Our host Piero did everything to accommodate us and even met us in the nearest town Ceglie Messapica to guide us to the house in the dark when we arrived. We were also welcomed with a bottle of Prosecco and complimentary coffees for the coffee machine (including decaff!) The Trulli is a beautiful new property set in a large olive grove which also has fig and plum trees which we were able to help ourselves to. Piero kindly brought an English speaker - Marie-Angela the day after we arrived in case we had any queries or wanted a restaurant booked etc. However we did not need any help as we managed to get on just fine. We used the barbecue area one night and ate under the canopy and the stars. Beware of mosquitos though and use the mosquito coils that are provided as we forgot and got horribly bitten on the first night!
There are loads of hilltop towns to explore in the area - Ceglie, Martina Franca, Ostuni, Locorotunda, Cisternino, Alberobello ('trulli town') and the National Park is only 20 minutes away. You can also drive up to the coast area where the beaches looked great although we did not go on one (we did visit Polignano e Mare which is beautiful). It's also worth visiting Matera in neighbouring Basilicata - UNESCO world heritage site and 2019 European Capital of Culture for the Sassi cave dwellings (and a fabulous Michelin star restaurant Vitantonio Lombardo which we ate at!). Locally, we recommend Da Franco restaurant in Ceglie Messapica with its beautiful outside seating area.
Thank you so much to Piero for constantly being in contact and being so helpful. We needed a relaxing break and this was just the place to get away from it all.