Masseria Le Monache

An Ancient Convent Reincarnated

With its view of the sea in the distance, stacked stonework dating from 1450, and its private garden and olive grove in the shadow of a dozen darling trulli domes, this former convent has been taken to new heights and reincarnated as a spacious holiday villa. Once inhabited by nuns dedicated to prayer, the retreat now offers contemplation of the natural world and a life of leisure, tucked into bright trulli and vaulted living areas, or around the oversized pool.

Each of the bedrooms features an en-suite bathroom. The property has daily housekeeping, an in-house concierge service, and free bike rentals. Experiences by request include private chef services, a personal trainer, massage, boat tours and cooking classes, as well as grocery shopping services.

Around

Located in the rural heart of Puglia, this former convent makes a great base for exploring the area’s many sights, from Adriatic and Ionian beaches to iconic villages such as Locorotondo (15 minutes by car) the white village of Ostuni (30 minutes), the UNESCO-classified trulli capital of Alberobello (30 minutes), and the sparkling port towns of Polignano a Mare (50 minutes) and historical Monopoli (45 minutes). Other enchanting spots nearby include Ceglie Messapica and Cisternino.

The villa’s home town of Martina Franca cuts a unique figure, with its mostly Baroque-era buildings, many of which are open to the public. Sun worshippers flock to the Adriatic or the Ionian coasts, both seashores reachable in a quick half hour or less by car, with rock-studded, coved beaches offering pretty spots for relaxing in the Puglian sun. The nature reserve of Torre Guaceto offers another place to soak up the Italian sunshine. The Costa Merlata, a rugged coastal zone of dramatic cliffs and hidden coves near enchanting Ceglie Messapica is worth a visit, and the beach of Torre Sana Sabina is a local favorite. The region is famed for its dry-stacked, conical trulli homes, formerly agricultural storages that today stand mostly as fairtytale-like private getaways dotting the hilly rural landscape.

Location

Martina Franca, Puglia, Italy. Nearest airports: Brindisi (50 minutes), Bari (1.25 hours)

Best time to visit

April to October