Booking and Prices :: Locality:: FAQ :: Contact Us
Frequently Asked Questions
How do we get there?
How do I book?
Do you provide a Welcome Pack?
What about departing?
When is the best time to visit Italy?
What is the best way to get to Italy?
Will I need a car in Italy?
What should I take with me?
When can we arrive at the property?
How will we find the property?
What about Shopping?
What is the time difference in Italy?
What is included in the price of my Trulli rental?
What insurance do you provide?
What about travel insurance?
Will we need to pay a security deposit?
What will happen on arrival?
More about the Italian experience.
Are there any extra charges at the property?
Is linen included?
Children?
Does the property have a telephone?
When is the swimming pool open?
What is the maximum occupancy at the property?
Bathroom Provisions
Do appliances work the same in Italy?
What happens if we have a problem during our stay?
Do you have any references, floor plans or additional pictures?
We are not sure yet how many of us will be able to come. Is it a problem adding more people at a later time?
Security?
Extra Services
What services does our agent offer during your stay?
Too much luggage?
Cultural and shopping tours?
Food shops are closed on Sunday?
Information book
Local cook or professional chef?
Maid Service?
Babysitting?
Parties and Weddings at the Trulli
Extra Security
Do you want to buy a villa 'under the Puglian Sun'?
How do we get there?
Our local agent will meet you in the local town and drive with you to the property, where you will then be shown around the Trulli and shown how the house runs, give you the keys and an explanation of services/appliances etc.
Our agent can arrange extra cleaning, bikes, the chef, cooking classes, outings, guided tours etc for you. Our agent can meet you at the airport and guide you to the Trulli (for an extra charge) which is handy if you have lots of luggage and a small car. Our agent is on hand for emergencies and as a local knows the local doctors etc.
Arrival times are between 17.00 and 20.00 to allow time for cleaning. If you arrive on a later flight such as the RyanAir flight, please advise us. If you have sent us your flight information this will have been passed on to the Caretaker, from this she will know approximately when you will be arriving. Give the Caretaker your accommodation voucher
If you arrive after 20.00 without prior notice, a €20 call out charge will apply.
Back to top
Use the contact form on this site to commence booking. Our agent will then inform you of any information you will require.
Back to top
A Welcome pack is available on arrival containing the essentials for first evening/breakfast - please advise if you would like costs for additional baby pack.
A chef can be arranged for one or more nights, cooking classes and demonstrations can be arranged, after learning such skills as pasta from scratch you can then sit down and our chef will serve the food as a dinner party.
This property can be booked along with its 'sister' Trulli Stella (80 meters) away and Trulli Porta Blu (150 meters away) are on our website and are ideal for weddings, parties, anniversaries, family reunions. Each has a private pool for a total capacity of 16-18 people.
The Trulli are close to Hotel Fontenina, which has a gourmet restaurant and a spa. Transportation can be arranged for dinner groups to the hotel. The restaurant is approx 30 minutes walk from the Trulli.
Back to top
On departure, you are required to leave your trullo clean and in good order. Failure to do so may result in the deduction of costs for extra cleaning from your security deposit.
The accommodation should be vacated by 10:00 on the day of departure.
Consumption up to the value of €75.00 is included in the cost of your stay (Trulli Mimosa and Trulli Stella - please ask for rate for Porta Blu on booking). Any usage over this amount will be charged according to a meter reading and this must be paid in euros to the Caretaker before your departure.
Back to top
Italy has a very favourable climate compared to that of the UK with milder winters and warmer, dryer summers. Puglia and southern Italy has a long season and can be visited in March/April until November. It is usually very hot in August which may restrict sight seeing if you do not like high heat as the temperature in Puglia can soar to over 40 degrees.
Back to top
- Flying from Dublin www.aerlingus.ie fly direct to Naples, then drive three and a half hours to Ostuni.
- Aer Lingus fly to Rome and Milan (Linate) and connect well with www.alitalia.it to Bari or Brindisi, drive time 1 hour and 45 mins respectively.
- www.ba.co.uk fly from Gatwick to Bari, book early for the best deals as BA books up very fast.
- www.ryanair.com flies from Stanstead to Bari and Brindisi. Check out Pescara airport as often flight times connect better to Dublin via Stanstead and the drive up the coast is lovely in summer.
- www.tuifly.com flies from Munich to Bari, if you don't mind the wait between flights prices can be cheap.
In other words have a good root around on the internet, be creative and you can come up with a great deal. If you Google any of the airports you will find a list of all airlines to fly in. Some of our clients choose to drive to Italy so that they can stop in France/Germany en route.
Back to top
Back to top
We fully recommend hiring a car while in Italy as our properties are in a rural location which cannot be reached by public transport. The train service is clean and punctual. Car hire is available locally, but we recommend booking at the time of booking your flight as availability can get scarce in high season, and is less expensive online. We like www.autoeurope.com for good rates and flexibility, they charge very little to pick up the car in one airport and drop back to another.
Back to top
- Passport and photocopy of passport
- Driving Licence
- E111 form for free health care
- Torch - for poorly lit streets
- Sun cream
- Mosquito Repellent
- Mobile Phone to contact owner
- Euros - (take some change for the motorway tolls!)
Arrival times are usually between 17:00 and 20:00. We will confirm your approximate time of arrival with you and inform the caretaker.
Back to top
We send out a map/set of directions to every customer. We provide the caretaker's contact number for when you arrive. The caretaker will meet you at a designated location which is easy to find and guide you to the property. We will give your mobile number to our caretaker for ease of communication.
Back to top
The welcome pack will see you through the first evening and morning, however if you arrive in time, we recommend you visit the supermarket in Ceglie Messapica on Saturday evening. It is open until 9pm. There is only one supermarket open on Sunday, about 30 mins away at Fasano. However, most local shops are open on Sunday morning in Ostuni, including bakeries, butchers etc. - See Trulli welcome book for details.
Back to top
Italy is always 1 hour ahead of GMT.
Back to top
- Accommodation
- The first €75.00 of power used (gas and electricity) for Trulli Stella and Trulli Mimosa - please ask for Porta Blu details
- Final cleaning
- Water (the water has been tested and comes from the well. In Italy water is stored in a cistern before use, therefore we don't recommend drinking the tap water, use bottled water in the ice tray too)
- Linen, bath and pool towels.
The properties have public liability insurance. However we recommend you take out insurance for any valuables you want to take with you.
Back to top
It is essential to take out travel insurance against cancellation of your holiday, illness or any loss of personal effects. You should also have public liability insurance included. We recommend you look at insurance services from Blue Insurance at www.multitrip.com
Back to top
You will be asked for a cash deposit of €450 on arrival at the Trulli. This will cover any breakages, electricity etc. The balance will be refunded by caretaker on your departure.
Back to top
You will have a voucher which you hand to the caretaker. She will introduce you to the property, show you how to use electrical appliances, take necessary metre readings and provide you with the welcome pack. Please ask her any questions you may have concerning heating, air conditioning, hot water etc.
Back to top
A holiday in Italy is obviously very different from one in Ireland or England, and there are some variations that you should expect. Our properties are privately owned and do not cater for the mass tourist market. We aim to provide our guests with a more authentic experience. The majority of our guests remark on how peaceful and relaxed their holiday has been, and particularly how welcoming and friendly the local people are.
Animals - As the properties are situated in the countryside occasionally stray dogs or cats make an appearance. Many visitors don't mind and feed them but as some of our visitors have allergies etc we request that you don't encourage them to stay. Please inform the caretaker as we have an arrangement with the local vet to re-house them.
In Italy as the weather is so beautiful you will spend most of your time outdoors. A good variety of outdoor furniture is provided at the properties, sun lounger's tables and chairs etc. The grounds around each house are large, please wander round and help yourself to any fruit in season. Please do not take indoor furniture outside.
Garden and pool maintenance is included in your rental cost, and is usually done on Saturdays, but in busy times the Gardner may occasionally pay a visit.
Back to top
Cleaning and breakages - We ask you to leave the houses in order on your departure. An extra mid stay clean can be arranged at an additional cost. We rely on clients' honesty to replace anything they break or damage or let the Caretaker know, so the matter can be dealt with before the next clients arrive.
Electricity and water - You will need an adaptor (BSI1363) if you want to use any 3 prong Irish or English electrical appliances: electricity is 220 volts.
Water can be in short supply especially in southern Italy so it is better not to be too lavish with it. You pay for pool and garden lighting, please remember that electricity and gas is a lot more expensive in Italy than in UK and Ireland and use sparingly.
Heating costs (after the first €50) are and are paid directly to the Caretaker in Euros. The first load of wood is also included in the price.
Back to top
Beds are made up for your arrival. If you would like linen to be changed mid stay then there will be a local charge. Please check upon booking. Please take with you any cot linen. We provide beach towels (anti-RyanAir baggage restrictions measure). The House towels must not be used at the poolside. Please don't wash the bright beach towels with the pale house ones as the colour might run.
Back to top
We welcome children and have a cot and high chair available free of charge. A word of warning, the pool in not fenced all the way round so extra care must be taken if visiting with small children.
Back to top
Most people have mobile phones. There is a Fedex/Internet office in Ceglie called 'My Office' where you rent a computer, or you can use the computer and WiFi at Fontanina Hotel for a small charge. Public telephones take telephone cards which can be purchased at 'tabacchi' or you can telephone from bars which usually have a phone on a meter.
Back to top
Generally the pools are open from mid May to the end of October. If the use of a swimming pool is important to you, and you are travelling out of the peak season of July/August, please ask us to confirm the availability of the pool for your chosen dates.
Back to top
In our description we write the maximum number which a property sleeps. Only those named on the booking form may occupy the Trullis. We should be notified of any changes and we will do our best to accommodate them.
Back to top
Please take personal provisions with you as only initial basics are provided. Don't forget sun protection as the strength of the Puglian sun can be under estimated.
Back to top
Italian appliances might work a differently than the appliances found in other countries. In Italy you will find gas stoves, rather than electric stoves, sometimes with a glass cover that needs to be lifted before you light the flame. It is a good idea to ask the caretaker how to use the washing machine, the coffee pot, etc when she is doing her 'run through' with you on arrival.
Back to top
If there is any problem with the property please call the Caretaker. She lives nearby and is just a phone call away.
Back to top
We have extra pictures of the properties and can provide you with all the details you need - just ask!
Back to top
No problem! Each property will welcome up to the advertised number of guests. You can always add more names at later times, as well as host unexpected guests (please advise Caretaker for insurance and security purposes) - as long as the number of sleeping places shown on the description of the property is not exceeded.
Back to top
Each Trulli has an alarm system and is subscribed to an armed response team. You will see the security cars passing by from time to time. Sometimes they hoot their horn to let you know they are on the property. They will have been informed of your occupation, so will be expecting to see you. If you inadvertently set the alarm off, they will respond immediately - don't be alarmed - just wave and let them know all is OK.
Back to top
Extra Services
What services does our agent offer during your stay?
Our services do not stop with a perfect holiday villa in Italy. We will try to fulfil any of your requests to make your stay a unique experience.
Back to top
You can ask in advance to have the caretaker meet you at the airport and drive your luggage to the Trulli while guiding you to your location. Please check the cost. We can also; Notify you about ferry and hydrofoil timetables - arrange a private boat - arrange any transfers by taxi, minivan or deluxe car from the airport to your villa.
Back to top
We can book a guide for daily cultural tours, or you can have the opportunity to buy the best Italian fashion with a days shopping. Again, please check the cost and availability with us.
Back to top
Your arrival will be on a Saturday, and what could be better than arriving at your Italian villa and opening the fridge containing all your favourite foods? No problem - just send us a shopping list a week before your arrival and the villa staff will ensure a fully, personally-stocked fridge.
Back to top
This is a guide containing information about the villa. It also gives the addresses and telephone numbers of local recommended restaurants and general information for anyone staying in the area.
Back to top
Local cook: this service is provided by excellent local cooks. They come highly recommended by the owners of the villas and they are skilled in preparing traditional and regional Italian dishes. If you would like to learn how to cook these regional dishes we can arrange cooking classes and of course you get to eat the lovely meal afterwards.
Back to top
We can organise daily cleaning or change of linen for you if require.
Back to top
Please let us know if you require babysitting services or inform caretaker on arrival. She will negotiate costs etc.
Back to top
The villas are ideal location for small wedding parties. Our 3 sister Villas can sleep up to 19 people and the local hotel (5 mins away) can organise the event for you.
Back to top
You can contact us and we will gladly assist you in finding the property of your dream.
Back to top
