Tenuta San Vito is set in beautiful gardens on a vast working olive farm – a complimentary bottle of the estate’s olive oil is of course provided on arrival!
It’s only a five-minute drive to the local town where you can explore the historic streets, buy some incredible artisan food such as locally made mozzarella and pasta as well as dine out in a variety of restaurants.
The marvellous beaches of Puglia are less than half an hour away. Start off at Torre Guaceto (15km), a nature reserve free from development where you can experience sand dunes and lagoons in complete tranquillity, surrounded by fascinating flora and fauna. In the summer you can hire bikes to follow some spectacular trails through the reserve.
Just to the south, Guna Beach Club (18km) is for those looking for a beautiful setting yet with facilities such as sunbeds and umbrellas as well as a café-bar. To the north is Specchiolla (14km) with its white sandy beaches as well as private beach clubs and restaurants.
For a break from the beach, explore the wonderful city of Ostuni (17km) with its excellent restaurants (including four featuring Michelin stars), stylish bars and rustic trattorias as well as the picture postcard town of Alberobello (50km) which is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its vast number of Trulli. Cisternino (32km) also has its own character and charm, many free summer concerts and some great restaurants.
Brindisi (24km) is also worthy of a visit with its wonderful historic centre, Baroque churches, palm-tree lined boulevards and a great sea-front promenade. It is especially beautiful at night, a great place to go for an excellent meal out before driving home in under half an hour.
Don’t forget there are some great cycling trails straight from Tenuta San Vito leading as far as Brindisi and you can also see some authentic trulli en route without having to head to the more touristy destinations. The owners have some old bikes you can use if you let them know in advance or you can rent them in the local area.
Other activities including horse-riding only 15 mins away and plenty to keep kids entertained if you can drag them away from the estate or beaches. Zoo Safari is within an hour and the water park at Cellino San Marco is even nearer.
For spectacular days out, head further south to the amazing Torre Sant’Andrea (100km) where you can swim in the turquoise waters of this natural paradise or bathe in the rock pool of Grotta della Poesia. For a change of scene away from the coast, the incredible town of Matera in Basilicata (140km) is just over 90 minutes away by car, with its fascinating history and cave dwellings.