The Antica Masseria del Fano is what one guest described as a surreal location - for the best possible reasons, of course. Like so many of the great Italian places to stay it ticks all the right boxes when it comes to combining history, culture, nature, great hospitality and authentic cuisine.
The numbers are certainly impressive. Firstly it dates back to the 16th century (a sighting tower built in 1577 by the Gonzaga of Mantova still exists, for example). Secondly, its located within an agricultural estate made up of 40 hectares of arable land. And, last but not least, the estate includes 1500 olive trees which produces top quality olive oil.
This a working Masseria after all, and nature, not just history, is important here. Whilst rooms are spacious and well furnished to a very comfortable degree, it will also be the scent of the plants, sounds of the cicadas chirping away in the dark sky at night and warm earthy colours (dark reds of the earth, light blues of the sky and deep greens of the olives) that will linger in the memory. As will the genuine friendliness of that staff that work here, from the girls that prepare the superb breakfast to Charles and Flaminia.
In short, a lovely part of the world just minutes from the beautiful Puglia sea.