Studding Italy’s heel are fabulously exotic ‘masserie’ – historic rural estates that mould Arabic, Greek and Spanish influences into a distinctive vernacular architecture. Dating from the 16th to the 18th centuries, these hacienda-like farms, traditionally painted dazzling white, feature baronial manor houses graced with vaulted stone halls and porticoes, private chapels, farm buildings and sometimes cone-roofed ‘trulli’, opening onto airy courtyards. Some grew up around ancient coastal watchtowers with seraphic sea views; others were fortified and girdled with vineyards, croplands, almond, olive and lemon groves.
Today, many have been converted into agriturismi, hotels or resorts where the march of time is marked ‘adagio’ and man and nature still dialogue in harmony. Styles range from pared-back rustic to uber-chic design hotels complete with landscaped gardens, pools, spas and gourmet restaurants, yet the sustainable ethos and convivial spirit of their origins still lingers. Here’s our pick of the best masseria hotels in Puglia.