As international interior designers we had travelled extensively seeking a suitable location for a holiday home. We longed to have a quiet retreat where we could install a pool and enjoy nature. We chanced upon Puglia about ten years ago, it ticked all the boxes. Hailing from Yorkshire, my partner fell in love with the 'dry stone' walls throughout the region. Yorkshire in the sun. As the 'foodie' I'd found heaven. Fresh and plentiful local produce, great daily markets, excellent local wines and of course, golden olive oil. There is much to enjoy here. The locals are delightful, we have made wonderful friends including our builder. We still speak!
We have loved creating this house that we share with family, friends and guests and hope that everyone will enjoy, share and cherish our dream.

Finally, a place in the sun. Puglia offers the lot; great people, rustic food, wonderful scenery and baroque 'wedding cake' architecture. We enjoy Italy's largest coastline with the both Adriatic and Ionian seas, one a 15 minute drive the other 40 minutes.
The house is set within 1.5 acres of land with ancient olive trees producing delicious golden oil. Our landscaping programme has recently added fruit trees and an almond orchard. We are peacefully located in the beautiful Valle d'Itria and overlook our 'own valley' beyond, yet the lovely historic town of Cisternino is very close. The town is very centrally placed,surrounded by beautiful historic towns and World Heritage protected sites. Access by car, is 40 minutes drive from Brindisi airport,50 minutes from Bari airport. We invite you to come, share and enjoy this loveliest part of Italy.

TRULLO
A 'trullo' one cone , or 'trulli ' more than one cone are strange buildings that are unique only to this part of Italy and this part of the world.
They are small, round, cone shaped , 'beehive' like buildings. whose white stone walls and stone laid tops come to a point at the roof , finished with an array of decorative finials often with religious or mystical symbols painted on. These strange buildings , like little igloos in the sun, were where a labourer could store and even bed down with his arable and livestock. They remain concentrated around Alberobello and the surrounding countryside and nearby towns. Their ancient origins remain unclear, but many historians say that they were constructed of un-mortared stone ( like the dry stone wall buildings,) so that they could be quickly demolished when the Spanish tax collectors came around, thereafter they could be quickly rebuilt. Farmers and local people still inhabit a great many, some that fell into disrepair have been turned in to holiday homes for rich Milanese and discerning Europeans. Some are connected into smart restaurants and even smarter boutique hotels.

The property is extremely well sited in the beautiful, picturesque heartland of Puglia, the Itrian valley.
We enjoy a peaceful rural setting, out of sight of neighbours,off a quiet road near the historic centre of Cisternino.
We have enjoyed interior designing and decorating this house from the ancient Trulli structures and a contemporary extension that enjoys far reaching valley views from the raised dining pergola.
Lots of terraces to enjoy, and a discreetly sited pool with its pergola and bathing terraces.
The nearby towns all offer something special. Gastronomy in Ceglie Messapica, chic shopping in Martina Franca, pretty Locorotando, Ostuni and baroque Lecce and the amazing 'hobbit central' beauty of the trulli capital, Alberobello. Lovely beaches and 'lidi' are a scenic drive away.

PUGLIA
Frederick II of Swabia , a Holy Roman Emperor, King of Germany and King of Sicily , is said to have declared :
' It is quite clear that the God of the Jews did not know Puglia , or he would not have given his people Palestine as the promised land '.

( Anna Del Conte & Val Archer )

CUCINA POVERA
The cooking of Southern Italy in general, and particularly in Puglia is often extremely simple but made with top quality ingredients , always local, and if it's not in season, you probably can't get it !
Durum wheat makes the fine Altamura bread ,and the famous orecchiette ( 'little ears' ) pasta. Fish and shellfish is found along the coast including lobster, oysters, sardines, mussels and sea urchin.
Vegetarians are well catered for. Many inland towns are renowned for their meat , lamb and kid and sausages like cartwheels and their grilled feasts. Cheeses are plentiful and the ricottas and creamy burrata ( mozzarella style) are particular to this area. Cakes, biscuits and preserves often made in the convents by nuns abound, and many sweets have the Arabic and Greek influences of past settlers.