Quattro Trulli Hideaway
nr Fasano, Puglia & Basilicata, Italy
Reviewed by
Lesley Gillilan
A century or so ago, this was a simple dry-stone farmhouse, gazing out to sea from hillside terraces of almonds and olives. The landscape has changed very little since (over a hundred trees still survive), but the building has been transformed into a classy 3-bedroom villa that works as well for family holidays as it does for small parties of friends.
From the flat coastal plains of the Valle d’Itria, a steep drive limbers up to the house, with its 4 distinctive trulli cones – a curious vernacular feature unique to this region. Inside, restful living spaces and 3 bedrooms (2 double, 1 twin) blend contemporary furniture with the pale greys and sun-bleached limestone of original stonework. French windows open onto a Mediterranean-style herb garden, planted with lemons and beds of scented lavender. On an upper terrace, there is a pool and lawns that merge into olive groves.
Enjoy the rich local cuisine of Puglia - home to Italy’s finest pastas and olive oil, alongside fresh-caught fish and luscious red wines. Sleep under a barrel-vaulted trullo cone. Relax under a pergola on a cool alfresco sofa. You will never tire of the million-dollar views.
From the flat coastal plains of the Valle d’Itria, a steep drive limbers up to the house, with its 4 distinctive trulli cones – a curious vernacular feature unique to this region. Inside, restful living spaces and 3 bedrooms (2 double, 1 twin) blend contemporary furniture with the pale greys and sun-bleached limestone of original stonework. French windows open onto a Mediterranean-style herb garden, planted with lemons and beds of scented lavender. On an upper terrace, there is a pool and lawns that merge into olive groves.
Enjoy the rich local cuisine of Puglia - home to Italy’s finest pastas and olive oil, alongside fresh-caught fish and luscious red wines. Sleep under a barrel-vaulted trullo cone. Relax under a pergola on a cool alfresco sofa. You will never tire of the million-dollar views.
Highs
- The combination of quirky trullo architecture and stylish modern design is beautifully done
- Gorgeous outdoor living spaces - including a kitchen, dining area and glamorous sea-view lounge
- Private pool terrace with sun-loungers on clipped lawns and a hammock slung between olive trees
- Close to Puglia’s must-see towns and villages: Cisternino, Ostuni, Alberobello and Polignano a Mare, among others
- Great value, especially if you fill it
Lows
- You’ll need a car – or a bike – just for essentials: Fasano’s shops and restaurants are close but it’s a bit too far to walk (5km)
- The house is out-of-the-way but not entirely private: you share a drive with a neighbouring property
- Rentals run strictly from Saturday to Saturday (a 7-night minimum stay)
- The pool typically isn't open until May, but as it's unheated this probably won't disappoint off-season travellers
Best time to go
Puglia is at its best in spring (for warm days and wild flowers) or autumn (when the last of the summer heat lingers into October). For those who like it hot, July and August can be roasting, though this busy high season is the best time to catch Puglia’s many holiday-season food and music festivals. The house, with its outdoor lounge and kitchen, is perfectly suited to summer weather.
Our top tips
Puglia’s fertile Itria Valley is the only place in the world to build the quaint, circular trullo houses. You can see them en masse in nearby Alberobello, Puglia’s Instagram central: the village’s spectacular collection of 1500 trulli has earned it Unesco World Heritage status. Inevitably, it’s crowded with tourists, and its busy heart is overwhelmed with souvenir shops. If you prefer to see your trulli in the wild, explore the countryside - they are everywhere.