Villa Cervarolo

Secluded trulli farmhouse set among olive groves, with a contemporary makeover and cool pool (sleeps 4-7, min stay 1 week, Sat - Sat)

Under Puglia’s hot blue skies, winding olive-lined lanes lead to this stunningly restored farmhouse, set among olive and almond trees and sun-bleached dry-stone walls. It's built around 4 ancient, hobbit-like trulli: stubby, conical towers peculiar to this part of Italy.

But rather than decorate in traditional style, the owners have gone for striking contemporary chic. The interior is minimalist creams and whites, with flashes of pinky-orange, tobacco-brown and burnt-petrol blue in the 3 bedrooms. In the arched sitting room, there's a large open fireplace and oblong windows framing rural views. French doors link inside and out, rendering the house very light and airy, and floors are paved in pale pinky-cream local stone. A new wing blends perfectly with the 300-year-old part, without trying to imitate it. Outside, the pool, overlooked by a barbecue and gorgeous outdoor sitting room, has a beach-style edge so you can wallow in the shallows, listening to birdsong and the occasional tractor.

Highs

• Unusual building with four towered 'trulli', its wonderful rusticity married with contemporary flair
• Beautifully set and secluded, in a far-flung region that’s just beginning to hit tourist radars
• Gorgeous pool and outdoor sitting room with barbecue and rough-stone dining table
• Close to the gleaming white town of Ostuni, and charming, undiscovered Cisternino
• Nearest sandy beaches on the Adriatic coast (20 mins drive) are great for kids

Lows

• Not cheap by local standards, but surely the most stylish villa in the area
• Only 1 bedroom has its own bathroom; the other 2 share a second bathroom
• Pool not heated and can be quite cold