VILLA IL GELSO - CASTRO

5 Bedrooms

Location and Surrounding Area
Located in one of the most appreciated areas in Southern Apulia and perched on the cliff overlooking the sea, this seafront villa with pool and private access to the sea is ideally situated to offer complete relaxation and privacy to its guests, providing an opulent escape for those who want to explore this exclusive area. Famous for its whitewashed towns, excellent food, dramatic coastal cliffs and beautiful beaches, this area of Southern Apulia features all the ingredients for the perfect vacation.

Property 10685 is only a couple of steps from the sea in one of the most scenic parts of the mythical Salento in Apulia. The nearby Roman harbor and fishing village of Castro has a historical center up on the hill and a lively marina below. There are plenty of shops and restaurants in the village, all within walking distance of the villa. The nearby coastline is studded with pretty caves, perhaps the most famous being the spectacular Grotta Zinzulusa limestone caves.

The villa is also a few kilometers from Otranto, a natural bridge between the Mediterranean and the East, and a charming land where the ancient atmosphere of the historic center goes hand in hand with a lively nightlife. In less than one hour by car, you can easily reach Gallipoli, whose name means “beautiful city”: before exploring the narrow and paved streets of the historic center, from where you can catch an occasional glimpse of the sea, stop off at the fish market and mingle with the crowds.

Santa Maria di Leuca boasts one of the biggest and most fascinating tourist ports in Salento, with 760 mooring places that can accommodate boats up to 40 meters long. The coast, surrounded by Punta Ristola and Punta Meliso, alternates cliffs and beaches, with the characteristic “bagnarole” made of stone. In Leuca, you will also find the fascinating marine caves that can be visited via boats: the marine life and crystal-clear water underneath the caves make them a perfect hotspot for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Bequeathed with baroque buildings by 17th-century architects, Lecce has a completeness and homogeneity that other Southern Italian metropolises lack. Indeed, so distinctive is Lecce’s architecture that it has acquired its own moniker, Lecce baroque, an expressive and hugely decorative incarnation of the genre replete with gargoyles, asparagus columns and cavorting gremlins. Swooning 18th-century traveler Thomas Ashe thought it 'the most beautiful city in Italy'.

Property 10685 is 100 km from Brindisi Airport (also known as Salento Airport) and 218 km from the Bari Karol Wojtyla International Airport. Castro is 2 km from the villa, Tricase Porto Beach is 7 km, Gagliano del Capo is 19 km, Otranto is 22 km, Santa Maria di Leuca is 25 km, Marina di Felloniche is 28 km, Fontanelle is 39 km, Torre San Giovanni is 33 km, Gallipoli is 47 km, Lecce is 50 km, Porto Cesareo is 74 km.

The Property
Positioned almost directly where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet and perched on the cliff overlooking the sea and the rocks below, Property 10685 provides the perfect retreat for those seeking complete privacy and relaxation in one of the most appreciated seaside areas in Italy. Guests will find it hard to tear themselves from the pool overlooking the sea. Property 10685 can accommodate up to ten guests featuring five bedrooms (two double bedrooms and three twin rooms) with en-suite bathroom with shower.

Surrounded by an exquisitely kept garden, the villa boasts an exceptional swimming pool and a generous paved poolside area equipped with comfortable sun loungers inviting guests to sit back and relax. Offering a peaceful atmosphere, the outdoor space also boasts a generous al fresco lounge area and a dining area under the shade of a pergola where guests can intimately enjoy traditional Italian food. There is direct access to the spectacular rocky coastline of the Adriatic Sea, and a short path leads down into the water.

The five bedrooms (two double bedrooms and three twin rooms), all with en-suite bathroom with shower, are air conditioned, as are all of the rooms in the villa, reflecting the natural colors of the local land and seascapes. Flooded with natural light, the villa boasts a gorgeous well-equipped kitchen, which will entice guests into preparing delicious meals to be eaten al fresco under the stars on the panoramic terrace. The living area opens out onto the terraces and gardens. On request, the twin rooms can be converted into double bedrooms.