I love the region of Puglia and we take frequent trips down to the “heel” of Italy’s boot. The rugged beaches, white washed villages, natural wonders, and amazing food are a few of the reasons I can’t get enough of the area. But I’m also drawn to the unique homes in Puglia – from the cone-topped trulli houses to the Masseria in the countryside. I really cannot recommend enough that you book yourself into a masseria as soon as possible.

“Masseria” is an Italian word with no direct English equivalent, but they are essentially estates in rural Italy, most often found in Puglia, with some also found in the Sicilian countryside. A masseria is a complex of buildings and a farm surrounded by a wall. These types of fortified farms were mainly built by wealthy landowners in Puglia in the starting around the 8th century.