Villa Masseria La Margherita

This Masseria, a typical farmhouse of the Salento countryside, is located near Otranto, 3 km from the sea. The building has been totally restored and is surrounded by 20.000 sq.mt. of land crisscrossed with dry-stone walls. The exterior of the house has been restored preserving the features typical of the traditional construction and landscape of the area, such as the boulders, the Mediterranean scrub, lavender bushes, the high dry-stone walls, the olive trees. All this, without excluding any of the comforts that you would expect from such an impressive villa: a vast garden with a beautiful swimming pool, a furnished pergola area covered with reed mats and equipped with a table and wooden benches, a stone barbecue made of old rocks, an outdoor furnished kitchen, many fruit trees, a large shower room for the swimming pool guests, and outdoor furniture including sun-beds, which all contribute to the pleasant and relaxing atmosphere of the place.

The Masseria includes a ground floor and a first floor.
Ground floor: features a living-dining room with a fireplace, a beautiful living room with sofas and ornamental accessories, a very well-equipped kitchen with gas rings, oven, dishwasher and cooking utensils, two double bedrooms, each with a fireplace and a private bathroom (one of these bathrooms has a bathtub), another double bedroom with a fireplace and a private bathroom with shower.
The kitchen leads into a small and well-kept garden surrounded by dry stone walls, furnished with garden furniture, a large wooden table and benches, a bbq and stone benches. From this garden there is a staircase to a terrace which gives access to a fourth bedroom with a private bathroom with shower. From the living room, a charming staircase leads up to the first floor, where two further double bedrooms, one of which with a fireplace and an additional single bed, are located. A bathroom with shower and bathtub is shared by both bedrooms, and reached through a very bright corridor. Outside there is a laundry room, built in stone, with washing machine. The whole house is characterized by a décor of very refined taste, that ranges between the minimalist style with a Mediterranean touch to the ethnic style, featuring antiques as well as contemporary and original objects. The flooring throughout is made with the building stone typical of Salento, so-called "Pietra Leccese". The atmosphere is elegant and comfortable.

Near the Masseria there are the ruins of an ancient, pre-Romanic settlement called Roca. Thanks to several excavations, it has been possible to know more about the civilization of the local inhabitants in ancient times, the Messapian people. Roca features also a beautiful grotto overlooking the sea, the "Grotta della poesia" (liter. Grotto of Poetry); the prayers of seamen in ancient Greek and Latin are engraved on its walls; these sailors used to take refuge in the grotto during storms, and give thanks to their gods for protecting them.

Otranto is 20 km away. This beautiful town on the sea is famous for its kasbah-like, charming historic centre, for its Romanic Cathedral with an eleventh-century mosaic floor which is among the largest and most mysterious in the world, and depicts the Tree of Life and the Zodiac. All over the landscape, you can find remains of pre-Christian civilization of great artistic and historic value, and also examples of Paleolithic Dolmen and Menhir, whose origins are still unknown. From the bay you have a stunning view of the high walls of Otranto, where various different craft shops and seafood restaurants can be found.
Only 13 km from the Masseria, are the spectacular beaches of Alimini, with crystal-clear water and sand dunes that can be higher than 12 m. It is possible to have boat tours to the coves along the cost. Guided tours of the area's most important monuments are also available. The countryside around the Masseria is a landscape full of olive-tree groves and natural vegetation, where there are also cycle tracks that allow cycle tourists to enjoy nature at its fullest.

Why we like it

It is the ideal family villa: the kids will have lots of outdoor space to run around and play, while every adult will certainly find their favorite spot to relax. The outside dining areas are lovely for al fresco dining as well. You will have lots of fun with your family and friends making pizza and cooking them in the stone oven. Moreover, the big pool is children safe. It is indeed located in a separate walled courtyard closed by a door.

Distances

Sea: Torre dell'Orso -Roca-, sandy beaches with beaches clubs, at 4-5 km; wonderful sandy beaches of Alimini, at 13 km.
Town centre with shopping facilities: 3.5 km
Restaurants: 2,5 km
Santa Maria di Leuca (de Finibus Terrae): 70 km
Otranto (renowned for its Cathedral and beaches): 20 km
Gallipoli (the last outpost of Magna Grecia): 64 km
Lecce (the Baroque capital): 25 km
Acaya Golf Club (18 holes): 18 km
Brindisi (airport): 74 km
Bari (airport): 195 km