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 meters from the fine, bright sandy beaches on the Gulf of Gallipoli.

The lively and 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 you find 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

With its three bedrooms Villetta Caterina accommodates six persons. It also includes a living-dining room, an open kitchen and a bathroom, the latter equipped with WC, bidet and shower cabin. Two of the bedrooms are doubles, the third one is a twin.

Upon entering Villetta Caterina you find yourself in the spacious living-dining room with TV, fireplace, dining furniture and a small sofa. The adjoining, open kitchen is equipped with gas stove, oven and refrigerator with freezer compartment.

The door in the small kitchen opens onto the rear terrace, where you find an outdoor shower and a grill at your disposal and also an extra laundry room with washing machine.

The terrace at the front of the house is furnished and partly roofed. A table and chairs as well as a sunshade and loungers are at your disposal – so, relax and enjoy the great weather in Apulia to the full. The property is completely fenced and offers parking for one car. 

Further furnishing

Furnishing of Villetta Caterina includes air conditioning, which is installed in the hallway and provides for coolness in the bedrooms, if necessary. There are fly screens in all the windows. 

Surroundings, excursions and beaches

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

At Gallipoli, you should take your time, go for an extensive stroll through town and let the atmosphere of this historic small harbor wash over you. Cross the impressive stone arch bridge into the Old Town, which sits enthroned on an island and is dominated by formidable Castello Angioino.

Lovely shops which offer genuine Italian handicrafts 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. Thus 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