A superb choice for large gatherings of family and friends, Villa Elia is a lovingly restored and refurbished masseria. Its generously proportioned, character-filled interiors feature a fascinating blend of local, ethnic and contemporary pieces., while its extensive walled grounds are home to a fabulous pool, numerous spots for al fresco lounging and dining, a tennis court, and acres of olive groves and fruit orchards.
Inside: accommodation at Villa Elia includes the main masseria, which is on three floors, and a garden guesthouse, which is all on one level. This latter is available on request for an extra weekly fee.
Both the masseria and the guesthouse are furnished with eclectic, stylish and exotic good taste. Furniture from Brown's Hotel London rubs shoulders with wooden sculptures from the Gambia, Dogon masks, Jordanian carpets from the Queen Rania Foundation, and much more besides, making it a colourful United Nations of artefacts.
The masseria
An impressive monumental arch over the main entrance of the masseria leads directly into a huge, vaulted living area, which extends right through the house to the gardens on the other side.
Similarly impressive is the huge country kitchen, with its open fireplace and seamless access to the main al fresco dining area. A second living room, a cinema room, and a hammam complete the communal areas on the ground floor, but there are also two bedrooms:
• a double with garden access, a mezzanine sleeping area above, and an en-suite shower room and a sitting area with a large tub below
• a double with garden access and an adjacent shower room
The original stone staircase, worn considerably by hundreds and thousands of footsteps over the centuries, leads first to a single room with shower room across the staircase, and then up to the first floor proper, which is home to four of the bedrooms:
• a "dormitory-style" quad room, with en-suite shower room and a large, panoramic terrace
• the main double bedroom with en-suite bathroom with separate tub and shower
• a double with en-suite shower room
• a double with en-suite bathroom with tub and shower attachment.
Accommodation on the first floor is completed by central living area, and a kitchenette, that's handy for preparing tea and coffee or breakfast.
Heading further up the stairs (which begin to narrow), one comes to a small double room with en-suite shower room and, further up still, to the large roof terrace with panoramic 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside.
The garden guesthouse (available on request for an additional weekly fee)
The guesthouse, situated near the property’s main gate, some 60m from the masseria, comprises a voluminous, open-plan communal space with a well-equipped kitchen and dining table to one side, a comfortably furnished sitting area to the other, and French doors opening out into the surrounding gardens. Accessed from the communal area is spacious double bedroom with an equally generous en-suite bathroom featuring a two-person, walk-in shower.
Outside: the large gardens are completely surrounded by ancient stone walls and features a dining area outside the kitchen, several shady areas for relaxing, lush lawns, an orchard with fig, orange and apples trees, and a wide variety of plants, including a superb selection of aromatic herbs for the kitchen.
The pool, situated just beyond the original well, comes with a fully equipped pool house with showers, furniture of a particularly high standard, and a shady pergola providing welcome respite when the sun is at its zenith.
Just outside the walled gardens, meanwhile, is a artificial grass tennis court that can be adapted to become a 5-a-side football pitch - perfect for any sports lovers in your group.
Finally, for the masseria at least, we cannot forget the second al fresco dining area, which is served by a splendid wood-fired pizza oven. This is the perfect spot for informal dinners produced in front of your very eyes by a local pizzaiolo.
The garden guesthouse has its own walled garden with a plunge pool, loungers and an al fresco dining table.
If you're looking to accommodate more than the 17-guest maximum capacity of Villa Elia, or simply need more bedrooms, there are a couple of options to consider. First, there is a garden guesthouse in the grounds of Villa Elia(see above) which can accommodate 2 people. For an even larger group, why not take a look at Casina Elia, a 3-bedroom villa owned by the same family just across the road from Villa Elia (bringing maximum total group size up to 25). If you do go for this option, i.e. taking both houses, please note that there is an extra charge of €1,575 to be paid at the time of booking to cover the extra cleaning and house management costs.
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.
Safely enclosed on the grounds some way from the villa are a pair of friendly donkeys, Dolce and Gabbana. The owner's cats and dogs also live within the villa grounds.
You may also wish to know that the pool has a single depth of 1.4m.
Villa Elia is just 3 km from the charming town of Alezio and 7km from Gallipoli and a series of gorgeous sandy beaches. Alezio has some superb baroque buildings, high quality shops and cafes, a market, restaurants and a relaxed, authentic feel. Gallipoli is a true jewel of a town, set on a fortified peninsular and featuring some fabulous architecture as well as lively nightlife and some great restaurants. The delightful baroque town of Lecce is just 40 minutes drive, most certainly worth a visit.
Tennis courts and horse riding are within a 10 minutes drive from the villa!
We will also be pleased to organise several bespoke activities, such as wine tasting tours or day trips to Matera.
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.
