Maria's place was an Ostuni dream. Nestled in the heart of the Old Town, at the highest point, it is right round the corner from the Cathedral and the Scoppa Arch. You approach the property by navigating your way up through narrow, windy stone streets, flanked by tall white walls, which are lined with flowering plants. Entering through the large wooden door, opposite a quaint neighbourhood restaurant, you feel very lucky and as though living the way the locals would have done. A note to say that Ostuni is very hilly and that getting up into the Old Town with heavy bags might be a struggle for the less able. Although it is possible to book a lift in a Piaggio Ape – similar to Indian rickshaws.
The entrance space to the apartment is bright and airy, with high ceilings and tall French shutter doors opening onto a small balcony over the street below. There are two comfortable, stylish chairs here for sitting and reading, although there is no sofa. The entire property is lined with beautiful patterned tiles. The bedrooms are large enough with comfortable beds, two doubles and two singles. All with bedside tables and lamps, clothes racks with hangers and even small desks for working at. There is solid wifi to boot. The kitchen is simple but well equipped with dishes and elegant glassware, all the essential cutlery and utensils, gas hobs, oven, fridge with small freezer, and an espresso machine with capsules provided. No dishwasher, but no mind. The bathroom is roomy, sleek and elegant, with a great shower, toilet and bidet, tall mirror, and a vanity mirror above the sink.
A door behind the taller mirror in the bathroom leads up to the terrace – an interesting route, but navigable nonetheless! Here there is also a washing machine and just off the terrace a smaller room for hanging clothes to dry. The terrace itself is something else…very large and completely private, it has a couple of industrial design high tables and benches from which you can sit and enjoy the most amazing views over Ostuni, as though at your own private rooftop bar. The top of the cathedral seems so close you could reach out and touch it! We would come home from an afternoon exploring Ostuni and head straight up to the terrace with a bottle of wine, to watch the sunset over the rooftops as the lights of the buildings begin to glow.
At night, the surrounding streets are quiet and peaceful enough, as the property sits away from the main drag and receives few passers by. There is no air con, but certainly when we were there in September, there was no need, as the windows and balcony doors have bars for security and meshes for the insects, allowing them to be left open and a pleasant breeze blow through the space.
Maria was a great host. Quick to respond, answering all of our questions in very good English. Thanks Maria!