Masseria Donnagnora - Cinq Chambres Villa, Couchages 10

The white masseria in the walled gardens.

White-washed and handsome, imposing and historic, Masseria Donnagnora rises serenely from the sun-baked earth and silver-green olive groves that surround it. The property's architectural heritage has been lovingly conserved, with story-telling original features at every turn, while the oasis-like enclosed formal gardens thrive with colour, fragrances and vivacity.

Inside: accommodation at Masseria Donnagnora is laid out over a main house on two floors and two independent guest bedrooms accessed externally from the gardens.

Dating back to the 16th century and added to over time, Masseria Donnagnora has a fascinating architectural heritage that’s on show wherever you look: elegant arches, barrel- and star-vaulted ceilings, well-worn staircases, curvaceous apertures, exposed tuff stone walls, niches, flagged flooring and agricultural elements all have a story to tell in the narrative weave of the building’s biography. A painstaking, conservatory restoration has breathed new life into these features, while at the same time subtly inserting luxurious but understated 21st-century comforts. The décor is a harmonious and judiciously minimalist blend of antique pieces, classic country style and comfort.

The entrance to the main house leads into welcoming hallway, off which much of the accommodation flows: to the right six steps lead down under an arch to the open-plan communal area (of which more anon); to the left is a guest WC; and in the corner is the first of two staircases leading up to the upper floor.

Moving straight on, passing through a pair of double doors, one comes to the large, well-equipped kitchen, a splendidly serene space with lofty ceilings, plenty of high windows, and striking, red-and-white patterned tiles covering the floor and the sides of a long central island. A back wall of cabinets and matching bifold doors keep everything in place and hidden away when not in use, a round wooden table adds a sociable feel, and a glass door opens out onto the terraces and gardens. In one corner is the second staircase leading to the first floor.

At the far end of the kitchen, six steps lead down under an arch into the main communal area, which, as mentioned above, is also accessed from the entrance hall. This generously proportioned space is luminous and airy and divided into two sections: to one side is a living area, furnished with a sofa and a number of armchairs gathered around a log-burner, while to the other is a convivial dining area with a long country table. A pair of large arched windows with glass doors inserted into them look out over, and provide easy access to, the walled gardens and the pool area.

The first staircase (in the hallway) leads up to a small landing, off which are the first two bedrooms, both elegant, atmospheric doubles. One has a balcony, an in-room shower and en-suite bathroom with WC and sink; the other has an en-suite shower room. Both look out over the gardens.

The second staircase (in the kitchen), which is quite narrow and steep, leads up to the third bedroom, a romantic double with en-suite shower room and garden views.

The first independent guest bedroom is located in the far corner of the property, near the main entrance to the walled garden. It's a double with an en-suite shower room and a warm, welcoming feel, courtesy of its buttery stone. Next door is a little chapel, offering yet another dimension to this intriguing property.

The second of the two independent guest bedrooms, meanwhile, is about 10m across the gardens from the terrace outside the kitchen. What was, for hundreds of years, an agricultural building is now a splendidly characterful space with high star-vaulted ceilings in creamy stone, a double bed tucked into an alcove, and, down a couple of steps, a spacious en-suite shower room.

Neighbouring the second guest bedroom is the so-called grotta (cave), another evocative part of the property. With its original stone feeding troughs, its barrel-vaulted ceilings, its series of interconnected spaces and its golden aura, this feels like the perfect spot for a spa and wellness centre, and that is exactly it is: there's a sitting and relaxation area, a hydromassage tub, a sauna and a shower room.

Outside: Masseria Donnagnora sits in magnificent split-level walled gardens, a real sanctuary for those wishing to unwind, relax and rejuvenate. There is a gentle formality about the layout: straight stone paths run at right angles to each other, occasionally morphing into steps, merging with areas of terrace and bordering quadrilateral flower beds planted with a wide variety of low-lying aromatic shrubs, herbs and colourful plants. Here and there, especially around the perimeter, are olive, citrus and other trees, which provide shade and an even greater sense of seclusion.

All the rooms on the ground floor of the main house, as well as the two externally accessed bedrooms, open out onto terraces and the gardens beyond. Just outside the kitchen is the first al fresco dining area, perfect for leisurely breakfasts. Sitting in pride of place opposite the main house’s living and dining area, is the elegant pool, raised on one side and with a cushioned sitting area.

Near the first independent guest bedroom and the spa is a large expanse of terrace hosting a shaded living area with well-cushioned built-in seating, an al fresco dining area served by a barbecue, and a shower room with glass ceiling.

Finally, steps lead up onto the roof of the spa and the first guest bedroom, where there is a panoramic gazebo looking out over the property and the surrounding countryside.

Due to the nature of the property including terraces low walls and several drops around the grounds, children must be supervised at all times.

The number of steps that must be negotiated to get into and/or around this property might make it unsuitable for people with mobility problems.

You may also wish to know that the pool has a single depth of 1.4m.

Masseria Donnagnora's backyard is neighboured by a house, which sometimes hosts its owner's dog.

Due to the natural formation of the grotto, a faint odour of the stone may occasionally be noticeable in this area.
Masseria Donnagnora is situated 5km south of Ostuni, a beautifully restored baroque town with stunning panoramic views, and 12km east of the pretty centre of Ceglie Messapica.

The Valle d'Itria is probably best known for its trulli, and nowhere are these more in evidence than in the picture-postcard town of Alberobello. Locorotondo, Cisternino and Martina Franca are also well worth a visit.

If you're looking for beaches, the Adriatic coast plenty of options, as well as some well recommended lidos. A drive of around 20 minutes will take you to a series of sandy bays.

Further afield, Lecce, Gallipoli, Otranto and Monopoli are justly famous towns waiting for you to unlock their secrets.

Arrival details will be confirmed by The Thinking Traveller after your villa is confirmed.

The Thinking Traveller can organise transfers and car hire and an agent will be in touch with you once your villa is confirmed.