Masseria Storica Pilapalucci

The owners were warm and welcoming, and their knowledge of agriculture and history came through in the tips they gave us about places to visit and things to do. This family-run masseria feels intimate and personal, and everyone, from guests to staff and animals, is treated with respect. We loved the quiet countryside and the chance to get immersed in the local culture. Dinner is well worth trying: the chef, who's known for his cooking, made an amazing four-course meal with local, organic ingredients. We also took his cooking class, which was both fun and informative. A unique stay.

The property has been renovated beautifully, and our dinner was excellent, with superb local food and hosts. We stayed overnight in our campers in the large parking area outside the gates.

The food was one of the highlights of our five days at Masseria Storica Pilapalucci. Chef Francesco's Slow Food approach showed in every dish, from Pesto al Mandorle, pasta, lamb chops and prosciutto with burrata to an almond dessert. There was a great wine selection, including a lovely house red. We were traveling in Puglia with our kids and stayed in two rooms, one for us and one for them. Our Forno room had a nice mix of the old structure and modern comfort, and both rooms were clean and cozy. The children enjoyed exploring the beautiful grounds, and the whole place felt warm and welcoming. The hosts regularly checked that we had what we needed. On our fasting days, they even made vegan food for us without being asked. Their suggestions for nearby places took us to some memorable spots we might otherwise have missed. The old farm sits among olive and almond groves and has plenty of history and charm. The land has been in the same family for 500 years, which added something special to our stay. It's remote and you need a car. GPS helped, and there are signs along the road; from the highway, take the road toward Toritto and follow them. Masseria Storica Pilapalucci made for a memorable family holiday. We wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone visiting Puglia.

The owners were such friendly company and knew a remarkable amount about the area. The Masseria was also impressively clean. We slept and ate there for two nights, and after Emilia's delicious first dinner, we booked a second one to see what the Chef would make. Both meals were perfect. The pool isn't very big, but it worked fine for us, and breakfast was typically Italian.