My friend and I had booked our trip to Ostuni because we wanted a peaceful, relaxed break away from all the busy life of London! We chose Relais Villa because it promised the atmostphere that we were looking for, and we were not disappointed! The apartment we had was lovely, with lots of character and tradition, and all the modern luxuries - tv, power shower, cooking facilities etc. There was a gorgeous pool and lovely patio in front of the apartment where you could eat breakfast, lunch etc while looking out at the olive groves and beautiful plants and surroundings. Our host, Teo was very helpful, charming and happy to tell us about the local area and points of interest. As our stay was only for three days, we had decided not to drive while we were there, but Teo was kind enough to drive us into town several times during our stay and make sure that we got back to the villa safely.

Ostuni is a great hideaway where you can experience the delights of Italy without feeling too much of a tourist. It is wildly beautiful and rugged and we had excellent meals at restaurants recommended by our host. We were very sorry to be leaving so soon and are already planning on going back before the end of summer. The villa invites you to relax not only because of its beauty, but because the host and their operation is laid-back, friendly and welcoming. The whole experience is holistic, and it really felt like a home from home.