Enza has a wonderful eye that makes this place a very special place to stay. She knows that simple is best, selects items for their intrinsic usefulness and ensures that nothing jars the aesthetic, so we have tin tubs, old bowls, plain linens, rag rugs and so on.
Inside, the trullo is much larger than you'd expect, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a laundry, plus kitchen, dining and living areas. The construction is fascinating. The beds were comfortable, the shower was good, and the wifi worked.
We were there in an early heatwave, but by following instructions to close the place up during the day, it remained relatively cool. There are also fans.
However, the outside is where the trullo really shines. It has several distinct spaces to enjoy - a shaded outdoor dining patio, a barbecue/firepit, large garden with vegetables, expansive spaces cleverly planted with drought resistant species and shady olive trees. Two areas are particularly special: the rocking loungers under a lovely olive tree and the glorious pool, with lounging seats under simply draped hessian for shade. Beautiful.
Several trees are draped with solar fairy lights, and there are candles and very good outdoor lighting.
The pool is wonderful. It is a good size and always seemed to be at the perfect temperature. Mind, though, the top step is pretty deep. One of our favourite things to do was to go for night swims, when the water is silky and warm after a hot day, the stars glitter above you and the wee bats are constantly swooping to hunt for insects.
We are animal lovers and enjoyed the docile presence of the two donkeys, and the friendly rescue dogs next door. The cats also lost their initial shyness and would visit every morning.
Enza's mother came over to give us pasta lessons and together we created a simple local dish, alongside generous shots of her homemade limoncello.
The trullo is in a rural location, just outside of lovely Locorotondo, and Ostuni and Alberobello are nearby. The coast is not far, and perfect for fresh seafood.
We had 9 days there, and felt equally happy exploring the region or just staying at the trullo and relaxing.
There was one slightly unusual thing in that there are no toilet seats. You get used to it, but I've stayed in many holiday homes and hotels across the globe, and it is something I have not encountered in such high quality accommodation.
Also, make sure you factor in time to take your rubbish to the collection point a few kilometres away. It is open only at certain times, and you may find yourself in a queue when it suddenly closes which can be a bit of an inconvenience. You just need to plan.
We highly recommend Enza's place for a magical stay