Villetta Caterina - holiday home by the sea near Gallipoli

Apulian way of life between wild-romantic dunes and centuries-old culture

At Rivabella – beautiful seashore – lies lovely Villetta Caterina. The holiday home for six persons is only 200 m from the fine, bright sandy beaches on the Gulf of Gallipoli.

The lively, very well-tended harbor of Gallipoli can still be seen from, but does not ‘touch’ Villetta Caterina. The latter is a paradise for vacationers who seek ideal bathing conditions, nature and varied cultural offers without having to cover great distances.

The house might just appeal to families with younger children. A gate opens onto the private residents-only road where Villetta Caterina and a handful of other holiday homes are located. The small road runs up to and ends at narrow, fragrant pine woods, beyond which lies the fine, gently sloping, public sandy beach. It stretches for several kilometers as far as Lido Conchiglie, a place which, in summer, every now and then even attracts dolphins.

Holiday home with three bedrooms

Villetta Caterina sleeps six persons in three bedrooms, two with double bed, one with twin beds. It also includes a living-dining room, an open kitchen and a bathroom (shower cabin/WC/bidet).

You enter Villetta Caterina into the spacious living-dining room with TV, fireplace, dining furniture and a small sofa. From the adjoining, small kitchen (incl. gas stove, oven, fridge-freezer) a door opens onto the rear terrace, where you find an outdoor shower and a grill at your disposal and also a separate laundry room with washing machine.

The partly roofed terrace at the front of the house is furnished with a table and chairs as well as a sunshade and loungers – so, relax, take it easy, enjoy the great weather in Apulia to the full.

Furnishing of Villetta Caterina also includes fly screens in all the windows and air conditioning (extra charge), which is installed in the hallway and provides for coolness in the bedrooms, if necessary. 

There is parking for one car on the completely fenced property. 

Surroundings, excursions and beaches

The center of Rivabella, about 1 km from Villetta Caterina, is easily reached by walking along the beach, or by car. Grocery stores, restaurants and bars there are open during the summer months (June to September). During low season, shopping is better done at lovely, small Gallipoli, ca. 6 km off, where restaurants, bars and stores are open year round. A special tip for local cuisine – Osteria del Vico in the heart of the Old Town.

Take your time at Gallipoli. Stroll through the town without haste and let the atmosphere of this historic small harbor wash over you. Crossing an impressive stone arch bridge takes you into the Old Town, which sits enthroned on an island and is guarded by formidable Castello Angioino.

Lovely shops where you still find genuine Italian handicraft lie hidden in the numerous small alleys. In Via de Pace Antonietta, the young entrepreneurs of Ellebi offer, for example, handcrafted shoes and bags made of genuine Italian materials for sale. By doing that, they have taken an active part in creating the label Made in Gallipoli.

Should you prefer spending your time sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling at the seaside, then do take a trip to nature reserve Porto Selvaggio, which is located further to the north. The stony coastal section is washed by crystal clear, sparkling turquoise waters and only accessible on foot. Paths bordered by picturesque stone walls run through this ca. 1,100 ha area of pine trees and Mediterranean macchia, past abandoned trulli and ancient watchtowers.   

Nearest train station: Gallipoli (ca. 5 km)

More information about the town of Gallipoli