This glorious villa is in the Valle d’Itria region, Puglia at its most fascinating and pastoral: all rolling hills, meadows and ancient olive groves. And among them the trulli: witch-hat shaped buildings that look like something out of a fairytale. Rebuilt by Austro-Italian architects Bricchi Marksteiner, this is a small masseria (farmhouse) that encompasses 2 trulli, as pale as if they’ve been sprinkled by icing sugar. The buildings are a wonderful combination of simple curves and straight lines, permeated by pale, tranquil minimalism. Big French windows allow light and air to flood through the space - even in summer, there’s usually a breeze.
The house is perched on a hillside, with views over valleys to the hilltop towns of Cisternino and Locorotondo; olive, almond, apricot, fig, pear and pomegranate trees, lavender and shrubs dot its 2-acre grounds - which includes a small vineyard of heritage grapes. Below the outdoor dining area is a large lake-style swimming pool, which can lead to a tricky choice: whether to wallow around the edge or jump into the luscious deep centre.
Highs
- Perfect for families or friends, with 4 charming bedrooms plus a sofabed
- Traditional Pugliese architecture spectacularly converted, with contemporary, stylish furnishings inside
- This region still feels truly Italian, and the owner provides a great villa book with tons of local information
- Easy to reach: 45 mins from Brindisi airport, 1.5 hours from Bari
- Well set-up for self-catering, with lovely outdoor eating area and Trani-marble table, welcome hamper on arrival
Lows
- The twin rooms lie off the common areas, so may get some noise
- You're not by the sea: the nearest beach is 20 mins’ drive away
- The pool is closed every year until April
- We have not actually met the new (in 2020) owners Stefania and Leonardo, but they plan to keep the same winning formula as before
Best time to go
Puglia’s finest hour is spring (May-June), when the weather’s perfect, wild flowers run riot and the beaches and towns are relatively uncrowded. September and October are also great, especially as the sea has warmed up over the summer. Puglia is packed and baking in August, rather less so in July, but this is also prime time for the region’s many music and food festivals. January to April can be wet and chilly, plus the hotel pool is closed during this time.
Our top tips
Go wine tasting in Locorotondo and other local towns or take authentic cooking lessons; the owners can arrange.
- Boutique Villa
- 4 bedrooms
- Self-catering (+ meals available on request)
- All ages welcome
- Closed: 11 Dec 2024 - 26 Apr 2025
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Bicycles Available
- Mid-week cleaning service
Rooms
There are 2 double and 2 twin rooms. The trullo double has an impressive black-lacquered Lombok 4-poster bed, which draws the eye up to the high-ceilinged pale-stone dome. The ensuite has double sinks and a large, square-cornered bath plus shower. The second double has additional privacy, as it’s separate from the main house, in a traditional building known as a lamia. This room has a spectacular Venetian blind-shaded view across olive groves from a large plate-glass window, and an ensuite bathroom, again with double sinks and big sunken bath and shower.
The twins are back in the main house, leading off the main living area, with French windows giving onto the front or back of the house. They share a central bathroom, which has a large round tub and shower. Floors throughout are Cisternino limestone. There's air-con throughout.
The lounge and dining room are open plan, with cream leather sofas centred on a minimalist open fireplace in the sitting room and a large oak dining table.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Bluetooth sound system
- Central heating
- Cots available
- DVD player
- Fireplace
- Radio
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Eating
The open-plan kitchen is a self-caterer’s delight, with state-of-the-art appliances and lots of work surface and cupboard space. It leads onto the dining room with its large Rovere dining table. Basic ingredients are in the cupboards (like salt, pepper, dried herbs etc) and you'll receive a welcome pack that includes wine, bread, butter, olive oil, eggs, coffee, tea, milk, pasta and fruit.
The external dining area has a spectacular table hewn out of Trani marble - it’s thought to weigh around 4.5 tons, so don’t try to pick it up! There’s also an external kitchen (hobs and work services) and barbecue. There's a small grocery store a 3-minute drive away or you can head to Cisternino for its supermarket (10-minute drive).
If you don’t feel like cooking, however, the owners can arrange for a chef to come in - a practice that's had excellent reviews in the visitors’ book. Most guests like to try Pugliese cuisine and leave it to the chef to conjure up a menu, but they will happily cook to requirement if you prefer. Otherwise there are plenty of recommended restaurants in nearby towns.
Features include:
- Barbecue
- Chef on request
- Dishwasher
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- In-house cook
- Kids' meals
- Oven
Activities
- Roam around trulli country - where the hills are dotted with squat cone-shaped buildings, scrub, olive and fruit trees - on foot, by bike or even horseback
- Meander through the narrow cobbled streets of beautiful white-stone Ostuni, graceful Martina Franca, Locorotondo and Cisternino
- Visit one of the region's vineyards and pick up some excellent wines; or browse the outdoor markets for olives, pasta, sundried tomatoes and more
- Laze by the pool or head to the beaches on the Adriatic coast or the more rugged Ionian coast. If you're into watersports, this is your chance to go windsurfing
- Visit trulli capital, the Unesco World Heritage Site Alberobello, stubby-cone tower central
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Golf
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Horse riding
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Windsurfing
- Wine tasting
Kids
Children are very welcome at this private villa. It sleeps 8 in total and they have 2 cots to borrow if you need. It is probably better for older children than younger ones, primarily because of the steps and unfenced pool, but if you're happy to keep an eye on little ones, it shouldn't be a problem.
What to do? Have a relaxing family holiday, cook together, eat together in the sun or shade, and swim in the pool. Take daytrips to the sea or nearby villages and enjoy each others' company. This is a great place for 2 families to holiday together.
Best for:
Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Trullo is the largest bedroom if you want to add a cot but all rooms can take one. The rooms are all doubles or twins and all bathrooms have a bathtub.
Cots Available
Babysitting:
Available by arrangement with English-speaking sitter. See Rates.
Baby equipment:
- 2 cots available to borrow
- High chair
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Children's meals:
It's a great place for family cooking, with a fabulously-equipped modern kitchen (including microwave), barbecue and outdoor kitchen, nearby well-equipped mini-market just 2 minutes' drive away, and the option of takeaway food or a visiting chef. There are restaurants, markets and shops in Martina Franca, Cisternino and Ceglie Messapica, just a 10 minutes drive away.
Kids Activities on site:
- Swimming pool (unfenced)
- Children's DVD
Kids Activities nearby:
- Alberobello (40 minutes' drive) has some perfectly pint-sized trulli to captivate children
- The beaches on the Adriatic coast, 30 minutes' drive away, have sandy shelving beaches
- Zoo Safari in Fasano, 20 minutes away (wildlife and theme park)
- The Grottoes of Castellana (1 hour's drive)
Families Should Know:
The pool is unfenced and there are a lot of steps and small drops in the villa garden area.
Distances:
- Airport: 1 hour
- Hospital: 10 minutes
- Shops: 2 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The villa is in the Valle d’Itria region, midway between Ostuni and Martina Franca in eastern Puglia.
By Air:
Nearest airports are Brindisi (55km) and Bari (90km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines.
From the Airport
It takes approx 45 minutes from Brindisi airport and 1.5 hours from Bari. The hotel can arrange a 6-seater taxi from Brindisi.
By Train:
If you'd prefer to travel overland from the UK, see the excellent Seat 61. Ostuni is the nearest station and from here you can jump in a taxi.
By Car:
A car is essential if you intend to explore the region - see our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent to you once your booking is confirmed.
Read our guide to Getting to Italy and Getting around
Airports:
- Brindisi 55.0 km BDS
- Bari 90.0 km BRI
Other:
- Beach 20.0 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 8.0 km