Laura and Alex love this new addition to the 2010 programme – Strazzati is grand and full of character in a tranquil spot in ‘hidden’ Puglia… and the food is some of the best the region has to offer!

Sister hotel to the Masseria Bosco, this newly renovated masseria is set in its own grounds of well-manicured lawns, which are surrounded by acres and acres of olive trees. This part of Puglia still feels very undiscovered and is like stepping back in time. The masseria is only about 8km from some beautiful, sandy beaches on the Ionian coast.

A 200m stroll through olive trees, along a track, leads you to the Masseria Bosco (or you can use the mountain bikes provided). Masseria Strazzati guests will have use of the facilities there – the gorgeous pool, with its high dry stone walls; the beauty centre where you may book treatments and massages; and, for lunch or dinner, the fantastic restaurant, which serves Pugliese cuisine at its very best – rustic and abundant, often quite unusual and always with the focus very much on ‘slow food’.

Masseria Strazzati dates back to the 17th century and it exudes character, as the owners have restored it meticulously, ensuring that all the original features are retained. On the ground floor, an impressive hall and lounge take up the length of the masseria. Original limestone floors run throughout and it is furnished with antiques and leather sofas – there is also a television area and a huge fireplace. Next-door, the bar/breakfast room is delightful. Guests make also take their breakfast to the privacy of their own room/terrace.

Most of the bedrooms are on the ground floor, with direct external access to a colonnaded terrace. Many of the ground floor rooms have their own furnished area of the terrace. Generally, the rooms are spacious and have lovely original floor tiles; high, star-vaulted ceilings and exposed stone. They are all elegantly furnished with iron beds and antiques and are of a very high quality - the shower rooms even have hi-tech aromatherapy showers! Some also have a bath. The deluxe rooms are larger than standard rooms and also have sofa-beds. Upstairs, the pièce de résistance of the masseria is the very special ‘Terre di Terre Suite’, which comprises two large, characterful rooms and three balconies, with views over olive groves. We also particularly like the ‘Suite Del Massaro’, which is on the ground floor – it is very elegantly furnished and perfect for special occasions and honeymoons.

All in all, a beautiful hotel in a splendid, tranquil location – perfect for relaxation and ‘getting away from it all’.

■ 22 en-suite rooms

■ Deluxe rooms sleep up to 3 (some sleep up to 4)

■ ‘Terre di Terre Suite’ sleeps up to 4

■ Air-conditioning/heating

■ Bar/breakfast room

■ Strazzati guests have use of Bosco’s facilities, 200m away: Restaurant, swimming pool, “pajara” poolside bar, children’s playground, beauty farm – massage and treatments payable locally

Special Offers:

Early bookings: bookings made before 30/06/10 will receive 10% discount (not including stays between 07/08-21/08)
Others: 7 nights or more 10% discount (not 07/08-21/08) – this offer can be combined with the early booking offer to give 20% discount
5 nights or more 10% discount (not 07/08-21/08)

Transfers / Car Hire:

Recommended Airports:

Brindisi approx. 1 hour(s)

Bari approx. 1.5 hour(s)

Naples approx. 4 hour(s)