August 4, 2009

Castellana Cool

Posted by cathyinpuglia under Places, Puglia
Leave a Comment 

The caves really are awesome - and cool!

The caves really are awesome - and cool!


We’ve had friends staying with us this week, which give us an excuse to rediscover some of Puglia’s highlights. And with three small children, we were conscious of the heat. So we headed to Castellana Grotte, about 40 minutes from Ceglie to join one of the guided tours. As we descended the steps into the cave we were hit, first by the beautifully cool 18 degrees, and then by the awesome size of the entrance cave. It is 100m long, 40m wide and 60m tall. There’s a large natural opening at the top of this cavern to the outside, which lets a huge shaft of sunlight enter.

Throughout the tour, the stalactites and stalagmites wow you with their elegance and strength, and then amuse as you are encouraged to determine which worldly object they represent. Everything including an owl, a ballerina’s leg and (naturally) the Madonna are to be found.

The kids (all of us) loved it, and appreciated a respite from the 35 degrees outside. We were only outside again for ten minutes before we needed another ice cream though.

 

July 18, 2009

“Human Kind Cannot bear very much reality “- T.S.Eliot

Posted by tobiaspfunk under Guests, Places, Puglia, Trullo Solari
1 Comment 

“Human Kind

Cannot bear very much reality “- T.S.Eliot

And so taking Mr. Eliot at his word we all need to find a place in which we can escape the dreaded reality that surrounds us. Trullo Solari is a good place to start! Rolling hills, ancient, gnarled and twisted olive trees, beating sun, shady corners, cooling water and most importantly when you travel in a group – a bathroom for all!! ;o)

Places to visit – Martina Franca with it’s chic feel, good food and shops. Cisternino for excellent eating (try Bella Italia). Locorotondo for a wander and lunch at Trattoria Centro Storico (otherwise known as da Giovanni). Torre Guaceto for a pretty beach. Alberobello if you really have to! You can see much prettier trulli around the above towns and you don’t have to suffer the tourist tat hell!! As you may have guessed it didn’t leave much of an impression! If you’re feeling adventurous and you want to see some seriously blue sea head south for 50 minutes to Punto Prosciutta near Porto Cesareo or to Lecce for some baroque splendour. However, there’s always the temptation to just hang out by the pool, drink cocktails, read books and practice your pizza making skills in the evening. The place is truly wonderful and the guys have done a fantastic job of renovating it in a sympathetic and very comfortable style with everything you could possibly need.

If you want to escape from your reality, eat fantastic food, laze around, get some culture, see the most fantastic light you could possibly hope to find and stay in a wonderful place then you could do much worse. We loved it. You will too.

Toby

 

July 16, 2009

AccuWeather.com – Ostuni, ITALY – 15 Day Weather Forecast – Local Weather Forecasts

Posted by cathyinpuglia under Environment, Puglia, Seasons
Leave a Comment 

It’s hot.  Even Accuweather.com has had to come up with a new symbol for the forecast on Saturday – a melting thermometer!  A shiny sun just wouldn’t cut it.  At least there is some breeze today, although it’s a bit like being blasted with a hairdryer.

Great weather for doing nothing.  Loving the siesta…

 

July 13, 2009

History of Trulli

Posted by cathyinpuglia under Articles, Food, Places, Puglia
Leave a Comment 

Just read this great article from The Independent about Alberobello and the history of trulli.  It supports my favourite theory of trulli that they were built so that they could easily be taken down when the tax inspector was due to visit, but this article has much more detail than I’ve seen before.

Also, I can’t argue with their view on the “tourist tat” in Alberobello, it really is in a class of its own.  If you want a pink sparkling model trullo, this is the place to come.  However, there are some quality retailers there.  On a recent visit with friends we found Gino Minerva who owns a wonderful shop – Tholos -  full of local specialities, beautifully packaged.  Gino also has a traditional trullo over the road which is staged as a traditional family home, as well as arranging gastro tours and tastings.  One of his tours includes a demonstration of mozzerella making.  We’re looking forward to putting some special packages together for Trullo Solari guests with him.

 

July 10, 2009

Trullo Solari Arrival Menu

Posted by cathyinpuglia under Food, Trullo Solari
Leave a Comment 

We’re delighted with the response to our new Arrival Menu.  As most people arrive at Trullo Solari late on a Saturday, and shopping opportunities are limited on Sundays, we have always offered to buy food in for our guests’ first meals.  The only problem with that was that I would generally find myself wandering around the supermarket trying to work out what people would like to eat!

To make things easier on everyone, we have now devised a “menu” that you can choose from, some starters (such as prosciutto and melon or zucchini frittata) and main courses (including spaghetti con calamari or swordfish with fresh pesto)  that are quick and simple to cook when you arrive.  We also have recipe sheets for you, in case you need some help putting it all together!  There are also a couple of dishes that I can cook for you (roast vegetable lasagne) and will just need heating when you arrive.  Of course there are a couple of dolce to choose from too.

We’ve offered this service to our guests arriving in the next few weeks, and one has ordered the whole menu so that they have enough food to last until Monday!

 

July 4, 2009

Puglia the new Ibiza?!

Posted by cathyinpuglia under Articles, Places, Puglia
Leave a Comment 

Puglia is often referred to as the new Tuscany, due to its increasing popularity.  It’s a term that we balk at a little as we relish the individual style of Puglia, and its diversity from the rest of Italy.  But of course we also enjoy the increased interest in this amazing area.  This recent article in The Guardian though has taken a new twist!  I can’t say that there is a big gay scene around here, but its great to see new cool bars and restaurants opening.  Can’t wait for an opportunity to head down to Gallipoli and check out some of those beach bars.

 

July 2, 2009

Welcome

Posted by cathyinpuglia under Trullo Solari | Tags: |
[2] Comments 

Welcome to the first Trullo Solari post.  I’ve decided to start a blog so that you can see what’s new at Trullo Solari, some of the projects that we’re undertaking, what’s going on in our wonderful countryside and the latest gossip from Puglia.  If you’ve been to Trullo Solari already then I’m sure this will stir some very happy memories;  or if you are thinking about coming to stay, I hope that you’ll find something here to interest you.

 

« Previous Page