Description Palazzo of Dreams: Lecce

Impeccable contemporary design meets old palazzo grandeur at this luxurious home set equidistance between the Ionian and Adriatic warm seas (twenty-minute drive) and close to the historic city of Lecce (ten minutes drive).

A former aristocratic villa left to ruin –⁠ the home has been expertly reimagined by its owner (handily, an award-winning architect) to create a contemporary palace made for modern living.

Beneath its lofty, vaulted ceilings, fine art, photography, and furniture from some of the 20th Century greats add layers of interest and style –⁠ while marble-clad finishes and statement lighting bring all the luxury. And there's room for you all to spill out here. Each bedroom has an en-suite bathroom, and three boast playful mezzanine levels with additional sleeping space that kids will love.

Sunny mornings call for expressos on the vast terraces outside before a few lazy laps in the pool. Then up the ante with a game of table tennis or a walk around the four hectares of ancient olive and citrus groves.

When thoughts turn to food, gather your ensemble beneath the shady pergola on the outdoor dining terrace for a feast of focaccia, burrata, and other Apulian delicacies – the chef-worthy gallery kitchen makes cooking a joy. Or head into the graceful city of Lecce (a ten-minute drive) to eat out instead – its baroque architecture, upmarket boutiques, and authentic restaurants is an afternoon well spent.

Home truths:
*You'll have your own private entrance and plenty of parking on the gravel driveway at the front of the home
*There are two single beds on one of the mezzanine floors giving a total capacity of twelve guests
*Two cleaning sessions per week are provided
*There is a washing machine and a dryer in the laundry room
*There are various dedicated desk spaces for remote working here