable. On your arrival, we can arrange for a food basket to be waiting for you together with a selection of local wines. Why not spoil yourselves with your own, in-house local chef, or a luxurious massage in the comfort of your villa. We have a wide range of tours and activities to choose from and we can provide transfers and taxis to help you get around.
The Dolce Vita is from coast to coast; from the Adriatic to the Ionian, between Otranto and Gallipoli. If you wish to discover the key to local artisan excellence, include a stopover in one or more of the hamlets and villages that trip along the coastline, topple on the summits of hilltops or make a splash in to the small bays and lagoons.
A selection of articles that explore the region of Puglia: its wonderful countryside and coastline, its rich history, its fascinating culture, its delicious food and wine and, of course, its warm and welcoming people...
Altamura is a town in the region of Puglia in Southern Italy with around 70,000 inhabitants. It is found on a hill in the Murge Plateau, roughly 45 kilometers south-west of the City of Baria and close to the border of Basilicata. It is twinned with the other Italian cities of Lucera, Modic, and Castellana Sicula. Altamura has its own railway station and is crossed by the Via Appia national road.
According to an old legend, Altamura’s former name was Altilia, or “other Troy”, and was founded by Antellus, a fugitive from the destroyed city of Troy. Altamura has a rich history. After being looted by the Saracens, it was left empty for several hundred years before being re-founded by Emperor Frederick II in 1232. Frederick II also ordered the construction of the Altamura cathedral, which you can still visit today.
In the 1500s, Altamura was governed by several feudal families, most notably, the Orsina del Balzo and the Farnese families, who contributed to Altamura’s development by building many churches and palaces. A university was later created by Charles VII of Naples in 1748, but it was forced to close in the 1800s due to a lack of funding.
In 1799, the Altamura Revolution took place as the city joined the Parthenopean Republic after being abandoned by its king. This did not last long, however, as several months later, Sanfedisti stormed Altamura, restoring the rule of the Kingdom of Naples. During the 19th century, Altamura was named the provisional capital of Puglia.
Also of note, in 1993, a 130,000-year-old calcified Altamuran Man was found in a local cave known as Grotto de Lamalunga. The Altamuran Man is one of the most complete Paleolithic skeletons ever to be discovered in Europe and you can learn about his story in local museums.
Altamura’s most famous landmark is, of course, its old cathedral. It is just one of four Palatine churches in Puglia and it was designed in a strong Gothic style, typical of the time of Frederick II. Many ancient tombs have been discovered in the cathedral, contributing to the city’s long and varied history.
Altamura is also a major site for the study of dinosaurs. In 1999, around 30,000 dinosaur footprints were discovered in an area of Altamura known as “Cantrada Pontrelli”. Since then, Altamura has been a hub for historical research. Additionally, Altamura is known for its high-quality bread, known as Pane di Altamura, which is sold in cities across Italy. The Museo del Pane Forte is a local museum which tells the story of Pane de Altamura, beginning in 14th-century ovens and ending in the modern-day distribution of the famous bread.
One of the main Altamuran events is Federicus, a 3-day renaissance fair. It involves a historical re-enactment of the time that Frederick II re-founded Altamura and typically takes place in the second half of April. The festival only began in 2012 but has quickly grown in popularity, attracting tourists from other Italian regions and from abroad.
Some famous Altamurians include football player Francesco Caputo, basketball player Romeo Sacchetti, mathematician Giacomo Bellacchi, and writer Nicola Serena de Lapigio.
Relax Puglia Limited - Company Number: 10537981 - Registered Office address: Derwent Dale Cottage, York Road, Stamford Bridge, York YO41 1AH
In collaboration with:
Relax Puglia accepts payment through Stripe
Relax Puglia Limited, through co-founder Francesco Lanzilotta, is a licensed Real Estate Agent in Italy, License no. 1753, released by the Chamber of Commerce in Bari, Italy. (CCIAA di Bari)
Chamber of Commerce Registered office address, 5, Piazza Eroi del Mare, Cisternino, Brindisi.