Puglia Sunshine

That infinity pool, stretching out beneath a wide Puglian sky with an olive grove on the horizon, is reason enough to book this villa in Carovigno. Each of the four independent suites opens directly onto the garden or courtyard, so the line between indoors and out barely exists – long evenings are easily spent at the covered outdoor kitchen, where the built-in barbecue and wood-fired oven earn their keep. The protected beaches and marine reserve of Torre Guaceto, a WWF oasis, are just 3 kilometres away when you finally decide to leave.

Home truths:
* All four bedroom suites are accessed from the garden or courtyard rather than via an internal corridor, so you'll be stepping outside each time you move between them and the main living area at night.
* The swimming pool is only available for use between 1st May and 31st October.
* You'll need a car to make the most of your stay here. Serranova village is 1 km away for basics, but Carovigno is a fifteen-minute drive for wider shops and restaurants, and the nearest city, Brindisi, is around 25 km away.
* There's free parking for up to eight cars on the driveway.
* The wi-fi here is not fibre optic and may be slower than you're used to in the city. If you're planning to work remotely or stream heavily, factor that in when packing.
* The outdoor areas are covered by video surveillance cameras.