Via Tenuta Di Torre Sabea, Gallipoli, Italy | (888) 551-4925
Near a private beach with beach bar
Surrounded by pine forest
Massive seasonal outdoor swimming pool complex
On-site vineyard and winery with free wine tastings
Sports facilities for tennis, soccer, bocce, and volleyeball
Pizzeria with wine produced on site
Grocery store on-site
24-hour security
Fee for Wi-Fi
Fee for use of poolside lounge chairs and parasols
Linens and towels not provided
Beach has a rocky rather than sandy bottom
Complaints of maintenance problems and mold
Set on in a large pine forest not far from a beach, two-and-a-half pearl Camping La Masseria is a large resort complex with campsites, apartments, bungalows, and mobile homes. This rustic retreat is popular with families who are willing to rough it in exchange for access to a wide array of facilities, including a huge pool complex, a private beach, sports facilities, and an on-site winery. There have been complaints of maintenance issues and mold in some units, and guests are required to bring their own towels and bed linens, so it may not be a good choice for those whose first priority is comfort.
Scene
Rustic resort with family-friendly feel, pool and activities
Set on 124 acres of attractively landscaped grounds and a pine forest, Camping La Masseria is popular with nature lovers, families, youth groups, and couples. Guests mingle around the resort's centerpiece: a swimming pool complex billed as one of the largest in southern Italy. The dusty grounds are far from gorgeous, but they do have large patches of grass as well as a soccer field and a tennis court. The on-site winery is one of the property's prettiest features and has tasting rooms and a garden with bougainvillea and pomegranate trees.
Location
On the coast, near the town of Gallipoli
Camping La Masseria is just off the SS-101 coastal road, a five-minute drive northeast of Gallipoli, an old town on a limestone island that's linked to the mainland by a 16th-century bridge. Gallipoli attractions include Angiono Castle and and the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Agatha of Gallipoli. Next to Camping La Masseria is Splash Acquapark, which has waterslides and activities including mini-cars and a kids' train. The town of Parabita, a 20-minute drive away, has attractions such as the Aragonese Castle and the Palazzo Veneziani, as well as plenty of bars and restaurants. Brindisi is a 45-minute drive away and the Brindisi-Salento Airport takes just under an hour to reach by car.
Rooms
Campsites, apartments, bungalows, and mobile homes with kitchens on pine-shaded grounds
Nestled in a pine forest, Camping La Masseria has campsites for tents and RVs as well as apartments, bungalows, and mobile homes. Campsites are shaded with tarps, and each has an electrical outlet. The camping area has four groups of bathrooms with toilets, sinks, and showers with hot water. Bathrooms are cleaned and disinfected several times a day. The property also has bungalows and studio or one-bedroom apartments, all of which come with private bathrooms, kitchenettes, and shaded verandas. All apartments have heating and most have air-conditioning. Mobile homes are also available and come with microwaves, fridges, flat-screen TVs, and living rooms with sofa beds, but linens are not provided. Past guests have complained of ants, old and worn cookware, malfunctioning heating and cooling systems, dirt, stains, and other maintenance and housekeeping issues.
Features
Huge pool complex, sports facilities, on-site winery, and nearby beach
Camping La Masseria has a wealth of facilities for the entire family. The large main pool has hydro-massage areas and a kids' section with geysers and swimming lanes. The property also has a separate lap pool, a bridge, a huge center deck, a sandy beach, and grassy area for sunbathing. A path leads to a beach with a covered area and a bar, although the water is sometimes murky and the bottom is rocky rather than sandy. There's also a sandwich shop, a bar, and a pizzeria, and wine can be procured from the on-site winery. Additional features include an arcade, a playground, a grocery store, a gift shop, and laundry facilities, and the resort has evening dancing and entertainment during the busy summer season. Parking is free but Wi-Fi incurs a fee.