Understated Alfresco Living in an Olive Grove in Puglia
This renovated trulli estate in the Valle d'Itria olive groves was designed by CA-SA Studio, the architecture and interior design practice founded in 2021 by Sara Carlesi and Luca Abbadati. The studio specializes in essential forms, native materials, and the genius loci of the Mediterranean, and Dimora MM is a clear demonstration of this centralization of all things organic. With four earthy bedrooms, a minimalist interior, and outdoor spaces (saltwater pool, outdoor kitchen, dining terrace, olive and cactus garden), the stay is grounded in the natural offerings of the land.
The cone-topped trulli structures are traditional to the Valle d'Itria, with dry-stone walls built to hold heat in winter and cool in summer. The renovation by CA-SA Studio keeps that thermal logic intact while opening the home to the outside. Every room leads to the gardens, and the covered alfresco lounge beside the saltwater pool functions as a second living room with its own full kitchen, induction hob, and wine cooler.
The interior takes its palette from the landscape. The space is adorned with furniture designed for both practicality and comfort, the walls sprawl in off-white and sand tones, and the floors are laden in stone. A wood-burning stove anchors the living room, while the kitchen opens directly onto the terrace. Throughout, the styling is sleek—the kind of design that allows you to immerse yourself in comfort while surrounded by the tranquility of the outdoors.
The saltwater pool sits at the heart of the property, surrounded by a covered lounge area with outdoor kitchen, induction hob, barbecue, and wine fridge. A farm table for 10 makes alfresco dining an enticing offer. Beyond the pool zone, a cactus garden and olive grove lounge give the grounds a layered quality. There is always somewhere else to go, somewhere serene, somewhere with a new light.
Layout
This vacation home for rent in San Michele Salentino, Puglia, sleeps up to eight guests. Three queen bedrooms and their en-suite bathrooms sit within the main villa, arranged around an open-plan living room and kitchen. A fourth bedroom occupies a standalone classic trullo with its own en-suite shower. All rooms connect to the gardens.
• Bedroom 1: Queen, en suite
• Bedroom 2: Queen, en suite
• Bedroom 3: Queen, en suite
• Bedroom 4: Queen, en suite, standalone trullo
Good to know
The home is 3km from the village of San Michele Salentino and about 6km from the larger town of San Vito dei Normanni. A car is necessary as the property sits among olive groves just outside the village. The outdoor projector can stream indoors or out. Booking well in advance is recommended for July and August, the peak season for the Valle d'Itria.
Amenities & services
Kitchen: fridge, freezer, dishwasher, oven, grill, toaster, kettle, induction cooktop, espresso machine, coffee maker, wine cellar. Exterior: saltwater pool, outdoor kitchen, fireplace with couches, private terrace, patio, barbecue, outdoor furniture, pool loungers, outdoor shower, parking. Bed linen, bathrobes, towels, pool towels, kitchen towels. Wi-Fi, smart TV, Bluetooth speaker, outdoor sound system. High chair, baby cot, laundry room, washing machine, dryer, iron, 24-hour on-call maintenance, accessible accommodations
Around
Tucked into vineyard-striped hills, this Valle d'Itria charmer is set just outside (3km) the community of San Michele Salentino, a sweet village where time seems to stand still. San Vito dei Normanni is about double the distance, a town offering all possible essentials, market days, and a handful of small cafes and trattorias. Top spots nearby include the white village of Ostuni (18km), foodie haven Ceglie Messapica (16km), and Cisternino (about 30km), all with labyrinthine whitewashed streets, artisan shops, and traditional restaurants and tasting rooms for both olive oil and wine.
The protected Torre Guaceto nature preserve is about 20 kilometers away, a coastal area with abundant wildlife, crossed by biking and walking paths. The area extends along the coastline, backed by grass-tufted sand dunes and the bright blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. The Ionian Sea is also within an easily accessible distance, with favorite beaches at Saturo and Montedarena opening to wide bays with calm, shimmering waters. And if it's a more urban diversion you're seeking, head to Bari, a busy port city with blonde stone buildings filling its Bari Vecchia, or Old Town, and colorful wooden fishing boats bobbing along the Lungomare Nazario Sauro seaside promenade. A coastal cycling path runs through Bari along its seafront viewpoints and municipal beaches.
Location
San Michele Salentino, Puglia, Italy. Nearest airports: Brindisi (BDS, 25km), Bari (BRI, 95km)
Best time to visit
If you’re looking for lush countryside, blooming wildflowers, and mild temperatures, May-June would be the best time to visit. If avoiding crowds is your aim, late April to early May is ideal. Once the summer heat has broken, the beginning of September to the end of October provides warm waters and lively food and wine festivals, as grape harvest commences.
Photography: Alex Reyto
