Imma was very warm, friendly and helpful. She kept in touch via text messages and was very kind, meeting me at the station and dropping me there when I left. There was the option of a bedroom in the flat or on the roof terrace (in summer this may be a lovely option with views of the sea. There are two very aloof cats who really did not pay much attention to their guests! The weekly market - just 3 mins walk from the apartment on a Tuesday is worth a visit to see the multitude of stalls offering Italian homeware (not that different from small town England) and turn north for the food stalls = I bought lovely fresh cheese provolone picante and mortadella, fresh oranges (February and March is harvest time for oranges and maybe artichokes) at very reasonable prices and other nibbles to take home.
Imma is a wonderful cook and I would recommend taking up the opportunity to eat home cooked Puglian food, Imma makes her own pasta, bread and preserves and gave me samples to take home. Imma's speaks a little English and some French so we managed to communicate quite well considering that I spoke no Italian other than that which Google translate offers!

Even if you decide to stay elsewhere - ask Imma about meals or cooking lessons - she is a kind and patient teacher and taught me how to make Orecchietta (little ear pasta, I need more practice).

The apartment was warm and comfortable in the rather cool 2016 March! Imma took me to visit her favourite beach and on her rare day off from work she took me on a short trip along the coast to San Vittorio where her friend and owner of a local restaurant made us welcome and invited us for appetisers of fava beans, prawns and rocket - lovely food and warm friendly people.

The apartment is about 10 mins walk from the train station and easy to access the centre of Monopoli (drivers - watch out for those one way streets ). I stayed for four nights as Monopoli, it is a good base for visiting other places such as Bari and Lecce which are easily accessible by train.

A tip for non smokers travelling in Italy - if staying in a shared apartment check with your host about smoking. If you do not like to be in an environment where cigarette smoke is around then this may not be the place for you. And you will miss a very warm Puglian welcome with great food.