One of the best tips I’ve learned over the years is that if you want to rent a home or villa in Puglia for the summer you need to do it early. Puglia is a popular destination for both Italians and foreign visitors. And its reputation as the perfect place for a summer holiday seems to grow every year, making it even harder to find a place to stay.

A few years back, my family group of 10 waited until March to book a summer vacation rental in Puglia. It didn’t go well. We booked on Airbnb, which can often be hit or miss no matter if you book well in advance or at the last minute.