As the year draws to an end our Puglia Villa Holidays Review looks back at 2020. Who did we meet? What were the high points? What were the low points? Could we have done anything better? Reviewing 2020, of course, leads us to look forward to the Puglia Holiday Villas 2020 season. We would like to hear from you, our guests and prospective guests. Tell us what makes a villa holiday perfect for you?
Covid-19 was the biggest factor this year, making it difficult for all. Many of our guests were unable, or unwilling – understandably so – to travel to Italy this year. Unfortunately a few had to cancel, the majority have transferred their bookings to 2021. We had a much shorter season, just July and August, and we missed our regular guests who are now friends. Those that did stay were predominantly from mainland Europe and drove from France, Switzerland and Germany. Some of our UK regulars made it, their visits become our holidays.
We take time in this shorter, less frenetic, holiday season to review where we go from here. We, of course, had to review our changeover and cleaning practices due to the coronavirus, to comply with local and national recommendations and from just plain common sense. We will continue with the additional cleaning going forward. Thankfully neither of us, none of our guests and none of our friends, have suffered anything more than mild illnesses. Sadly we were unable to include homemade goodies in our welcome basket.
As always the high points include meeting previous guests who are returning for another holiday at one of our Puglia holiday villas. It’s like having friends come to stay. We love meeting new people too and seeing them relax and enjoy perfect Puglia and sunny Salento. We were unable to go on Wine Tours or arrange any excursions or activities this year. One group of guests did manage a tour at Castellana Grotto but apart from that it was, pretty much, kick back and relax time. Local shops and restaurants were open and we are happy to have been able to support them as much as possible. Our guests enjoyed eating out, alfresco, particularly at Senza Stile and Pepe Rosso in Casalabate. Beach time and pool time were the order of the season. As one guest put it
“It’s the best place to be, we can be outside, everything is open, apart from the wearing of masks and being sensible, Puglia is just like it always has been.”
At the end of November, we are in lockdown again, as are so many of you. We are lucky to be where we are, we can walk on the beach, cycle or walk to the nearest town for essential shopping. WE have time now to think about and plan for the 2021 holiday season. Covid-19 permitting it looks like it will be a very good year, as many guests who were unable to visit this year, are booked for next year. We very much hope to meet new guests and old friends in Puglia in 2021. Through the winter we will continue to work on our two websites, Discover Puglia to provide information and interact with everyone who is interested in Puglia, as a vacation destination, for those who are considering relocating to Puglia and for ex-pats already living her. My Villa Italy continues to be the book direct website for our two holiday villas, where you can book online, directly with us, the owners, and avoid the service charges added by online travel agencies like VRBO, AirB&B, TripAdvisor etc.
We would love to hear your suggestions – what makes a holiday villa perfect for you?
