Purity Above

Tucked into the historic centre of Gallipoli, this house puts you forty metres from Spiaggia della Purità – close enough to hear the Ionian before breakfast. The interiors have real age to them: vaulted stone ceilings, frescoes and mosaics referencing the town's seafaring past, and a sense that the building has absorbed centuries of Mediterranean light. Arranged across three independent apartments, it works well for groups who want to share meals on the covered veranda but retreat to their own space at the end of the evening. Above it all, a rooftop terrace opens up over the old town rooftops with the sea laid out beyond.

Home truths:
* At full occupancy, two guests will sleep on the sofa bed in the second bedroom
* Although the three apartments share a single entrance, each has its own front door and internal independence.
* You'll be using the stairs a lot here. Reaching the panoramic rooftop terrace requires climbing several flights, including a narrow staircase typical of ancient Gallipoli homes – worth bearing in mind if anyone in your group has limited mobility.
* If you're travelling with little ones, your host can provide a cot and high chair. You'll need to request them in advance.