It will be love at first sight. Serried ranks of immaculate trulli, sunlight bouncing off pristine walls, expansive terraces shaded by billowing fabric, manicured lawns and luxurious sunloungers around the pool… Not only is this 16th-century masseria blessed with film star looks, it is run sustainably by incredibly thoughtful and affable owners. Old doors have been crafted into bed heads, mirror frames made out of washboards, driftwood fashioned into art, and hand-knitted blankets come from the lovely old ladies of Bari. It’s breathtakingly stylish. Each trullo, once a peasant’s workshop, is now a cosseting bedroom: pebble-coloured, calming, embracing; and there are more bedrooms in the farmhouse. Learn to cook, book a beauty treatment or massage, explore the historic, hike or bike the much-conquered Puglian plains, or take a quiet moment in the masseria baroque chapel. Beaches are 20km, Ostuni six. Come evening, Teo and Patrizia may join you for a craft beer or a glass of excellent wine before you settle down to superb fresh Puglian produce. Perfection? We think so.
We had a fabulous stay and will return! Nothing has been missed in the thorough restoration of this magnificent but simple and now chic manor farm oasis. Teo and his team have painstakingly restored Masseria Cervarolo and expanded every detail that counts for today's demanding cultural traveler and architectural design enthusiast. The sleeping rooms are full of light (but can be darkened by clever shutters) and quite spacious for a former farmhouse situation. Everything feels and is very clean. Air con very quiet but we tried to just use the open windows (with insect screens).