Between Salento and Bari, in the Apulia region, lies the Karstic depression known as Itria Valley – Valle d’Itria in Italian. Here, among Trulli and centuries-old sculpture-like olive trees, there is a wealth of small traditional villages called ‘masserie‘: clusters of rural buildings developed around farms. Many of them today welcome tourist with a varied offer of excellent restaurants, spread hotels, and deluxe resorts, where to stay, eat and experience the authentic Apulia.
One of the most luxurious resorts, located by the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea and surrounded by olive trees and beautiful scenery, is Borgo Egnazia, which has Madonna as a regular guest and was chosen by Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake to celebrate their wedding.
Even if this borgo was built from scratch, the careful design and the variety of the offer – including a starred restaurant, ‘Due Camini’ – make its atmosphere magical and unique. Another jewel of the valley is Torre Coccaro, a masseria built in the seventeenth century by the Knights of Malta to protect themselves from Saracen invasions; this location maintains its centuries-old charm and offers top quality accommodation and dining experiences. There is also Masseria Aprile, dated 1700, that, with excellent service, welcomes the lucky guests of its nine apartments, which can be admired from the promenade of Locorotondo that overlooks the valley. While ‘Sotto le Cummerse’ is the refined spread hotel that enhances the traditional architecture of the Apulian borgo where it is set.