Masseria Ferrantino

Superbly constructed by master craftsmen, with perfect attention to period detail from its vaulted ceilings to the hand-carved sandstone walls, this is a modern luxury villa in Puglia, with the footprint and simple elegance of the region’s traditional farmhouses. Huge timber doors fill the arched gateway into the courtyard, which is large enough for a game of badminton and houses a pizza oven, barbecue and big dining table under pergola shade. An external staircase leads to a sun drenched roof terrace, an arched portico shelters the doorways to three en suite bedrooms, and shuttered French windows link the al fresco space with an open-plan living room and kitchen, where stainless steel and contemporary art complement country style furnishings. A guest annexe provides a further two bedrooms, while additional outdoor space comes in the walled garden which surrounds a fifteen metre pool looking out over the olive groves with a lovely al fresco lunch spot.

Masseria Ferrantino is within short drive of shops and a great bakery in Carpignano, and inexpensive informal family friendly restaurants can also be found in Carpignano and in and around other local villages. Many local villages host atmospheric food festivals and concerts. Beautiful sandy beaches including Alimini and Torre dell’Orso with beach clubs are within easy driving distance and surfing, kite surfing, SUP, kayaking can be enjoyed. Day trips on yachts can be enjoyed from Otranto during the season. Cycling is also very popular and bicycles (with guides if required) can also be hired. Salento, this area of southern Puglia is a unspoilt pocket of southern Europe dotted with beautiful towns, villages and superb restaurants. Interesting half day trips include visiting the picturesque old town and beaches of Otranto and Gallipoli and the magnificent baroque town and upmarket shopping of Lecce.