We only met Paolo's family (sister and mother) at the check in at the start of the week, but their communication before our trip and throughout the week when we had any questions about the local area were always very quick and helpful. The trullo is in an excellent location to visit all the little towns in the area (a car is essential). We really enjoyed the quiet and tranquility coming back to the trullo each evening after a day out exploring. It was a real experience staying in a trullo, and it has everything you need for an enjoyable stay. We spent half our evenings staying in and cooking, and some evenings eating out in the local towns. It would be great to start a little book of recommendations for the house and the local area which guests can add to. We went to Costa Merlata once or twice, a stretch of beaches half an hour away with lots of little coves (packed on the sandy parts Italian beach style, with lots of families umbrella to umbrella, you need beach chairs like the locals to sit around on the cliff areas to avoid the packed sandy parts). The best beaches we found were near Lido Morelli and Bosco Verde in the Parco Naturale Regionale Dune Costiere da Torre Canne area. The parking costs 5 Euros for the day and if you walk onto the beach where the lido is and just walk either left or right away from where the bar and umbrella rentals are you'll find long stretches of sandy dune beaches. Restaurant recommendations: Osteria del Porto in Savelletri for fish (we went for lunch, just turn up); Trattoria del Cavaliere in Monopoli (have a walk around the harbour it's lovely); Osteria del Temp Perso in Ostuni (book ahead by email and ask to be in the main restaurant / cave); Borgo Antico in Cistertino (it will be busy when you turn up but it's worth the wait, just put yourself on the waiting list and go and grab a drink!). Thank you again Paolo and family for a wonderful stay in Puglia.