Casale Madre

The highlights

• Lovely restored old country house with a big pool and a fabulous covered veranda where you can BBQ the evening away.
• Within easy driving distance of some beautiful beaches on the Marina de Ostuni, where you can also enjoy some excellent cocktails!
• Ostuni itself is a gorgeous old city with winding alleys, white buildings and a host of wonderful restaurants and shops.
• It's pet friendly so do bring the pooch if you can.

You should know

• Cot and highchair are available but the cot is charged at an additional 25 euros.
• The pool can be heated upon request for a fee.
• There's a laundry room with washer and dryer so no need to pack the kitchen sink.
• Private parking is available to all guests.

The detail

Casale Madre is a lovely spacious and cool old country house restored and renovated to fit seamlessly into the local landscape. It would be ideal for a family holiday or a group of friends looking to chill by the pool.

Despite its age, the house has a modern feel with white walls matching the traditional homes of the area. The interior has been designed for comfort in the hot summers with high ceilings, cool dark stone and marble and some beautiful family antiques which have been lovingly restored.

The kitchen is large, modern and fully equipped with state of the art appliances. There's a tiled freestanding countertop where you can prepare a fabulous meal to enjoy at the shiny red table with charmingly mismatched chairs that comfortably seat six. The space feels cool and airy with a largely open plan design and wide arched doorways leading from one room to another.

Tucked away at one end is a living room which is simple with comfy seating and a TV, and round the corner is a second lounge area with seating and an old stone fireplace reminiscent of the building's long history. Both rooms are paved with the original chianche tiles which are cool and stylish against the pale terracotta walls.

There's one double bedroom which is spacious and comfortable with an ensuite and plenty of storage room. The ground floor is also home to a Turkish bath where you can sit under the cool shower and wash the heat away.

On the second floor you'll find two further double bedrooms. The focus of the hosts has been on a clean, cool space with a very comfortable large bed and lots of storage space. Both have ensuites with showers and stylish square bathtubs which are all made of earthenware, a traditional and organic material utterly in-keeping with the natural surroundings.

After a deep night's rest and a bracing shower you can head down to the kitchen, make some breakfast and take it out to start the day in style on the private veranda. The space is large and covered, with a big cushioned sofa and a long wooden dining table.

As the morning heats up you might like to grab a towel and head down to the big swimming pool which also boasts a geyser and hydro-massage. Bob around or do some laps. Crack open a bottle of prosecco and simply lounge around in the shade with a good book. However you choose to spend the day, you'll be in lovely surroundings with the ancient olive and almond trees all around.

When it's time to head out you can take advantage of the outside shower post-swim, throw on your flip flops and make your way into the centre of Ostuni. Known as The White City for its pale buildings and winding alleys, it's a delightful part of Puglia with much to offer.

To get a great view over the whole area, head up to Corso Vittorio Emanuele II and take a seat at the viewpoint, which is particularly stunning at sunset. If you need refreshment or fancy a nice dinner you could grab an aperitivo at Ristorante La Vecchia Terrazza, which overlooks the same view. There's a Saturday local market where you can stock up on everything from fruits and vegetables to local crafts. You'll also be just a short drive from some beautiful beaches all lined up along the 'Marina de Ostuni'.

Features

Essential