Trulli Donatella Italy

Trulli Donatella is superbly positioned in the heart of the Valle d’Itria – a landscape in southern Italy’s Puglia region characterised by wooded slopes, sun-kissed vineyards and endless rows of olive groves punctuated by the coned roofs of trulli houses which are unique to the area.
Bordered by the Adriatic Sea to the east and Ionian Sea to the southeast, Puglia is known for its splendid coastline framed by limestone cliffs and azure sea, as well as charming towns, excellent cuisine and rural landscape boasting hectares of vineyards from where some of Italy’s most prized wine comes from.
Combining world-class design with the warmth and originality of the area, Trulli Donatella is a typical Puglian masseria composed of sun-bleached cubist houses with a couple of grey trulli structures. Spread across a single floor and formed by several buildings, it’s been tastefully decorated and furnished with great care. Soaring and elegant, the three bedrooms have traditional stone underfoot, earthy colour palette and rugged walls that keep the interiors refreshingly cool, no matter how hard the sun is shining outside.
Step outside to the finely manicured lawn fenced by dry-stone walls to take in the harmonious scent of lavender, sage and rosemary bushes before retreating to the pool. Framed by a polished terrace with sun loungers and with steps for easy access, it’s the perfect hotspot for a sundowner. The shaded pergola will provide a much-needed escape from the blazing sun when hosting al-fresco lunches, while hidden corners make for the cosiest reading nooks. When not napping in the shade of olive trees, you can admire the farm buildings and pitched roofs that decorate the Valle d’Itria landscape, as well as the estate itself – wildly pretty during the day when the harsh Puglian sun hits the mellow tufu stone.
The closest village, Martina Franca is only a 5-minute drive away, and it has a well-conserved old town surrounded by stone walls and prominent Baroque gates leading to characterful piazzas and pretty winding streets full of trattorias, delis and authentic cafés. When you don’t feel like cooking, the closest restaurant serving traditional dishes alongside typical Mediterranean delicacies is also only a 5-minute walk away.
Drive for around 50 minutes to reach the city of Taranto, a coastal city and the capital of the Province of Taranto with an important commercial port and Italian naval base. The ‘city of two seas’ is full of notable historic landmarks such as the 15th-century Aragonese Castle alongside cobbled squares full of pretty shops, bars and restaurants.
If Puglia’s bucolic backwaters get slightly too tranquil at times, the region’s capital city Bari can be reached in just one hour by car. Full of trendy hotels, bars and sandy lidos with shallow waters, it offers the best of Italy’s culture in one place. 
Nestled in Puglia’s idyllic backcountry between the Ionian and Adriatic coast, Trulli Donatella benefits from a comfortable location in the middle of the Valle d’Itria, making it easy to reach the most desirable cultural destinations in the region.
Close by, the local village Martina Franca and its Baroque town centre is a convenient base for soaking up Italian culture – think endless scoops of gelato while walking around cobbled piazzas and rummaging through boutiques and souvenir shops. In summer, Festival della Valle d’Itria takes place in the outdoor courtyard of the 17th century Palazzo Ducale, with opera performances people can watch from the Piazza Roma – the largest square in the old town with a green space in the centre.
Apart from having a rich coastline, scrubby farmland and many romantic towns, the Puglia region is also tied with Sicily as the second biggest wine region in Italy. Its sun-flooded slopes with fertile soil and diverse geography are advantageous for grape growers, producing famous wines such as Primitivo.
In just 50 minutes by car, you can reach the city of Taranto – stroll around its promenade gardens overlooking the harbour and parks such as Giardini Ten.Giorgio Tagliente and Giardini Virgilio. Other notable landmarks worth visiting include the archeological Parco Archeologico di Collepasso and 8th and 19th-century palaces such as Palazzo Magnini and Palazzo delle Poste among many others.
Only 20 minutes by car, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Alberobello is a must-see village formed by hundreds of conical-shaped trulli housing wineries, restaurants and shops.
Ostuni, also called ‘the white city’ is an ancient citadel built atop a hill with a famous cathedral that combines Gothic, Romanesque and Byzantine elements. The most impressive landmark is the 15th-century cathedral – visit the city on a Saturday to stock up on fresh ingredients from the farmer’s market for making delicious meals.
The Adriatic coastline is known for its limestone cliffs towering high above the sea, as well as cobbled towns and villages where one can forget the sense of time. Notably Polignano a Mare is perched atop a 20-metre limestone cliff with a postcard-friendly beach in the middle, while Monopoli is full of coves and fun spots for diving.
Walking and hiking enthusiasts will love exploring the Parco Naturale Regionale Terra delle Gravine – an extensive regional nature park known for dramatic ravines with forests, wetlands, ponds and wildlife.
If you’re looking for some hustle and bustle, drive for one hour to the region’s capital city Bari to find more bars and beaches to unwind in or pay a visit to the 11th-century Basilica di San Nicola, a key pilgrimage site.
At Excellence Luxury Villas we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the
concierge request form or contact Excellence Luxury Villas Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
– Maid service/extra cleaning- Private chef/cook/catering- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge- Local day-trips or tours- Airport transfers- Babysitting/childcare services
Extras available at this property (payable locally):
– Grocery shopping delivery service- Daily cleaning- Bike hire- Beach club bookings
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!