About Tenuta 1886
A cool, uncluttered house designed for a grown-up getaway, Tenuta 1886 is close enough to Italy’s enchanting Adriatic coast and trulli villages for dreamy day trips, but far enough from the crowds to maintain a sense of serenity.
Despite parts of Tenuta 1886 dating back to the early 19th century, the design is whip-smart and innovative. The rust-red exterior is all turrets and loggias, but inside, sculptural furniture sourced from Swedish, Spanish and Italian studios (Sancal’s Totem stools, a Gervasoni sofa, a mid-century sputnik chandelier) punctuate the stylish, contemporary space. It’s a brilliant backdrop for celebrating milestones or starting new traditions, with three double rooms in the main house and three separate suites in the garden. A 15m infinity pool with an extra-large deck is surrounded by centuries-old olive trees, fragrant citruses and lavender bushes (the garden peaks in late spring and early autumn, but it’s lovely year-round), over which you might spot a hoopoe, bee-eater or kestrel. Catch sunset from the back west-facing terrace on the first floor as you nibble on taralli (handily provided in the welcome hamper alongside wine, freshly made pasta sauce and olive oil), and fire up the pizza oven for an authentic Italian feast. Tenuta 1886 is also an accessible property, with a private lift connecting the floors, wide doorways, step-free access in key areas and adapted bathrooms (grab bars in showers are available upon request).
The location
Tenuta 1866 is located a 15-minute drive from the lovely beach town of Polignano a Mare, where you can visit the Abbey of San Vito Martire and the art gallery La Fondazione Pino Pascali, then flop on a beach for a swim in the Adriatic. Polignano a Mare can get busy in summer, so head out of the centre for quieter pebble beaches like Cala Incina, or a walk along the limestone cliffs. The truly Apulian trulli of Alberobello are a 20-minute drive from the villa (here, Ristorante La Cantina has a wheelchair-friendly dining spaces, too), and Castellana Grotte’s karst caves are well worth a visit.