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During our bike trip in Italy (you can watch it on YouTube), we stayed in a typical Italian masseria in Puglia and in this post we will tell you all about this experience.
What are Masserie in Puglia
But before, just to give you a taste of what is a masseria, have a look at the video we made for them.
The masserie – plural for masseria – are historical farms from either the 16th or 17th century, typical of the region of Puglia, particularly Salento. We had the opportunity to stay in one of them during our trip around the “heel of the boot”. To our luck, it was a very sophisticated and traditional masseria in Salento, the Tenuta la Baronessa. We spent 4 days enjoying the resort, experiencing the best of their gastronomy as well as the tranquility of Salento’s countryside. Now, we share this experience with you and give you all the tips and hints for those willing to stay in a traditional masseria in Puglia.
*Also read our Puglia Travel Guide, for more unmissable things to do in the region.
The best masseria in Puglia: The Tenuta La Baronessa
The Tenuta la Baronessa is a very historical 4* masseria located in the Salento region, the most southern part of Puglia. It is also where you will find some of the most beautiful beaches as well. Without a doubt, it’s a perfect place that combines tradition, culture, modernity and hospitality.
This masseria is huge and has an incredible swimming pool, a very large garden with many different fruits and trees, a stable and shed for horses, cows and other animals as well as different types of accommodation, such as:
- The Deluxe En-Suites: that’s where we stayed in. They are in the oldest and most historical building on the farm.
- The Hotel Bedrooms: They are in the main building.
- The apartments: It has a kitchen, a living room and bedrooms to accommodate families. Its architecture is rather curious. The family’s patriarch, father of Lara, the current owner and who we met, was an architect immigrant from Lebanon who build and designed the apartments. The design is a re-interpretation of the famous “trulli” of Puglia mixed with an Arabic touch. The results are modern trulli of reddish-earth colour, which contrast wonderfully well with the green of the surrounded nature and the blue of the swimming pool.
Our Room at the Tenuta la Baronessa
As we have just said, we stayed in the Deluxe Room, which is part of the oldest and most historical building of the masseria. It’s a construction dated from the 16th century and still keeps part of the historic structure of the farm.
This is the building where you find the most luxurious and romantic accommodation. They are slightly away from the main house, but just by the swimming pool, offering privacy on the perfect dose. The bedrooms are big and has a rustic décor in accordance with the colonial farm. The frescoes on the ceiling were made by a local artist. He re-painted the ceiling inspired by the former paintings which embellished the old masseria.
Take the opportunity and check their availability here – or favourite this post to do it later!
f you travel as a couple, surely this will be your best shot. On the other hand, for those travelling on a shorter budget, the en-suites of the hotel will be the best offer for you. However, if you are travelling with your family, the apartments will provide you with all the practicability of a house.
The breakfast at the masseria Tenuta La Baronessa
It’s a large buffet served every day in the main house in a restaurant with huge glass windows and surrounded by frescoes. That’s the atmosphere where guests enjoy the delicious food which is freshly prepared every morning, such as the natural yogurt, the fruity jams, cakes and many other local food, let alone the expected different types of breads, salamis, cheeses and so on.
What to say about Tenuta la Baronessa’s breakfast?
As we were in the deluxe building, walking to and from the dining room was great to get us into the mood of the place. We go with calm, relaxed and with no rush. Moreover, it was during the breakfast when we had the opportunity to get to know most of the staff of the Tenuta la Baronessa, whom made us feel like we were at home.
Are you around Italy? You might like to read too:
– Cinque Terre Travel Guide;
– Where to find a free wine fountain in Italy;
– What to do in Lucca in one day;
– Free museums in Italy on every first Sunday of the month.
A masseria near the beaches, far from the chaos
One of the highlights of the Tenuta la Baronessa was the relaxing environment. Before arriving, we had been cycling for almost a month through the coast of Puglia and, although it wasn’t yet the high season, most of the beaches and attractions we passed were pretty busy. To arrive at the Tenuta La Baronessa and get into the rhythm of the locals was definitely a relief, both for the body and the mind.
Even though it is located in the countryside of Puglia, in a village named Tuglie, the masseria offers the availability to be just 7km away from Galipolli, one of the most famous beaches of the region, as well as Torre San Cesario, Porto Selvaggio and may others. This proximity with these famous destinations makes the Tenuta la Baronessa the perfect place to enjoy the most beautiful and lively beaches of the region as well as the tranquility to relax by the pool and stay in contact with nature. As their website describes themselves: “near the beaches, far from the chaos”.
The best way to enjoy your time at the Masseria Tenuta La Baronessa is with a car. If you want to rent one, have a look at these deals with Discover Cars.
The best of Masseria Tenuta La Baronessa
In spite of all the comfort and perks of staying at the Tenuta la Baronessa, what we liked the most were the people behind it. From the team of staff to the owners, everybody is extremely welcoming, helpful and smiley!
It’s a luxury place. Yet, they have never lost, in any moment, the informality and warmth of a family run business. You feel that in all of the details and gestures. We had the opportunity to speak with the two owners, Lara and Stella, daughter and mother respectively. We can affirm without a doubt the Tenuta la Baronessa is a place like no other. It is managed by very intelligent and hard-working people with great and important principles.
The surround of the masseria
There is another interesting aspect of the Tenuta la Baronessa. They have as one of their goals to not restrict their guests within their space. They offer all the facilities and the luxury of a resort, albeit encouraging people to spend their afternoons exploring Puglia.
For instance, even though they serve aperitivo and breakfast, they do not have a restaurant for the main meals. They would rather encourage the guest to try out different restaurants of the region. For them, it is important to go and explore other cities and towns too.
They really know the richness of their flavours, landscapes and culture. For this reason, they encourage you to explore it. Lara, the owner, told us “we want to grow and expand our business as well as the others around us”.
