If you’re searching for a unique European vacation experience, consider kicking up your heels on the “high heel” of the Italian boot. While Tuscany, Cinque Terra and the Amalfi Coast have been on travelers’ radars for years, Puglia – the region encompassing Italy’s southeastern peninsula – also beckons with its stunning Adriatic coastline and old-world charm set amongst countless olive trees.

A definitive Puglian experience awaits with a stay at the five-star Il Melograno in the charming hillside town of Monopoli. The first Italian fortified farmhouse to be converted into a luxury hotel, Il Melograno is an intimate retreat exquisitely in-tune with its breathtaking surroundings.

It was once the private summer residence of the Guerra family, which still owns the property and has taken great care to make Il Melograno feel like a true home-away-from-home for their guests. This hospitality begins in your deluxe guestroom, where a bottle of Italian wine and fresh flowers awaits your arrival.

Italians are well-known for their sense of style, which is ever-apparent at this Relais & Chateaux hotel.

“Il Melograno features an extensive art collection ranging from local rural art from the 16^th century to contemporary painters, fabrics and period carpets,” explained Roberta Guerra, who serves as the hotel’s general manager.

Warm, sunny afternoons can be spent on the verdant hotel grounds, relaxing poolside and strolling among old-growth olive trees, whose sculptured trunks have been gnarled by the passing centuries and bent by Adriatic breezes. Luxury Link vacation experiences at Il Melograno also include a spa credit for you to pamper yourself.

On other days, take advantage of the hotel's private beach club, Le Tamerici, with its wide sandy beaches among the most pristine in Italy, “where the sea is of a crystal-clear blue” according to Guerra.

Of course, one of the great pleasures of any Italian holiday is sampling its culinary wonders, and Puglia is renowned for its vast variety of dishes based on local vegetables and fresh pastas unique to the region. Your stay includes daily breakfast at the on-site Ristorante Il Melograno, which also serves lunch and dinner.

“Don’t miss the famous Orecchiette (ear-shaped homemade pasta) with rapini and anchovies or fresh tomatoes, basil and local sheep’s cheese,” said Guerra.

Impeccable style, epicurean delights and old-world Italian hospitality await at Il Melograno, in the under-the-radar region of Puglia. Book your stay today via Luxury Link, and start boasting about your amazing discovery!