Are you looking for the perfect destination for a relaxing beach holiday the sea with your dog? Imagine a vast area where the countryside meets the coast, still little frequented, among olive groves, pine forests and sandy beaches. This is Marina di Ginosa (in the province of Taranto), on the Ionian coast of Puglia. Here is located Agriturismo La Stornara, an ancient Apulian farmhouse converted into an eco-friendly accommodation facility.
Among the scents of the sea and the surrounding countryside, Roberto has created a pet-friendly oasis. Here there are independent apartments, furnished with kitchen and an outdoor garden.
A few minutes away is the Riserva di Torre Mattoni, nestled in the Aleppo pine forest of the Riserva Naturale di Stornara, with its beach open to farm guests and far away from tourists flows. A protected paradise, where pine forest, sand dunes and the Mediterranean Sea meet, and where animals can roam free and without worries.
Agriturismo La Stornara: pet-friendly hospitality between olive groves and sea
We have interviewed Roberto to find out more about his idea of sustainable and pet-friendly holiday at La Stornara. This is what he told us.
What do your guests appreciate more when they travel with their dog?
Our guests love our commitment in making their stay pet-friendly. Here, dogs are not simply tolerated, but welcomed as true vacation guests. We have imagined our accommodation facility as a safe haven for them too!
Unlike classic hotels and villages, we don’t have strict restrictions, but rely on common sense and mutual respect. For us it is a joy to see dogs walking freely around the estate and socializing with the other animals.
Our accommodation facility is the ideal dimension for them. Since it is nestled among olive and citrus groves, our guests and their animals can breathe fresh air and feel the great power of nature. The tranquility is also marked by the sounds of nature, especially the song of the birds that live in the pine forests. This is where the name “Contrada Stornara” comes from. And then … the unmistakable cock-a-doodle-doo of our rooster, who says good morning to everyone!
The collaboration with the Riserva Naturale di Torre Mattoni is what makes our guests’ stay truly unforgettable. The tranquility that they can feel in the farmhouse continues by the sea.
In fact, this long and isolated beach allows our guest to walk on the shoreline and be lulled by the sound of the waves. There are no limits here: with their dogs, they can dive into the clear waters of the Mediterranean and run freely on the sand and among the trees. In short … there is a sense of authentic freedom that is good for the heart, both for us humans and four our four-legged friends.
Which itineraries do you recommend not to miss?
For trekking and walking enthusiasts, Parco della Murgia offers various excursions with magnificent views. The trails are uncrowded and are ideal also for the most active dogs making the experience unforgettable! Furthermore, they have ravines and canyons that lead through unique landscapes, difficult to find elsewhere in Italy.
For those who love culture and art, the farmhouse is the perfect starting point to reach several destinations.
The most famous? Matera for sure! This is one of the best-known old towns in Italy for its Sassi, the neighborhoods carved into the white rock of the Murgia Materana. This experience is heartbreaking, but to fully enjoy it with your dog we recommend avoiding the middle hours of the day. It’s much better to visit it early in the morning or in the evening: in these moments Matera reveals its most authentic, silent and magical soul!
For a completely safe walk in Matera we recommend keeping your dog on a leash. And for a refreshing stop? Many places have become pet-friendly, but we’ll help you find the ones that best suit you.
Apart from Matera, the region offers many other unexpected treasures. One of this is Craco, the so-called “ghost-town” because of the evacuation of its inhabitants.
Those who visit it feel inside a post-apocalyptic movie. However, the walks around the village are memorable, as are the photos you can take!
The old town of Pisticci is unforgettable as well. Known as “white town” for its white buildings, this is a small and little visited secret town, that can five unique feelings of tranquility and freedom.
If you go towards Valle d’Itria, it’s possible to visit Martina Franca, for an outdoor dinner or an evening walk. There is also Metaponto, to find out more about the Ancient Greek history, just a few steps away from the sea.
What makes the collaboration with the beach of the Riserva Naturale special?
The collaboration with the Riserva Naturale di Torre Mattoni is a goal that makes us very proud. Our wish was to extend the feeling of tranquility and comfort outside the farmhouse. In this way we could offer to our guests the chance to enjoy a protected and pure beach, far away from the chaos of the city. And it was this beach that allowed us to realize this dream.
However, there is another aspect that surprises our guests. It’s the absolute freedom that not only they can experience but also their dogs. Often their movements are limited in the city, between leashes and restrictions. On the contrary, here they can express themselves freely. When we see them run on the beach, dive into the sea and play with their owners, our eyes rejoice!
A slow holiday for the whole family
Staying at Agriturismo La Stornara means slowing down, diving into the nature and living an unforgettable experience with your pet.
Between the scents of the olive groves and the sea of Riserva di Torre Mattoni, Roberto has created the perfect harmony between slow travel and love for animals.
If you are looking for a holiday in Puglia with your whole family, Max included, this is the perfect place for you!
Photos from Agriturismo La Stornara
Agriturismo La Stornara – Green Farm house in Ginosa Marina, Provincia di Taranto, Puglia, IT 
