Masseria Murgia Albanese — Hotel in Noci

Taking various back roads, I finally managed to find this lovely place in the middle of nowhere and even stayed a day longer than anticipated. ||||This was not only due to the great countryside surrounding the Masseria, or the delicious traditional food served, but most of all the outstanding hospitality of the owner. Especially since travelling alone I appreciated the company of the family for breakfast and dinner and enjoyed getting a deeper insight into the Italian way of life, or the one of the South respectively ;-)||||The very traditional former house of the nobles has been well preserved as such and one feels taken back in time – easily a few centuries. Farmers share the bottom of the house and take care of the fields and animals, which not only guarantees the freshest ingredients for the food served, but adds to the very original atmosphere created. ||||From here various sights, like Martina France, Alberobello and even Monopoli at the Adrian seaside can easily be visited; especially since the ways to get there are precious by themselves already. ||||Now the only question remaining is when I will be back, not doubting that I will be...

What a lovely special place. ||||With Elisabebetta's excellent directions we found the masseria easily - something important to cyclists who have just cycled 75km!!. ||||Drinks on the terrace at sundown with the most amazing view, then dinner cooked just for us by Claudio. This was a proper Pugliese meal of great standard - fried sage was one of the many outstanding antipasti but the orecchiette in tomato sauce followed by rolled up meat wih aubergines and potatoes were absolutely scrumptious. Breakfast was a relaxed affair with all sorts of choices including delicious cake made by Elisabetta's Mum. ||||We went off cycling for the day to Martina Franca returning in time for drinks on that wonderful terrace and dinner again with Claudio and Elisabetta. They are delightful interesting and interested hosts. The masseria is an extraordinary place to stay steeped in the history of Elisabetta's family, it is all very comfortable. It is also a working farm with the farmers living in the bottom storey. We had a charming visit - a place not...

Location is rural, with drives through lovely farmland to several nearby interesting old towns and the seaside.||The main house looks austere from the driveway. Inside it’s quite comfortable and very handsome. It’s filled with antiques and interesting collections acquired by the resident-owners over many, many years. ||We reserved for dinner. It was very tasty, generous and reasonable, and very home-cooked with ultra-locally grown veg (from their large garden). The table was set with fresh flowers, beautiful linens and fine silverware. We shared the dining table with several other guests and family members. It was extremely congenial.||Our accommodation was a separate guesthouse which was comfortable and spacious. The grounds are quite nice. There are trulli to explore and a fine old chapel which is slated for restoration in the near future.||Our host, Elizabetta, could not have been more hospitable or knowledgeable. She is a wonderful asset to the...