Paradise in white and blue
They say that** Puglia (Apulia)** is the most authentic –tourist– Italy that remains. Located in the 'boot', it has everything: villages on the edge of vertiginous cliffs, whitewashed houses, dream beaches and a kitchen of those of not knowing where to start –or when to finish–.
This time, we stay in the Itria Valley , also known as Valley of the Trulli . The trulli are traditional, humble constructions that used to serve as a refuge for farmers.
They used to be built with local stone using the technique of dry wall , without using cement, to avoid paying taxes. Also, that way they could be demolished immediately if necessary. Still, the internal temperature is excellent thanks to the depth of the walls and a very small number of openings.
The 'trulli' populate the entire region of Valle d'Itria
Precisely an old trullo is the origin of La Selva, a house recovered in Ostuni, the only one of the villages in the valley that overlooks the sea . "La Selva was born from the renovation of a classic house from the 70s which, in turn, is the result of the extension of a typical Apulian trullo", explains Massimo Brambilla, the architect in charge of the project. He and his family have founded Water of Puglia , a company that remodels old Italian properties under the values of **authenticity, elegance, singularity and simplicity. **
"Acqua di Puglia searches, finds and carefully chooses properties immersed in the smaller historic centers or lost on the coast of Salento , with the aim of giving them a new life", they explain from the small company, which always works with local craftsmen and materials . Some are used for buying and selling; others, like La Selva, are rented for a dream vacation.
HOME
La Selva, with its white walls that contrast beautifully with the blue of the water and the green of the trees, is offered complete for a maximum of six people . Has three bedrooms and three bathrooms -two en suite-, kitchen, living room with fireplace, wood oven and a very large outdoor area with barbecue, fireplace and pool . Despite being on a large estate, surrounded by centuries-old olive trees, it is a stone's throw from Ostuni. The town is known for its beautiful historic center, full of beautiful medieval buildings and picturesque squares such as that of Libertè.
Eternal nights in La Selva
Also, each of the bedrooms has a small private garden, equipped with outside shower to cool off under the moonlight. "The goal was to create a kind of hortus conclusus (the typical medieval garden of monasteries and convents), where the guest can enjoy total privacy and relaxation", says Brambilla.
Inside, the decoration is minimalist , with soft fabric cushions, carefully restored antique furniture, lace-edged mirrors woven by local seamstresses, iron lanterns forged by blacksmiths from Salento...
To the standard services of La Selva, such as wine and an assortment of welcome local specialties and personalized visit recommendations for each guest, the property offers to add a few more: private chef, cooking classes, special dinners, brunch service, home massages ... In other words: everything you need to experience a dream vacation on Italy's most 'secret' coast.