Villa Itria

Accommodating up to six guests, Villa Itria boasts stunning interiors designed by its owners, an interior designer and an art director. Design enthusiasts will appreciate the sleek lines, organic shapes, carefully selected FLOS lighting, and unique furniture, with some pieces crafted by Spanish artisan and designer Jesús Blasco.

The villa offers serene spaces in calming tones: two living rooms, one with a fireplace, a separate dining room, a fully equipped kitchen, three comfortable bedrooms and bathrooms, and a gym outfitted with Lacertosus equipment. It’s a hotel-like home that perfectly combines the exclusivity of a private villa with the exceptional comfort of hotel services.

Nestled among lush gardens, terraces, and olive trees, Villa Itria offers a true escape into the Apulian countryside, where relaxation and a digital detox are guaranteed. Whether with family or friends, days are spent lounging by the pool, strolling the one-hectare estate, and preparing a Puglian dish in the summer kitchen—the kind of meal you dream about all year. For a masterclass in local cuisine, you can even hire a local chef to reveal the secrets of orecchiette, panzarotti, and focaccia.

Continuing with the culinary theme (it is Italy, after all), nearby Cisternino and Locorotondo are brimming with charming spots beloved by locals. Our top recommendations? La Taverna della Torre and Bina Ristorante di Puglia. Don’t forget to bring home some taralli—savory ring-shaped biscuits often flavored with olive oil and fennel—as a treat for friends. Wine lovers will enjoy Locorotondo’s renowned crisp white wine, perfect for pairing with seafood, especially since the Adriatic Sea is just a 20-minute drive from the villa!

The Puglian countryside, nestled between Bari and Brindisi, is defined by rolling hills, centuries-old olive trees, and vineyards that stretch as far as the eye can see. It’s like stepping into a postcard, where time seems to stand still. Country roads lined with cypress trees and prickly pears lead to charming villages like Locorotondo, where you can wander through cobbled streets and admire whitewashed houses with cummerse roofs made of flat limestone tiles arranged in a sloped pattern.

The region is also dotted with trulli, the iconic stone houses with conical roofs, emblematic of the area and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll find many in the village of Alberobello. For hiking enthusiasts, there are numerous trails that wind through the picturesque Apulian countryside. Another must-see is the region’s capital, Bari! A port city on the Adriatic Sea, its historic center, Barivecchia, is a labyrinth of narrow streets on a peninsula between two harbors. Be sure to visit the 11th-century Basilica of San Nicola and the Murat district, known for its elegant 19th-century architecture. As Jared and Luigi sum it up, “When you explore Puglia, it’s impossible not to fall in love with it.”