Villetta Caterina - holiday home by the sea near Gallipoli

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

Lovely holiday home Villetta Caterina for six persons is located at Rivabella (beautiful seashore) and only 200 m from the fine, bright sandy beaches on the Gulf of Gallipoli.

The lively, very well-tended harbor of Gallipoli is within sight, but sufficiently far away as not to '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, every now and then in summer, even attracts dolphins.

Holiday home with three bedrooms

Villetta Caterina has got three bedrooms, two with double bed and one with twin beds, a living-dining room, an open kitchen and a bathroom (shower cabin/WC/bidet).

You enter the holiday home into the living-dining room with TV, fireplace, dining furniture and a small sofa. The adjoining, small kitchen (incl. gas stove, oven, fridge-freezer) opens onto the rear terrace, where you can enjoy your meals out in the open. Out back you will also find an outdoor shower and a grill at your disposal as well as a separate laundry room with washing machine.

On the furnished and partly roofed front terrace you can take it easy in the shade or relax on loungers in the sun and enjoy the great weather in Apulia to the full.

All the windows at Villetta Caterina are protected by fly screens and there is an air conditioning unit (extra charge for use) in the hallway. 

Parking for one car is available on the completely fenced property. 

Surroundings, excursions and beaches

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

Take your time when strolling through the old and historic part of Gallipoli. You might already feel its special atmosphere when crossing the impressive stone arch bridge from the mainland onto the island the Old Town is located on and which is guarded by formidable Castello Angioino.

In the numerous small alleys you will come across lovely shops where you still find genuine Italian handicraft. The young entrepreneurs of Ellebi in Via de Pace Antonietta offer, for example, handcrafted shoes and bags made of genuine Italian materials for sale. The can be said to 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 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