We Visited this holiday Village in early July 2013 for two weeks. The Village is on the Adriatic Coast of Italy in the North of Puglia near a holiday Town of Marina Di Lesina.
Both I and my family were not too sure as to what to expect as all the reviews on this place are written by Italians. However, we are an adventurous crowd and decided to give it a whirl and have a holiday there.
We booked a holiday bungalow thinking it was full board, however, due to my poor understanding of Italian I ended up with self-catering. Not a problem as I like to cook and it would give us opportunities to eat out.
Check in can be complicated to those not too conversant in Italian but the reception staff were both helpful and accommodating. They were also immaculately dressed, pleasant and polite.
The accommodation comprised of a single storey row of brick built holiday homes. The Kitchen cum dining room is open to the element and is only protected by a thick, tarpaulin type curtain and a fence but it works so well. This was great as during the day we had the curtain open and it was like eating alfresco every time we ate. However, at night we would close the curtain for fear of being attacked by the dreaded Zanzare (mosquitoes). The place is regularly fumigated late at night so it’s not too much of a problem. The kitchen is equipped with a fridge, microwave and 4 ring gas stove. I missed having an oven and we were heavily reliant on the gas stove. The kitchen had little utensils and a few more would have help.
The inside accommodation comprised of two bedrooms and a bathroom. The bedrooms were large and could accommodate my 3 young children and my wife and me. There is a dated television which works fine and an abundance of storage space and cupboards. I would go along to say that the home was almost perfect. The air conditioning was excellent and needed for us used to the Northern European Climate.
The room was spotlessly clean and very comfortable. The bathroom comprised of a shower only, which was big and roomy.
When you book there are charges which are not included. These are made clear. The charges for the accommodation include ‘Consumi’(electric, water and gas charges), biancheria da bagno (towels) and ‘Pulizia finale,’(Final cleaning of home).’ Also they supply you a credit type card that is loaded up with 50 euro which you either pay for there and then or settle at the end of the stay. The card allows you to use at the resorts only bar, shop and pizzeria. Money is deducted rather than the use of cash.
These holiday villages have a team of young people and are known as the ‘Animation Team.’ They are responsible to keep the young holiday makers happy occupied with an abundance of events and activities. My kids took part in model cat walk show one night in the amphitheatre. They also would look after the children during the day and take them to the beach or swimming pool. You can collect your kids for lunch but for 10 euro per child they will feed them in the dining room. They really do try and please the kids and some of the girls spoke a little English which helped my kids. I believe that there are two groups, up to 12 years and then teens. My kids were with the young group.
The private beach is either a 10 minute walk or you can hop on the resorts train. The stay includes a private umbrella and two chairs. If you’re early enough on check in day you can go to the beach and register a bed near the sea as opposed to the back. The condition of the beach is again clean. However, during the second week of our stay the sea was rough and this stirred the sea debris to come ashore which did spoil the swimming experience. When the sea was calm it was great and child friendly as the beach gently sloped out under the sea. Again, the Animation team were out in force on the beach and they did plenty of activities, some for adults such as exercise.
We loved the simple, clean and small pool in the resort. It was staffed by an attentive life guard who improved my 6 year old child’s swimming. When the kids were away with the animation team my wife and I had ample time to enjoy the pool.
At the bottom of the Village there is a fun pool complex. This has an abundance of slides, flumes and pools. It’s great for the kids and adults alike. It’s free to use Monday to Friday but at weekends there is a charge to use it. Again the animation team are there and they do many activities including aquarobics for the adults and older children.
The dining Room is huge and is buffet style. Unless you go for full board it is expensive to eat there. They have themed nights which offered food from the local region accompanied with local wine.
At night there is a regular show at the amphitheater. It’s all in Italian so unless you speak good Italian you are limited. In the bar area they have regular discos and locally themed dancing.
Facilities include, a launderette, football and tennis courts, an outdoor gym, archery, football pitches.
If you have a car you can explore the local area or shop in the nearby towns. The town of Marina di Lesina is pretty much a non-event as there is very little there to see and do. There are a few restaurant and we did eat there on two occasions.
Altogether, we thoroughly enjoyed the village. It is totally geared up for Italians and, although I speak little Italian, my family don’t. If they had the holiday would have been enhanced for them.
Great place, great staff and great facilities. Would we go again? I think we would.