Style + Peace at Masseria Alchimia in Fasano, Puglia, Italy
If you’ve read the previous post about Puglia, you’ll know I’m a big fan of the region’s fortified farmhouses, many of which are now converted into great places to stay. Masseria, as they are called, have become go-to places to stay and eat for discerning tourists travelling to Puglia, and the speciality for the type of hospitality you can expect at each varies widely, ensuring that there is a masseria for everyone’s holidaying style.
This trip, I was lucky enough to be invited to stay in Masseria Alchimia, one of the region’s leading venues for design-led self catering accommodation. Here’s my review and recommendations for what to do while in the area.
Masseria Alchimia (Contrada Fascianello, 50, 72015 Fasano BR +39 335 609 4647) is Swiss-owned, and the slick, design led approach to décor is beautifully curated by Caroline, the owner. An unusual shaped masseria, some of the apartments at Alchimia appear almost to be cut into the soft local Tufo stone, giving the effect of the famed sassi houses of Matera.
Rather than take on a B&B style format that most of the masseria take on, Alchimia is compartmentalised in to separate apartments, making you feel like you have your own personal chunk of farmhouse for the duration of your stay. Each apartment has the kind of design led personality rare in generally traditional Puglia. Colours throughout are influenced by a calming palette and the shades of the rich Pugliese lands the masseria sits within. Clearly drawing upon classic Swiss aesthetic appreciation, you’re likely to want to nab at least one of Caroline’s interior design selections when you leave the place.
Set within the beautiful environs of Fasano, the views from the masseria are of acres and acres of dusty green olive trees planted in the richest red soil. When we stayed, the excess olive tree branches were being pruned and burnt to make way for the next season’s growth. The smell of smoking olive branches carried on the evening air, whilst the days were clear and fresh, filled with blue skies, and the kind of bright winter sun that leaves you feeling sun kissed without the burn. Proving that even in the depths of winter (I stayed at Masseria Alchimia in late January) Puglia is the holiday destination that never fails to please the intrepid traveler.
If you're wondering what you might do after you check in, take a peek at my other posts from Puglia.