Bellemare

Where it all began: Belle Mare
They say that some journeys never truly end; they just shape who we become. 
For me, that journey began in 1994. My parents took me on my first trip outside of Europe to the island of Mauritius. I can still vividly recall the sensation of that first trip: the blindingly white sand, the turquoise ocean, the lush landscapes, and the incredible food. But what stayed with me most wasn't just the scenery- it was the people. 
I was fascinated by how such a tiny island could be a peaceful tapestry of so many different religions and cultures.

That trip didn’t just wake up my passion for travel; it somehow defined the rest of my life.
 

Finding the Spirit of a Place

As I continued to explore the world, my travel philosophy evolved- I realized that accommodation that reflects the soul of its location could really enhance the travel experience. After being happy with a clean bed and a shower for many years, I found myself searching for places that breathed the local culture and simultaneously offered some more comfort- places with a specific "spirit" and a nice aesthetic.

In 2010, this passion led me to Puglia, Southern Italy. Another place which really touched me. After living big-city-lives in London and Berlin, my husband and I eventually moved to the Apulian countryside and launched a boutique holiday rental business with a simple mission: to offer only those special homes that possess the unique charm and atmosphere of this fantastic region.
 

The Birth of Bellemare

Living in Puglia is great, however, I have never stopped traveling. My way of rewinding after a long day is often researching accommodation and planning itineraries. Over the years, I’ve discovered incredible gems all over the world- some of those places I’ve had the pleasure to experience personally, others are on my list to be visited as soon as I get the chance.

Eventually, the question arose: Why keep these findings to myself?

The name Bellemare is a tribute to that very first spark. Belle Mare is a beautiful stretch of coast on the East of Mauritius that had such an impact on me in the 90s. It felt only right to name this project after the place where it all began. Also: Belle Mare means Beautiful Sea while our platform for Puglia is called Cielo di Puglia (meaning Apulian Sky)- so we continue with the same concept.
 

Not Just Another Booking Site

Bellemare is a deeply personal project. It is a curated collection of places (no matter what price level) that have that special something. 
Along with a fantastic team, I have built this platform to share a "selected" way of traveling. These are the places I would send my closest friends to.

I am so excited to share these discoveries with you, and I am always here to help you plan your next stay. 

Thank you for being part of this new chapter.

Happy travels,
Isabell

p.s. should you be interested in travelling to beautiful Puglia, have a look at our other website: www.cielodipuglia.com