Casa Guaceto - Five Bedroom Villa, Sleeps 10

A welcoming, uplifting and practical villa with one foot in the countryside and one on the coast.

Offering views out across silvery-green olive groves to the cobalt Adriatic Sea, Casa Guaceto is a lovingly restored traditional Puglian lamia farmhouse that has been transformed with artistic flair into a diverting and relaxing retreat. With plenty of well-conceived terraces and gardens and a panoramic pool to enjoy, you may not wish to venture too far, but don't miss the idyllic beaches of the nearby nature reserve from which the house takes its name.

Inside: accommodation at Casa Guaceto is laid out on one floor with two of the five bedrooms accessed independently from the terraces. The interiors are a fascinating mix of old and new, original features and contemporary furnishings.

The main entrance leads from a shady terrace into a bright open-plan space with lofty barrel-vaulted ceilings in creamy local stone, original flagged floors and wide sliding glass doors that bring in the sea views and provide easy access to the outdoor areas. To one side is a sitting area, furnished with contemporary sofas, an Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, a central coffee table and a large TV. To the other is a large, bespoke dining table.

Behind the dining table, a pair of antique doors - a fun conceit that hints at other playful design elements to come - slide open magically to reveal the well-equipped contemporary kitchen, which features dark wooden cabinetry and a sociable bar with stools overlooking the main work station (cooks need not feel alone). A large picture window looks out across the gardens and the olive groves, and a door accesses the shady terrace by the main entrance.

Back in the sitting area, a door opens into the main sleeping wing, where, accessed from a corridor, are the first three bedrooms. All are doubles with barrel-vaulted ceilings, outdoor access, and brightly coloured en-suite bathrooms. One also has sea views.

The remaining two bedrooms at Casa Guaceto are accessed independently from the main sea-facing terrace. Both are doubles with sea views and en-suite shower rooms. One also comes with a self-standing, in-room tub.

Outside: gardens and terraces wrap around Casa Guaceto, offering plenty of space for al fresco life to be lived to the full. Including the olive groves, the grounds extend for some 5 acres, and the same artistic élan of the interiors is present externally, thanks to a scattering of Buddhas and a number of sculptures by Cracking Art, an Italian art collective specialising in the creation of colourful animals using recycled plastic.

Outside the main entrance is a large shaded terrace furnished with a pair of armchairs and an impressive dining table carved out of a single olive tree.

Paths lead around the house, passing an array of Mediterranean plants, flowers and trees, to the sea-facing terrace, which extends in various forms along the entire length of the façade. Here, accessed from the open-concept living area and four of the five bedrooms are a selection of shady and sun-soaked spots in which to while away the hours and gaze at the calming sea views. An area of emerald lawn borders the tempting U-shaped infinity pool and continues below it, running down to where the olive groves being. To one side of the pool, meanwhile, is a convivial, shaded built-in al fresco dining area.

Arguably the most scenic, and certainly the most panoramic, of the al fresco areas at Casa Guaceto, is the roof terrace. Accessed via a flight of steps from the main terrace, and furnished with easy chairs, shaded day beds, a hammock and a dining table, this is a fabulous spot at all times of day, from breakfast and morning coffee to sunset aperitifs and dinners under the stars.

Casa Guaceto features a fantastic infinity pool, offering swimmers stunning views while in the pool. There are two infinity edges, both of which have quite a large drop so precautions should be taken here. Please refer to our general safety page if you would like more information about infinity pools.

Please note that the depth of the pool is between 1.4m and 2m.

A railway line runs some 700m from the property. Depending on the direction of the wind, you may occasionally hear a train passing, in certain areas of the grounds.

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.
Casa Guaceto sits just a few kilometres inland from Torre Guaceto, a nature lover’s paradise and marine reserve which is home to idyllic sandy beaches, dunes, woods, coral reefs, fields of posidonia, wetlands, walking trails and a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Other beaches close by include the Blue Flag sands of Specchiolla and Torre Santa Sabina.

Less than 20km to the southeast is Brindisi, a historic port town that was of great importance to the Romans. Heading inland, meanwhile, are the towns of Carovigno and San Vito dei Normanni. The former has ancient roots, dating back at least to Greek times, and offers numerous churches, an impressive 15th-century castle, and a labyrinthine old town. The latter, as the name suggests has Norman heritage. Both are authentic, historic Salentine centres with a good selection of restaurants, shops and other amenities.

Casa Guaceto's location on the "border" of the Valle d'Itria and Salento means that guests can easily experience the best of both worlds. Head north to the former and there's enchanting Ostuni, Locorotondo, Cisternino, Martina Franca, Alberobello, Monopoli, and Polignano. Head south, meanwhile, and you can soon be strolling around the bewitching baroque streets of Lecce, amongst others.

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.