Meaning “our light”, La Rona is a charming and meticulously updated masseria nestled in the heart of Puglia’s picturesque Valle d’Itria. Perched on a hilltop, the villa offers breathtaking panoramic views and unforgettable sunsets. There is even a special observation area just for enjoying these magical moments with sundowners. Adorable touches await around every corner of the property and once you begin exploring, you will never wish to stop.
Inside: accommodation at La Rona is laid out between a main house on two floors and an independent guest suite in the gardens.
The main house is a character-filled, beautifully refurbished mix of trullo and lamia (another traditional Puglian construction), and combines charm, modern amenities, and thoughtful design.
Under one of the trullo cones is a spacious entrance that greets guests with a warm smile and a glimpse of what lies ahead. White-washed tuff-stone walls, vaulted ceilings and polished stone floors provide the perfect canvas for an eclectic collection of artefacts – a reclaimed kitchen table console, a pair of colourful ceramic Moors heads, an antique wooden ladder, and a traditional Puglian splatter-painted bowl - a hint of both the property’s heritage and the owners’ sense of élan.
To the right is the kitchen and the magnificent, bright and airy open-plan living and dining room. Exuding style, taste and warmth, this welcoming communal space is furnished with two sofas gathered around an impressive stone fireplace, and a reclaimed wood dining table with an iron frame and classic bistro-style chairs. In a cozy corner, a pair of mid-century leather chairs create the perfect spot for bonding moments over coffee. The white walls are graced by a fascinating, expertly exhibited collection of artefacts acquired from around the world, and two sets of double doors open out onto the surrounding terraces and gardens.
From the living area, stairs lead up to the first of four bedrooms. A double with en-suite shower room and a dressing area with a desk, it offers views of the trulli cones and the grounds, and opens out onto onto one of two terraces - this one offers complete privacy, making it perfect for uninterrupted sunbathing.
The fabulous L-shaped kitchen is another object lesson in the use of space and the subtle fusion of different design motifs. One section is dedicated to a long and stylish wooden breakfast bar, complete with glass-fronted drinks and wine coolers, as well as a coffee station. The other section mixes stone countertops, white-washed cabinetry and top-quality appliances. Custom-made, whimsical tiles in russet and cream patterns cover the floor and the walls above the work tops, and double doors open out onto a covered dining terrace.
Heading back through the entrance hall is a snug TV room with a comfy sofa. Off this space are the three remaining bedrooms - all bright and airy doubles with en-suite shower rooms and doors opening out onto the terraces.
An oversized white wooden swing set on a pristine lawn creates a charming division between the main house and the independent guest suite, a secluded retreat with its own panoramic terrace overlooking the valley below. Perfect for those seeking privacy (or for a family with a small child), it hosts a living area with a custom-made double sofa bed, a fireplace, a kitchenette, and a double bedroom with en-suite shower room.
Outside: the panache, brio and eye for design seen in La Rona’s interiors is equalled if not surpassed outside. The property’s multi-dimensional gardens, designed by renowned Italian landscape designer Gianni Birardi, are a thing of rare beauty. Developing over several acres on different levels, they are a fragrant, polychromatic and endlessly diverse expression of Puglia’s horticultural and agricultural traditions.
Around 1,000m² of soft, free-form emerald lawns create a lush landscape that's bordered by stone walls and stone-flagged walkways and terraces. Secluded amongst these walled gardens, La Rona offers complete privacy while remaining open and inviting. Fragrant plants, vibrant flowers, and graceful trees create a serene sanctuary, perfect for peaceful strolls and quiet moments of relaxation. The unmatched atmosphere of tranquillity is rare indeed.
Everywhere you look, there’s something to delight the eye and awaken the senses. Thoughtful details abound, from sculptural pieces and vibrant ceramics adorning exterior walls, to reclaimed rustic treasures like ladders and wicker-wrapped glass containers. As dusk falls, subtle lighting automatically illuminates the grounds and terraces, creating a magical and unforgettably romantic atmosphere.
Most al fresco life at La Rona plays out around the main house, and all the rooms on the ground floor spill outside onto wraparound, stone-flagged terraces.
Double doors from the kitchen open out onto a heavenly, well-shaded al fresco dining area, where lazy lunches and long, convivial dinners become de rigueur. A couple of steps away is a tranquil sitting area with extra-large, built-in sofas.
Nearby is a professional table tennis table, and just across the lawn is the electric-blue saltwater pool, served by a spacious, sail-shaded lounge area with a large double daybed and sun loungers, allowing families to stay close while enjoying different activities.
At the front of the house, a charming space unfolds with original stone paving, a characterful water well, and fragrant herb and citrus gardens. A shaded outdoor kitchen, complete with a built-in wood-burning pizza oven, sets the scene for stunning views of the valley and unforgettable al fresco dining - whether a leisurely meal or a lively make-your-own pizza night with freshly picked basil from the garden.
External steps lead up to an extensive roof terrace, which provides yet another enchanting dimension to al fresco living at La Rona. Offering sensational vistas over the gardens and the surrounding countryside, this is the perfect spot for a morning yoga session, catching up on one’s tan, and, thanks to a well-furnished sitting area, enjoying a well-earned aperitivo while the sun begins its fiery descent. The upper-floor bedroom opens directly onto this area.
Due to the property's design, which includes terraces, low walls, and varying ground levels, La Rona is not well-suited for toddlers in the 1.5 to 6-year range. Therefore, children within this age range are sadly not allowed.
There is a family of seven adorable Tibetan goats living in a spacious enclosure at the edge of the property. Playful and full of personality, they offer guests a delightful experience, whether watching their antics or simply enjoying their gentle presence.
La Rona is set in the heart of the Valle d'Itria, a 10-minute drive to gorgeous Cisternino, and around half an hour from the beaches and lidos of the Adriatic coast.
The surrounding landscape is what one could define as "archetypal" Puglia: rolling hills shelving down to the coastal plane, grove upon grove of centuries-old olive trees, trulli cones everywhere you look, and a succession of charming and historic whitewashed towns bleached further by the southern Italian sun.
The village of Casalini, which is less than 2km from the villa, offers a selection of shops, eateries and other amenities, while a greater selection can be found in Cisternino, a vibrant market town, whose old town centre is an absolute pleasure to explore, spend time in, and make your own.
Other towns not to miss in the vicinity include Ostuni, the whitest of all the whitewashed towns nearby, Locorotondo (literally the "round place"), Alberobello, whose trulli-dense historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Martina Franca, the unofficial cultural capital of the Valle d'Itria.
The Adriatic coast below La Rona has plenty to inspire, not least the numerous bays, beaches and chic lidos that can be found between Savelletri and Marina di Ostuni.
A little further north are the historic seafront towns of Monopoli and Polignano a Mare, which can both be visited in a single day-trip.
Arrival details will be confirmed by The Thinking Traveller after your villa is confirmed.
The Thinking Traveller can organise transfers and car hire and an agent will be in touch with you once your villa is confirmed.
Zoosafari36 min kjøring - 26.5 km