Palazzo Ducale Venturi is in Minervino di Lecce about hour’s drive from Brindisi. Take a book, switch off your phone, try to switch off your worries and enjoy your own touch of authentic Italian luxury in Puglia.
Palazzo Ducale Venturi
Via Podgora, 60, 73027 Minervino di Lecce LE, Italy
The Puglian Welcome
Is a southern Italian welcome which for me was seeing the manager Martina Provenzano stride across the central foyer with a beaming smile and great warmth to embrace. We are in Italy and in the south. To my mind she represents the character of the hotel. She is a local and proud of it but has lived and travelled across the world.
What do you want for your piece of Italian luxury holiday, in fact even just asking yourself what you want is one of those good life questions.
It’s not on the sea or have an amazing vista or situated in a big forest or any of those landscapes that makes Instagram explode and it’s because of this that is its strength.
It’s a beautiful Palazzo in a large village and to that end it’s a touch of genuine Italian charm.
I adored because it’s not trying to shout, which is its great strength.
I love food.
I love a good sleep, which I did very easily.
and I love to let go and just exist, so I was very happy and perfectly charmed.
A place you should frequent particularly if you are on your own or your partner is off doing something, is to just sit in centre of the hotel and exist. It’s a perfect spot to read a book for half an hour or just do nothing. The art of doing nothing which in Italian is “Dolce far Niente” which literally translates to the sweetness of doing nothing.
You can see the kitchen goings on, hear the chit chat, feel the breeze coming through the tall linen curtains and hear the gentle hum of people arriving and departing at the entrance.
This is when I am at my happiest, pottering, wandering and not planning and most of my favourite days are when I do something off the cuff and this is why Gentlemans Butler’s newsletter is called Le Flaneur which in French means a type of male “stroller”, “lounger”, “saunterer” www.gentlemansbutler.com/le-flaneur/
Something I love as it means I am happy, content and relaxed. Perfetto
Minervino di Lecce
Wander into the village of Minervino, the king of the villages. To my mind one of the great joys to this area is it’s not shouting out its name but existing. I am told the town is of good decent but today as a traveller its brilliance is its humble charm.
You can quite happily walk out of the hotel, wander down the road and in ten minutes sit in a little café and just let the world go by.
To my mind I turn the world into black and white, probably back to the 50’s and imagine I am a bit part in Federico Fellini film.
Stop for a café but remember to order the correct coffee at the correct time, after all you are now an important character in an Italian Film Noir so act the part.
The area has true identity and a really genuine feel.
Puglian Food
Personally, I would not overcomplicate your choice of food but just experience the genuine and heartfelt food. I think in general Italy is not over known for its breakfast, well a trip into the dining room at Palazzo Ducale Venturi I think would change that opinion very quickly.
Spread across some simple white clothes on country styled plates, English ones I might add, you will taste an array of pastry, biscuit, crumble-based goodies, all handmade in the hotel or bought locally, along with the normal juices and fruits.
Like many establishments of this type the Palazzo is the elder stateman of the village and to that end has a responsibility to their surroundings, so support local businesses with buying their produce.
The Bicycle
The bicycle is not a movie, but I like the name.
Coming from a film background I adored looking out of my bedroom window to the front onto a quiet little street. It gives you a feel and a real feeling and you can imagine you own movie for yourself. You think its all quiet, but is it!!
Sit by the pool and look out at the beautiful building
Sleep and then dive into a hot shower whilst looking up at the vaulted ceiling and think of the history that has gone before you.
You will either be on a bike or if not maybe dream up a story in your mind that you are on the Tour de Italia and that’s no accident as the hotel has bikes to use but more to the point many of its guests are on cycling holidays.
Apart from this do three things but ultimately try to switch your brain off and enjoy a touch of southern Italian charm situated in the splendour of your own Palazzo for the time you are there.
An evening in Lecce promenading with your loved one
As you walk through the 15th century gate to the city of Lecce you will be greeted by the sandstone baroque architecture.
Some of it is tranquil, others enlightening as you might expect from a city with a strong history of nuns and monks.
As you stroll through the city meandering, chatting and conversing understand that that is exactly the Italian way, particularly in Puglia.
Stop off at the oldest coffee shop Caffe Cittadino where the rich people went due to its Arabica beans and unique the Negro Amari which you can get just in Puglia.
It’s like a movie set and that’s perhaps why “Under the stars” a new Andy Garcia movie was filmed there.
Enjoy some Rustico Lecce, which is their local pizza or Bruscetta which is what I did with
Angela Venturi who is from the family who owned The Palazzo Venturi which dates back 500 years.
The People of Puglia
The south of Italy was all one originally. Puglia joined with Sardinia and Sicily as a southern state. More traditional, poorer, but like many parts of the world that has this type of history filled with a warm heart and not so obsessed by the clock.
Historically Greek was spoken here with both the Greiko and Ottoman empires having prevailed, and today that Greek mix that you hear today is reflected by the fact that you drive along the coast your radio will turn to Greek radio every so often showing how close you are.
Otranto
Embodies the charm of Puglia
For me the joy of Otranto is that it’s a town with history by the sea with one clear message that of a fusion of religion and the multi-cultural cross over of cultures which in many ways makes it incredibly progressive and inclusive.
This is all recounted in the tree of life situated in the Otranto Cathedral, with a rose window and ornate mosaic flooring.
My three tit bits for those of a curious nature is to
– See the meaning of the tree and find out about Pantaleone who had nothing to do with pants or trousers!
– The Music Festival in Puglia, La Notte Della Taranta at the end of August dancing, mmmm metal tambourines, people meeting, costumes and talking about women, a strange sci-fi film from Norway or more clues!!
– Find out about Tarantella which is derived from the Italian word meaning tarantula, meaning “tarantula” but do not worry you will not be bitten!
Sorry you will have to visit to find out the answers, I am just giving you the clues.
By the sea in Puglia
Go for lunch at Orte , a long one, walk and wander along the rock pools. If you are with your loved one, hug, kiss and just let the sun sink in.
If you can get a car, preferably a vintage Alfa Romeo, pretend you are Claudia Cardinale if you are a lady. Head scarf blowing in the wind and the smell of the pine trees and flowers in the field wafting by.
I adore the sea full stop but more than that I just respond to so positively to experiencing real beauty and sitting on a table listening to the local chatter.
Have a drive along the coast in the late afternoon light. Then return home and dream in Italian and promise to return soon.
THE END or is it
Ciao Ciao
When I left, I was asked how my stay was? I said it was lovely, kind and happy, as the feeling is of an extended family as yes, the staff work hard but with your stay you will feel I am sure a genuine feeling of love. They are good people; the building has fantastic architecture and really top class good authentic Italian food.
My understanding is Arrivederci is goodbye, A presto is see you soon and Alla prossima is Until next time.
So
A presto Palazzo Ducale Venturi
And please do not bash your head – Sorry a little joke. You will have to visit to find out why.
Palazzo Ducale Venturi
Via Podgora, 60, 73027 Minervino di Lecce LE, Italy