Tucked away among olive groves, this contemporary villa with its roof terrace, saltwater pool and stylish interiors is a little slice of paradise in the Puglia countryside. Indoors flows into outdoors in a seamless way here – we loved the use of natural textures, neutral colours and unfussy furnishings. Wake up with an espresso in the gourmet kitchen before reclining on the comfy bench beneath the pergola. When you start to feel peckish, call upon a private chef to whip up something tasty for your brood. Or if you’re in the mood to flex your culinary skills, fire up the pizza oven and cook your own creations. Dine together on the covered terrace, then spend the afternoon playing bocce in the sunshine. For those keen to explore, you’re a six-minute drive from the centre of Ostuni, a stunning hillside city with a whitewashed old town, home to higgledy-piggledy cobbled streets and artisanal shops. Lamaforca Beach is a ten-minute car ride from your doorstep – the crystal clear waters are perfect for snorkelling. Home truths: *We recommend hiring a car for getting to the beach and exploring Puglia – free parking is available on the premises *The last 100 metres of the road leading towards the villa is a dirt track *Your host can provide a cot and a high chair upon request *Pool maintenance takes place every three to four days *Bari International Airport is 102 kilometres from the villa