Puglia is famed for pasta and bread made exclusively from its home-grown durum wheat. Italy's finest olives come from this region and hence its very best olive oil, not to mention a variety of excellent wines, one of which is the Salice Salentino, a powerful red made primarily with the Negro Amaro grape.

There are a multitude of restaurants, trattorias, osterias and bars in the surrounding towns and villages, any of which are between a 5-minute and 20-minute drive by car from the villa and all of which are exceptionally good value.

Cisternino and Ostuni in particular with its winding white streets offer a surprise round every corner, including numerous bars and jazz clubs tucked away down hidden alleys and precariously balanced on steep picturesque whitewashed steps. In addition, there are weekly food and vegetable markets in Ostuni, Cisternino and Martina Franca selling every possible local and regional delicacy. These markets are a delight for anyone keen to taste the full array of local fresh produce.

* A list of tried, tested and recommended local eateries, bars and clubs is included in the villa information pack.