Accommodation is arranged on one level and spread between the main house, a separate courtyard wing and a pool house. The impressive entrance hall of the main house leads directly to a generous, open-plan living and dining area, which boasts lofty vaulted ceilings, a grand fireplace, and a series of doors opening out onto the gardens, the terraces and the pool area. The lounge section of this space is furnished with collection of cozy sofas, chairs and poufs, while the dining area features a long table topped by a beautiful chandelier in intricate metalwork. A door from the dining area leads into the superb, large and professionally equipped kitchen that opens out on one side to the outdoor dining area by the pool and on the other to an enclosed courtyard with herb garden.
Villa's sleeping area offer a total of 8 pretty large, elegantly furnished double bedrooms (200 × 200), each with its own en-suite shower room (and one of them with an en-suite bathroom). Three of the bedrooms are in the main house: one, entered from the living room, has access to to the pool area, while the other two, entered from the main entrance hall open into an internal courtyard. The fourth bedroom is in the pool house, which is situated about 20 metres from the main house on the opposite side of the pool.
The remaining bedrooms, one double-twin (200/100 × 200) and three doubles (200 × 200), all with en-suite shower rooms, are set in the separate courtyard wing, located about 10-15m from the main house. There is also a massage room in this wing and an in-villa masseuse is available on request.
The villa is nestled on a private estate of six hectares. The central part of the outdoor areas belongs, without doubt, to the generous terraces and gardens of the pool area, accessed from the living and dining area and the kitchen. The center stage is given to the a great square pool (15 × 14), which may be admired from the elegant sun loungers and comfy garden furniture that surrounds it.
Meals are generally enjoyed at the dreamy, jasmine-scented outdoor dining area, which is served the internal and summer kitchens (this latter equipped with a barbecue). The surrounding grounds also include a small olive grove, some shaded lawns, a boules area, and two courtyards, one between the main house and the converted wing, the other next to the kitchen.
Finally, an external staircase leads up to a big roof terrace, furnished for lounging and providing panoramic vistas over the grounds and the surrounding countryside. This is an excellent spot for an aperitif, with Moroccan lanterns creating a magical ambience in the evening.
The villa is located in the gentle Salento countryside, surrounded by centuries-old olive groves and woods. The area is dotted with lovely rural towns such as Taurisano, Ugento, Miggiano and Specchia, which offering local markets, restaurants, some charming architecture and a sense of the simple life. The sandy beaches of the Ionian coast are a short drive away past Ugento, and you may choose between free beaches and some stylish lidos.
The baroque jewel of Lecce is less than an hour's drive to the north, and is a superb option for a day trip for anyone interested in Italian art and architecture of the 17th and 18th centuries. Further south, the resort town of Leuca, right on the "heel" of Italy, with its Liberty style villas is also well worth a visit. Meanwhile, a short drive to the northwest will take you to the fortified island town of Gallipoli, with its wonderful old centre, its sea-front fish restaurants and a relaxing flair.
