We had a magical weeklong stay at Casale Con Cipresso, tucked away deep in the heart of Puglia.
After a short drive from Brindisi airport, we headed down a series of increasingly narrow stone-walled lanes, and when we reached the end of one of those (barely wide enough for the car) we came across the casale itself. It’s a gorgeous setting - a collection of low, stone buildings sitting in fragrant gardens of lavender and rosemary, surrounded by groves of ancient olive trees. We were greeted in person by Marta - utterly charming, knowledgeable and always available by phone for any questions or assistance.
The casale’ s owner, Barbara, works in design (she doesn’t live locally), and it’s evident throughout the property - the furnishings are minimal chic, large windows frame bucolic vistas, the kitchen is full of local hand-made ceramics and the various shaded outdoor terraces are thoughtfully positioned to provide respite from the strong Puglian sun throughout the day.
The casale is 15 minutes from Ostuni, full of good restaurants, grocery stores and charming streets. Within an hour are terrific beaches on both the (rocky) Adriatic and (sandy) Ionian coasts.
While there’s plenty to do in the region, the longer we stayed the harder it became to leave the casale - days lazing by (or in) the cooling pool, taking long lunches on the dining terrace, relaxing in the shade of the beautiful native trees. Life was slow and simple.
Some potential warnings for people. If you require a steady indoor temperature of 72F / 22C 24 hours a day, this isn’t the property for you - AC was provided by just two portable units for a property with six bedrooms and multiple living spaces, but there were cooling breezes to keep things comfortable in the evenings. And while close to town, the property feels remote, with no services within walking distance - we loved this, but a car is essential, and the smaller the car the better given the narrow roads.
Overall, the casale provided the perfect home for a very special week in Puglia. If the warnings don’t deter you, I can’t speak highly enough of Barbara, Marta and the wonderful Casale Con Cipresso.