Palazzo Bacile di Castiglione

Stay in your own private palazzo – its 16th-century walls dominating Spongano’s Piazza Bacile. The charming barone and his English wife offer apartments full of seductive comforts for couples or families.

Learn the art of Italian cooking at one of the cooking courses – from vegetarian specialities to Limoncello with lemons fresh from the grove. While away hours exploring the baroque splendours of Lecce, Gallipoli and Otranto – and the coast. Bikes can be borrowed by the intrepid adventurer! Head to Castro for its wine festival, cathedral and fine squares in between beach-hopping.

The pool area is an oasis of calm and deserves some quality time (so do you). Sit among orange trees and wisteria or wander secluded walkways in the garden. At twilight, owls chime like bells. Rooms are spacious and old-fashioned – olive wood tables, big lamps, framed engravings, books and CDs – a calming space to relax after a ‘busy’ day by the pool.