Casa Damatura, a vacation home rental in Puglia, Italy

A Serene, Sun-Dappled Retreat for Two in Puglia

With its intimate interplay of sunlight and shadow, this newly restored, one-bedroom nest under the shade of ancient trees invites luxurious rest and simple relaxation. A sanctuary-like structure designed by Studiotoff, the home is surrounded by glinting olive trees, with a built-in white pebble and stone courtyard patio that holds a plunge pool and outdoor shower.

The designer retreat was created for slowing down and merges indoor and outdoor living graciously. The vaulted kitchen at the heart of the home overlooks the garden and pool, and it's steps from a handmade outdoor dining table. A spa-like bathroom embellished by handmade marble sinks offers respite and style, and the textiles throughout the space are natural and textural in a soft earthen palette that urges you to recline, rest and sleep soundly.

Around

Located just outside Puglia’s famed gastronomical capital, the village of Ceglie Messapica, this romantic retreat is a great place to enjoy alfresco meals created from the town’s plump produce and creative food artisans. Vineyards add to the olive groves blanketing the hills around Ceglie Messapica, and the town has a lively restaurant scene, dozens of local vineyards and tasting rooms, and a wealth of olive oil producers, too.

The enchanting potter’s village of Grottaglie is nearby, and lovers of architecture shouldn’t miss Francavilla Fontana, known as the “City of the Imperials” for its 15th-century Castello degli Orsini del Balzo and its Baroque era loggia. The city of Martina Franca, about a half-hour away, also offers an abundance of Baroque buildings, including its Doge’s Palace, Basilica, and University Palace.

The better-known villages of Cisternino, Locorotondo, and the trulli capital/UNESCO World Heritage town of Alberobello are easily accessed from the property as well. The striking white village of Ostuni, also a UNESCO site, occupies a regional hilltop, and a bit further afield, the well-heeled port cities of Polignano a Mare and Monopoli are full of charms. Beaches nearby include spots along both the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, offering both quiet coves and long sandy stretches to splash and sun.