Villa Sessana By Boutique

An Architect-Made Villa in the Apulian Countryside

There are houses that get built for yield and houses that get built out of conviction. Villa Sessana belongs to the second kind. The owner wanted a home where total privacy wasn't an amenity to be sold but a condition of the place itself. No neighboring houses visible from any window, no street noise, no passing traffic.

The result is a home that earns your attention in subtle ways. Trani stone underfoot, linen and olive wood throughout, these are materials that age well and were chosen because they belong here. The indoor living area opens onto a covered pergola and an outdoor kitchen. The pool runs 10 meters along the side of the house, framed by dry stone walls and the olive grove beyond, and it includes a raised section shallow enough for children to stand in.

Three bedrooms sleep up to six guests, with two bathrooms and generous indoor and outdoor living spaces across both floors. Big tables inside and out mean the house works as well for a family who wants to spread out as for a group of friends who want to stay together.

Ostuni is 10 minutes away. The Adriatic is 20 minutes. The Valle d'Itria, with Alberobello, Locorotondo, Cisternino, is a short drive through a landscape that changes every few kilometers.

What we love

Arriving to find wine, water and taralli waiting on the table, with olive oil and coffee already in the kitchen, is a small thing, but it sets the register for the whole stay. The pool has a raised shallow section at one end, which means children can stand and play while adults are swimming. The outdoor kitchen under the pergola gets used every night by almost everyone who stays. Sit here for an evening and you'll realize you haven't heard a car in three hours, only cicadas.

Layout

Interior: 77 square meters. Bed count: three king beds.

- Bedroom 1 (Master): Stone vault ceiling, en-suite bathroom (four square meters), one king bed

- Bedroom 2 (Sunrise): Window facing sunrise, one king bed

- Bedroom 3 (Sunset): Window facing sunset, one king bed

- Two bathrooms (one en-suite, one shared).

Amenities

Essentials, wireless internet, air conditioning and heating, washer and dryer, bed linens and clothing storage, iron, hair dryer, sound system, carbon monoxide detector, kitchen (refrigerator, freezer, stove, oven, dishwasher, coffee maker, kettle, toaster, blender, cookware, dishes, silverware, baking sheet, wine glasses). Crib and high chair available on request. Outdoor: private pool, outdoor kitchen and barbecue grill, fire pit, patio / balcony with outdoor furniture. Parking on premises, with electric gate access.

Experiences

On-site experiences include sipping local wines, learning to make pasta dishes from local seasonal ingredients, and private chef services with recipe and technique sharing. Delivery of groceries and wines, taxi service, bike rental, local tours, car or boat rental, babysitting and spa/fitness treatments/trainers are also available.

Good to know

On-demand services such as mid-stay cleaning are available but require advance arrangement. The home is accessed via a private road, and a standard car handles it without difficulty in normal conditions.

Around

The villa is located only four kilometers from the UNESCO classified white village of Ostuni. Ostuni sits high above the olive groves of the lower Murgia and has been described as a pearly white tiara that extends across three hills, with a Gothic cathedral centerpiece and a great selection of bars and restaurants in its legendary whitewashed heart.

There is much to see in Puglia, the elegant heel in Italy's boot. As the region has a long coastline, there are many beaches to explore, both sandy and rocky. Begin with Torre Guaceto nature reserve, home to protected marine and wilderness areas, and don't miss the Grotte di Castellana, an extensive karst cave system that is one of Puglia's most popular attractions. The Costa Merlata is a short drive away, home to Puglia’s best beaches and charming fishing harbors such as Savelletri. And the old town of Polignano a Mare, a bit further away, is tucked into the Adriatic coast’s breathtaking cliffs.

Other towns to visit include Ceglie Messapica, Cisternino, Alberobello, Martina Franca, Locorotondo, and Grottaglie with its beautiful ceramics. And don't forget to sample the region's famous olive oils and wines. A car is recommended to make the most of the region.