When we think of planning a trip to Italy, we think of Venice, Rome, Tuscany, Florence and the Almalfi Coast. Rarely, do we consider the heel of Italy, Puglia. Borgo Egnazia is in the heart of Puglia, Savelletri di Fasano. It’s a little town of fisherman, small white houses and gorgeous architecture. With it’s sprawled out grounds just steps away from the Adriatic Coast, you’ll see why this property is just breathtakingly beautiful. Borgo Egnazia should be considered a 6-star resort. It is so worth the journey, even the famous think so…Jessica Alba & Justin Timberlake were married here and Madonna had a major birthday party at Borgo Egnazia. I mean if it’s good enough for them, it’s got to be good for the rest of us, right?!
Borgo Egnazia
The Michelin restaurants, the beach club, the accommodations and the spa were fabulous, but the people of Puglia made the trip so special. The family owned resort definitely made customer service a priority. Their staff was so well trained and were at our service every step of the way.
The Rooms
The Restaurants
The Pool
Gorgeous views, blue water, beautiful bar and yet we only spent one afternoon here. We loved the beach club so much more!
The Vair Spa
Now for The Vair Spa, the experience was so dreamy. The relaxation rooms and Roman baths were quite the addition to our experience. Even though my husband and I booked a 60 minute massage + facial, we spent an extra hour at the spa. Upon check-in, we were led to separate changing rooms to get into our bathing suits. We started by enjoying their Roman bath experience, where we were led from one water activity to another – a cold plunge, followed by a warm bath, a dry sauna, a washing ritual on a stone bed, and finally an ice massage. From there, we were greeted by barefoot therapists in taupe dresses. The massage is done with olive oil, the facial starts with fresh sage leaves placed over your eyes. There are no branded products, the entire spa is very earthy, with candles and calming music at every corner.
Golf
The Beach Club
We could not get enough of the beach club. A golf cart took us from the main entrance of the property across the street to the beach club with spectacular views of the sea.
Borgo Egnazia Party
Excursions
Matera- City of Stones
We took a tour to the city of Matera located in the region of Basilicata. The city was built into the hills and ravines made of soft tufa stone. The locals carved their homes right into the “sassi” or stones, where they lived in cave-like homes without running water or electricity until the 1950’s. Today many hotels and restaurants in the historic part of town are still housed in these cavernous dwellings.
Tenuta Monacelle
On our last night we enjoyed dinner and entertainment at this country side resort. Conical-roofed ‘Trullo’ buildings and 6 tufa-stone ‘Masseria’ villas (Italian for a country house) make up this beautiful property. My husband even joined the Italian dancers!
My favorite Memory
This experience was the cherry on top! Dinner at the famous Grotta Palazzese! I cannot even remember what I ate, because the view was so over the top. We saw 3 couples propose. Talk about the most romantic restaurant in the world!
Getting to Borgo Egnazia
Located in the heart of Puglia, deep in the heel of Italy, Borgo Egnazia is easily reachable from the Bari airport with several flights departing daily. We took a Delta flight from Delta to Rome, then Ryan Air to Bari. Borgo Egnazia is located 40 minutes from the airport. You can arrange transportation right from the hotel.
Rates/Points
We traveled in the month of June, which is on the earlier of peak season. With Chase Ultimate Rewards program, rooms range from 44,000-60,000 points/night and rates start at $600/night. You can split points plus cash too!
Puglia should be added to your next Italian vacation. We are helping a client work his way through Italy this coming summer using mostly credit card points. He’s going to ask his girlfriend to marry him! We are excited to help and smitten with this itinerary!
Day 1-2 Rome
Day2-5 Train from Rome to Naples, then Almalfi Coast
Day 5-8 Train from Naples to Bari, then to Puglia.
*some photos courtesy of Borgo Egnazia
Beth S.
Tiffany is truly a credit card point guru. She was very patient and helped my husband and I navigate our credit card point game.
William F.
WE’VE SAT ON THOUSANDS OF POINTS FOR YEARS WITH NO CLUE HOW TO REALLY USE THEM. TIFFANY COACHED US HOW TO COMBINE OUR POINTS, TRANSFER POINTS AND ADD MORE POINTS THROUGH CREDIT CARD SIGN-ON BONUSES. AWESOME SERVICE.
SUZANNE M.
WE OWN A SMALL BUSINESS AND HAVE ALWAYS WRITTEN CHECKS OR USED OUR DEBIT CARD EARNING ZERO TRAVEL REWARDS. WE’VE CHANGED OUR WHOLE WAY OF MANAGING MONEY AND ARE ON OUR WAY TO A FREE LUXURY VACATION THANKS TO TIFFANY.
JANET M.
TIFFANY HELPED MY HUSBAND AND I EARN A VACATION TO CROATIA BY USING SPECIFIC TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS ON OUR DAUGHTER’S WEDDING. WE HAD PLANNED TO WRITE CHECKS TO ALL OF THE VENDORS, SO GLAD WE MADE A 1:1 COACHING CALL.
Liz R.
WITH TIFFANY’S GUIDANCE, we EARNED 400,000 CREDIT CARD POINTS BUT WE DIDN’T KNOW HOW BEST TO USE THEM. WE HIRED HER TO PLAN OUR TRIP USING A COMBINATION OF POINTS, MILES AND CASH (CREDIT CARD). HIRING HER WAS THE BEST MONEY I’VE EVER SPENT. SHE WENT WAY ABOVE AND BEYOND. PARIS HERE WE COME.
