Masseria Montenapoleone

Masseria Montenapoleone, once a farm and still surrounded by olive groves and cultivated land, sits on top of an ancient cave settlement in Puglia, southern Italy. Around an hour from Bari this picture perfect agriturismo or rustic boutique hotel has stunning views stretching across the and the surrounding hills.

The Monteneve-Van Gaubergen family have transformed the 20-room masseria with flair and creativity, and revived the organic cultivation of the estate with almond trees, olive groves, and citrus orchards.

As you make your way up the long drive, you'll be greeted by the smell of the wild rosemary and oleanders that surround the property.

The farm's production is on a small, organic and sustainable scale. As a guest, you're welcome to help pick the vegetables and fruit from the estate. Simple delicious dishes are produced using the estate's organic produce which includes vegetables, olive oils, figs, pulses and almonds. Fun, communal dinners are enjoyed throughout the week and if you really want to immerse yourself in the local culture try your hand at one of the cooking courses.

Breakfast like a King at La Stalla (the old horse stalls), a rustic corner of the Masseria where lampshades are made from old saddles and the little tables from old weighing scales. All of the produce is picked the same morning with breakfast following the tradition of the farm labourers whose breakfast started at 8 am and was the largest meal of the day. Choose from homemade tarts, local meats and cheese, freshly picked then squeezed fruit juices, homemade jams and much, much more.

La Falegnameria (Carpenter's Workshop) is a wonderful room, full of character, where you can grab a freshly ground coffee or sit at one of the old lamp-lit tables and enjoy a farm-fresh salad.

Great for parties, The Winter Garden, an old tool shed, has been transformed into a Provencal-style room with glass walls, bougainvillea and cacti.  If you're a budding chef and prefer to cooking yourself the Masseria has a communal kitchen where you can cook with the ingredients you have picked from the farm.

The Monteneve-Van Gaubergen family have brought everything they found at the Masseria back to life. From braziers that have been transformed into bathroom mirrors, antique tools that are now lamps to old funnels that are now running taps. There are 19 rooms and 1 suite at Masseria Montenapoleone, all are furnished with an eclectic mix of handmade furniture and rustic antiques. All of the stone-walled rooms have a sitting area with sofa, en-suite bathroom and complimentary WiFi. Some of them sleep up to 5 people, ideal for families.

Bari - 55 minutes
Brindisi - 35 minutes