Arrive to billowing grasses waving in the late afternoon sunlight, creating a magical softening of the minimalist façade of this newly completed private villa. Following the ancient building styles of the nearby Masseria Moroseta, Casa Maiora was built entirely with local stone and using traditional methods. Its modern design, by Studio Andrew Trotter, was complemented by distinctive Waterwise landscaping, giving it an altogether contemporary look and feel, despite keeping to the building style of the original Masseria or farmhouse. Indoor-outdoor flow is easy going and endless views take in the expanse of coastline towards Ostuni.
Interior furnishings in this four-bedroomed casa are clean-lined and simple, but guests who love to shop in nearby villages and markets will love cooking in the well-equipped kitchen with its large window views. In addition, as part of the Moroseta Homes portfolio, guests staying at each of the nine homes can order grocery boxes or seasonal breakfasts, lunches or dinners to be delivered if they’ve been out for the day or don’t feel like cooking. Kids love the expert pizzaiolo (pizza chef) who may be booked to cook real Italian-style pizzas together. Add massage therapists and yoga sessions to this list too – or if you’re feeling energetic, plan time with their personal trainer.
Don’t miss the culinary highlight for any foodie in this area: the legendary dinner experience at the Masseria, curated by bold young Chef Georgia Eugenia Goggi who came to work here one summer and never left. Her creative daily menu is inspired by what is freshly picked in her veggie garden (and take it from us that their vegetarian dishes are out of this world…). Moroseta guests get preference when booking, but we suggest you plan your holiday with us around your dinner date as everyone’s flocking to Puglia for this food experience.
What we love!
- The villa layout works well with friends: two bedrooms in the main building and two are separate (one of those is a twin bedroom, great for kids).
- The fact that local materials were used with traditional construction methods, just like the Masseria and Villa Cardo, a nearby villa and part of Moroseta Homes.
- Design-forward, Waterwise landscaping (done by StudioPAZ in collaboration with Lamia Santolina).
- That you can do a cookery course in Brindisi with Francesco and Julie, who teach traditional Apulian dishes in their home in Oria (Brindisi), with ingredients sourced from local cheesemakers, farmers, and winemakers.
- You can also book their boat, Margherita Moroseta II, moored in the port of Gallipoli – a glamorous way to spend the day sailing this beautiful coastline and coves on the west coast of Puglia.
What you need to know…
- The minimum stay is four nights during low season (November to April), and seven nights in high season (May to October).
- The house is 15 minutes drive to Ostuni and the sea and only five minutes from the city of Carovigno.
- Brindisi Airport is 20 minutes away, and it’s a one-hour drive from Bari Airport.
- Housekeeping is included every second day, with bed linen changes every fourth day.
- Dinners at the Masseria are only on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, from 8pm on communal tables. Booking is absolutely essential.
- Casa Maiora is a great base for cultural day trips to soak up the Baroque architecture and wander between the many glorious piazzas of historic Lecce, the ‘Florence of the South’ (45 mins by car) – or even Matera, the hilltop town famous for its cave dwellings and one of the more romantic locations in No Time To Die (just under 2 hours’ drive).