This is what you dream of in Italy: beautifully converted historic houses, with big kitchens, frescoes, ancient olive trees, citrus groves, long outdoor dining tables, and swimming pools surrounded by pale-stone paving set against the blue-green Mediterranean countryside. We spent several blissful days at the Stone House which began life as a medieval fortified residence, built to defend against incursions from the sea in Italy's deep south. In the 17th century when the fortifications were no longer necessary, it was converted into a Baroque mansion. It's now been transformed into an idyllic escape, with its original features preserved, including carparo (local stone) carvings, vaulted ceilings and ancient frescoes (including one in the bathroom). Its younger sister, the Pink House, dates back to the 18th century and has been renovated since our visit, but promises the same high-spec design and sympathetic restoration.
It's not just the houses that have won us over, however, but the location, in Salento: Puglia's deep southern soul, a taste of the real Italian south. Enveloped in tranquility at the house, we could drive to the powder-blue Ionian Sea or to two beguiling and beautiful Puglian towns within 10-20 minutes. Galatina and Nardo have historic centres full of Medieval and Baroque architecture and buzzy small restaurants. You're close to the lovely beaches around Gallipoli where you can watch the sun set into the sea. Salento is famous for its delicious food and traditions such as the hypnotic tarantella, a dance born out of exorcism, most famously celebrated in Galatina.
Highs
- Glorious, unique historic buildings (several centuries older than most local converted properties) with beautiful design and plenty of space inside and out
- Each one comes with four to five classy bedrooms (Stone House also has an ensuite double in a garden building) - great for a group of friends or for families
- Separated by a long driveway - far enough for separate groups to have privacy, close enough for big parties to book both!
- The big pools are a godsend in summer
- Great location in a tranquil Puglian country setting, which is only a short hop from the shimmering Ionian Sea, and close to interesting towns and sights
Lows
- Bathrooms in Stone House aren't ensuite, except that in the outbuilding (but the Pink House has ensuites in all 4 bedrooms)
- You'll need a car to explore; beaches are 10-20 mins' drive away, shops and restaurants a little closer
- No twin beds in Pink House
- Min stay of 7 nights all year round (arrival day is flexible)
- Houses this special do not come cheap, especially the magnificent Stone House
Best time to go
Spring (May-June) can be lovely, when the weather is usually balmy, wild flowers run riot and the beaches and towns are uncrowded. September is also lovely and the sea has warmed up after the long hot summer. High season runs from July to August, when the region is at its liveliest and very hot, but there are music and food festivals every night in towns across the area.
Our top tips
For groceries the nearest supermarket is a 3-minute drive, and local markets include Galatone (Saturday mornings) and Nardò (Friday mornings). If you don't fancy cooking, you can arrange a private chef to come and cook for you, with meals featuring the incredibly flavoursome, sun-ripened local produce.
There are many great restaurants in easy reach, in Galatone, Galatina, Nardò, and Gallipoli.
There are many great restaurants in easy reach, in Galatone, Galatina, Nardò, and Gallipoli.
- Historic Villas
- 2 villas for 8-10
- Self-catering; chef on request
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car essential
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
Stone House (sleeps 10)
The Stone House has five elegantly pared back double bedrooms. Two bedrooms are downstairs, while the two upstairs (both with long views) are reached via the preserved flagstone staircase, where sensor lights ease the way. We stayed downstairs in a room overlooking the garden, with the bed under an ornate alcove and the headboard echoing the shape of the arch.
Two bedrooms can be made up as twins on request. There’s another double in an outbuilding, with exposed flagstone walls, an ensuite bathroom and a large glass arched doorway framing the garden view.
In the house there are three large bathrooms across both floors with separate toilet cubicles. One has a large wet-room-style shower in an arched alcove, with great shower pressure and blessedly simple controls, plus a fresco of the Madonna. Another, upstairs, has a huge fireplace and a large bespoke tub that’s great fun, especially for kids. Basins resemble the historic carvings of the interior. This is a design in subtle and pleasing tune with its surroundings.
The kitchen is a place where you feel inspired to cook. Good olive oil and balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper are supplied, and there are fresh herbs growing in the small walled garden outside. When we arrived there was also a bowl of fresh figs and pears, picked from the garden, and some bottled water. With an open plan layout, sharing the space a large L-shaped sofa and open fireplace, the kitchen has all the usual appliances along the side wall, and a beautiful wood-hewn table centre stage. Or eat outside if you prefer – there’s a barbecue ideal for grilling some local fish. Help yourself to fig, nut and citrus trees around in season, and fresh eggs laid by the resident hens for breakfast (children will enjoy collecting these).
Pink House (sleeps 8)
Surrounded by vivid green lawns, the Pink House gets its name from the romantic rose-coloured façade that greets you as you roll up the driveway, faded from years under the Puglian sun. Inside, pale limewashed walls and stone floors decorated with traditional tiles flow throughout to create a cool, calming feel.
There are four beautiful double bedrooms. Three are downstairs, one of which opens directly onto the garden. Though not especially large, the concave ceilings add plenty of height and allow the rooms to fill with light, so they feel much bigger than they are. The master suite claims the entire first floor: a vast loft under a pitched roof with an antique wardrobe, designer chairs and a private wraparound terrace that looks across the garden over to the Stone House.
All bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms with rainfall showers set in cosy alcoves, modern hardware and attractive ceramic basins. There are no bathtubs here, so if that’s a must, opt for the Stone House.
The sleek kitchen looks perfect for whipping up family meals. Along with the essential ingredients (salt, pepper, olive oil etc.), you get an oven, induction hob, full fridge-freezer, and plenty of crockery to dress the wooden dining tables, one inside beneath a curved frescoed ceiling and one in the garden under the shade of a verandah.
Activities
- You're only a short drive from the beach, with white-sand stretches lapped by the Ionian Sea. Check out Santa Caterina with its seafront bars and restaurants, and the beautiful cove of Santa Maria al Bagno
- The houses are close to the lively Baroque towns of Nardò and Galatina, the latter with its beautiful church
- Take a guided tour of the glorious villas in the Cenate area of Nardò, a kind of historic millionaire's row between the sea and the town, with each villa grander than the last
- Don't miss the incredible rich tapestry of 15th-century frescoes of Basilica di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria in Galatina
- The walled city of Gallipoli, on an almost-island, jutting into the sea, is a beautiful place to explore
- You're close to the dramatic coast around Torre Uluzzo, where there is a ruined tower and a popular spot for tuffo (cliff) jumping into the sea
- Your hosts can arrange a whole array of activities: horse riding on the beach, yoga and cookery classes, olive oil and wine tasting, bike rental
Kids
This is a wonderful place to come as a family, with big gardens, pools, and plenty to see and do in the surrounding area to please all ages. Children staying in Stone House will love going to collect eggs from the hens in the morning, or picking fruit from the trees. There’s a wide range of games and arts and crafts in a kitchen dresser in Stone House.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Stone House has two rooms that can be set up as twins on request. Teens might like the room in the outbuilding which sleeps two. Pink House has ensuite bathrooms but no bathtubs, whereas Stone House has a huge bathtub in one of the separate bathrooms.
Cots Available
Baby equipment:
- Two baby cots
- Two high chairs
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Kids Activities on site:
- Swimming pool with inflatables (usually open May-September)
- Wooden tree house with board games
- Books and toys
- Arts and crafts
Kids Activities nearby:
- Beaches (nearest is 15-20 minutes drive)
- Country walks
- Horse riding on the beach
Families Should Know:
Stone House has two doors leading to the pool to be locked
Distances:
- Airport: 1 hour (Brindisi)
- Hospital: 12 minutes (Galatina)
- Shops: 3 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The Salento Manor House is 2km from the town of Galatone, and 8km from Nardò, in the southern Puglia peninsula. It's 10km from the coast.
By Air:
Brindisi (Salento) is 1 hour's drive; Bari is 2 hours.
From the Airport
You will need a rental car. The villa has ample parking.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Brindisi (Salento) Airport 73.0 km BDS
- Bari (Karol Wojtyla) Airport 192.0 km BRI
Other:
- Beach 10.0 km
- Shops 1.4 km
- Restaurant 6.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape