Palazzo San Vito

Princely Past, Modern Comforts

With its four vaulted bedrooms and vast common areas, this historical palace reveals its refined architectural origins in its peaked cathedral ceilings, faded frescoed remains, and sleek stone floors.

The palace’s bedrooms are furnished with king-sized beds and have ensuite bathrooms, one with a tub and the three others with showers. The primary bedroom has an added outdoor shower just inside its private patio space.

This is Italy—the area tucked between Puglia and Salento—so the kitchen remains at the heart of the home, a fully equipped modern space with an island at its center and direct access to the dining room and the outdoor pool area. A cozy bar space is set intimately with a comfy sofa, and there’s an indoor courtyard garden ideal for reading or meditating.

The enclosed outdoor space features a 40-square-meter swimming pool with lots of shallow space for relaxing in. Sun loungers surround the water, and there are also platform style sun beds alongside the pool, plus a lounge area in the shade of fragrant orange trees, with a built-in barbecue. An alfresco dining table stretches from the kitchen exit towards the pool, and there’s artful landscaping in gravel beds, outdoor plots and planters filling the entry patio.

Experiences

Guests can request a morning breakfast basket, private chef service, an on-site cooking class, massage, personal trainer, or a boat rental for exploring Salento’s prettiest waters. Daily housekeeping (except Sundays) is included, as is garden and pool maintenance.

Around

Conveniently located a quick five minutes from the magnificent Baroque city of Lecce and about 25 minutes from Salento’s best beaches, the palazzo offers a relaxing base from which to discover Puglia. The authentic small village of Galatina is a 15-minute drive, a true Puglian community with a great bakery, Staglio, for fresh focaccia, and Pasticceria Ascalone for standout sweets. Driving south towards Tricase Porto via the scenic route from Otranto offers the perfect opportunity to take in the countryside and stop for a meal at Taverna del Porto or Allo Scoglio. The Valle d’Itria is full of green hills, olive and fruit orchards, vineyards and UNESCO-designated villages. Don’t miss Cisternino or Ceglie Messapica, and be sure to head to the white village of Ostuni and the trulli capital of the world, Alberobello. Grottaglie is the spot for shopping the works of local artisans, its ceramic workshops famed for centuries.

When the sea breezes beckon, the only choice to make is the direction—to the Adriatic or Ionian, both seas under a half hour’s drive. The sleepy seaside town of Santa Caterina is a favorite of the owners, who suggest sunbathing at Salsedine Beach Club. Cove splashing and rocky “cliff” jumping is best at Sant Isidoro beach (25 minutes), with its club Lido Petra a good option. Seaside diners can find their pleasures in San Foca (also 25 minutes), with its waterfront cafes at Mora Mora beach. A bit further, the town of Tricase (45 minutes) resembles a Greek island with its high cliffs and dramatically rugged oceanfront scenery. Stop by Porto Miggiano or Cava di Bauxite to leap into the water. And real adventurers should follow the owners’ recommendation and head an hour’s drive away to Campomarino. Its dunes are worth the drive, and the Lido Posto 9 beach club offers a laid-back day in the sun, with a great fish restaurant to boot!

Location

Lequile, Lecce, Puglia, Italy. Nearest airport: Brindisi (30 mins)

Best time to visit

March to October

Photographs: Alex Reyto, Nicolas Quinou