MASSERIA SERRA DELL'ISOLA
Family masseria steeped in homespun charm
STEP THROUGH THE PILLARED GATEWAY, under the olive and almond trees and into the arms of this whitewashed farmhouse. Rita’s family have lived at Masseria Serra dell'Isola for almost 300 years and there’s a tangible sense that little has changed.
Fires still burn in the terracotta stoves of the vaulted, former olive press – now the sitting room. Sepia-tinted photographs line the walls, antiques and family heirlooms fill the rooms, copper pans glint in the kitchen. Every room, you feel, has stories to tell.
Named after the women in Rita’s family, bedrooms have an unpretentious, country warmth. With white walls, large windows – some with balconies – and polished tile floors, they’re furnished with pretty wrought-iron bedsteads, embroidered bedspreads and charming paintings. A collection of jugs, a chaise longue scattered with cushions, and lacy cloths on bedside tables are welcoming details.
Hit the Spot
Near Mola di Bari, 30km from Bari.
Bedtime
Bedrooms to plump for include Donna Ritella, with its inviting brass four-poster, Donna Angelina and Ziteline.
Be Savvy
Rita organises courses here in cookery, sculpture and Italian.
Be Smitten
Lashings of country-cousin charm and warmth.
Puglian home cooking
You’ll relish classic Puglian dishes here – lamb with seasonal vegetables, chickpeas and calamari, rounded off by biancomangiare (Puglian almond crème caramel). Be sure to try Rita’s home-made rosoli – fruit liquors made to an ancient family recipe. Sip Elisir d’Amore and who knows what might happen...
Borrow a bicycle and explore the countryside, read a book in the shade of a garden tree, savour genuine home cooking. Masseria Serra dell'Isola's simple homeliness will wrap you in its warmth.
Masseria Serra dell'Isola was reviewed for Room for Romance by Helen Pickles
Fires still burn in the terracotta stoves of the vaulted, former olive press – now the sitting room. Sepia-tinted photographs line the walls, antiques and family heirlooms fill the rooms, copper pans glint in the kitchen. Every room, you feel, has stories to tell.
Named after the women in Rita’s family, bedrooms have an unpretentious, country warmth. With white walls, large windows – some with balconies – and polished tile floors, they’re furnished with pretty wrought-iron bedsteads, embroidered bedspreads and charming paintings. A collection of jugs, a chaise longue scattered with cushions, and lacy cloths on bedside tables are welcoming details.
Hit the Spot
Near Mola di Bari, 30km from Bari.
Bedtime
Bedrooms to plump for include Donna Ritella, with its inviting brass four-poster, Donna Angelina and Ziteline.
Be Savvy
Rita organises courses here in cookery, sculpture and Italian.
Be Smitten
Lashings of country-cousin charm and warmth.
Puglian home cooking
You’ll relish classic Puglian dishes here – lamb with seasonal vegetables, chickpeas and calamari, rounded off by biancomangiare (Puglian almond crème caramel). Be sure to try Rita’s home-made rosoli – fruit liquors made to an ancient family recipe. Sip Elisir d’Amore and who knows what might happen...
Borrow a bicycle and explore the countryside, read a book in the shade of a garden tree, savour genuine home cooking. Masseria Serra dell'Isola's simple homeliness will wrap you in its warmth.
Masseria Serra dell'Isola was reviewed for Room for Romance by Helen Pickles
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Dining in
Owner Rita Guastamacchia believes in good, wholesome home cooking, and enjoys preparing dinner for guests. Expect Puglian dishes such as grano fagioli e cozze, maccheroni alla Tranese and zuppa di pesce.
Dining out
Excellent restaurants nearby include Re Mare and Van Westerhout in Mola di Bari and De Gustibus in Bari.
Where?
Masseria Serra dell’Isola
What’s cooking?
Indulge in deliciously home made grano fagioli e cozze, maccheroni alla Tranese and zuppa di pesce.
Dress the part
Relax in your holiday favourites
Top table?
Dining is normally around a table with fellow guests
See & Do
There’s lots to do here: don’t miss a trip to the ancient ravine town of Matera, whose troglodyte cave dwellings, or sassi, are a fascinating reminder of life hundreds of years ago. More than 150 churches are carved into the soft tufa stone here. Get a boat out to the grottoes of Polignano and be sure to see some of the region’s romanesque cathedrals.
Shop
The towns of Grottaglie and Rutigliano are great for pottery and ceramics, while Bari has a wealth of stores.
After dark
Mola di Bari has plenty of bars and some nightclubs.
Dates
May
Celebrate with the locals at the Festa di San Nicola.
July/August
Check out the Valle d'Itri baroque music festival at Martina Franca. If you’re not into music, the town is great for hanging out anyway.
Owner Rita Guastamacchia believes in good, wholesome home cooking, and enjoys preparing dinner for guests. Expect Puglian dishes such as grano fagioli e cozze, maccheroni alla Tranese and zuppa di pesce.
Dining out
Excellent restaurants nearby include Re Mare and Van Westerhout in Mola di Bari and De Gustibus in Bari.
Where?
Masseria Serra dell’Isola
What’s cooking?
Indulge in deliciously home made grano fagioli e cozze, maccheroni alla Tranese and zuppa di pesce.
Dress the part
Relax in your holiday favourites
Top table?
Dining is normally around a table with fellow guests
See & Do
There’s lots to do here: don’t miss a trip to the ancient ravine town of Matera, whose troglodyte cave dwellings, or sassi, are a fascinating reminder of life hundreds of years ago. More than 150 churches are carved into the soft tufa stone here. Get a boat out to the grottoes of Polignano and be sure to see some of the region’s romanesque cathedrals.
Shop
The towns of Grottaglie and Rutigliano are great for pottery and ceramics, while Bari has a wealth of stores.
After dark
Mola di Bari has plenty of bars and some nightclubs.
Dates
May
Celebrate with the locals at the Festa di San Nicola.
July/August
Check out the Valle d'Itri baroque music festival at Martina Franca. If you’re not into music, the town is great for hanging out anyway.
GETTING THERE
Location
Strada Provinciale 165, 70042 Mola di Bari
Parking
There is free guest parking.
Trains
Mola di Bari station – 4km
Taxis
Around EUR 10 from the station
Airport
Bari – 27km
Rooms and suites
Six rooms
Special features
Welcoming rooms have plenty of homely touches and family memorabilia. One has a four-poster bed and three have wood-burning stoves.
Also…
There’s wi-fi here and plenty of good home comforts.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 130 – 180
Open/closed
Open all year round
Check-in
3pm
Check-out
12 noon
Minimum night stay?
Two nights
Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 10.30am
Room service
No
Children
Welcome
Pets
Not allowed.
Air conditioning
No – but thick white walls keep you cool in summer, warm in winter.
Languages
English, Italian
Wedding license?
Yes – for up to 50 guests and based on exclusive hire of the property.
Your contact
Rita Guastamacchia – owner
Location
Strada Provinciale 165, 70042 Mola di Bari
Parking
There is free guest parking.
Trains
Mola di Bari station – 4km
Taxis
Around EUR 10 from the station
Airport
Bari – 27km
Rooms and suites
Six rooms
Special features
Welcoming rooms have plenty of homely touches and family memorabilia. One has a four-poster bed and three have wood-burning stoves.
Also…
There’s wi-fi here and plenty of good home comforts.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 130 – 180
Open/closed
Open all year round
Check-in
3pm
Check-out
12 noon
Minimum night stay?
Two nights
Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 10.30am
Room service
No
Children
Welcome
Pets
Not allowed.
Air conditioning
No – but thick white walls keep you cool in summer, warm in winter.
Languages
English, Italian
Wedding license?
Yes – for up to 50 guests and based on exclusive hire of the property.
Your contact
Rita Guastamacchia – owner
