Specialist in small-scale holidays for 20 years - Customer rating 9,1 - Member ABTA and SGR
As I drove onto the estate, everything went silent. I turned down the radio and got out of the car. The wind was blowing through the olive trees and carob trees were rustling in the warm sun. Even the cacti seemed to be rocking to the rhythm of the world. Masseria Ciancio, a former farm with old white walls, had a serene look to it. The silence was beautiful. "Benvenuto!", Signora Gina welcomed me with open arms. We had spoken on the phone that morning and she looked just like I had imagined. A true madra! Elegant, sweet and vibrant regardless of her age. "Mangare mangare", she sang. A satisfied stomach is priority number one for any Italian host, so Gina went to cook me a meal while I snooped around. She would give me the grand tour of her beloved masseria a bit later.
Gina had poured all of her love into restoring the old farm from the 19th century to its old glory. The courtyard has chairs and tables surrounded by a beautiful wall of old stones. I recognised the former warehouses and cow’s stables right away. The walls had been restored to their original state. I touched them and immediately felt the bygone days at my fingertips. The swimming pool is surrounded by the same beautiful walls.
"Busted!" Gina laughed with a plate of steaming pasta in her hands. I feasted my taste buds in the courtyard while Gina told me all about this magical place. It was almost as if I was chatting with an old friend. "We wanted to restore the early 19th-century furniture in addition to the old masseria itself. And comfort, equally important. I spent many days roaming around antique markets with old photos. And if I couldn't find a specific piece of furniture, I added something else myself". It should come as no surprise that Gina is an interior designer. She truly elevated interior restoration to an art form. She got up. "First, the grand tour. Then, it’s time for a walk".
My plate was empty and on my way there, I had noticed the luring landscape ready to be explored for hours on end. La vita è bella. Every single day. Without a doubt.
It's possible at the time of booking due to Covid-19, services and facilities are different than when your holiday begins. As the services and facilities mentioned are subject to change, no rights can be derived from this.
Are you booking a flight holiday? Then a rental car of the lowest category (Small Class) is selected as standard for your trip and you have the option of upgrading the rental car. You can pick up the rental car at the airport and drive to your accommodation yourself.
Are you booking a holiday with own transportation? Then the rental car is not included in your trip and you can (at some destinations) book the rental car if you are interested. When you book your rental car, you can pick it up at your destination and drive to your accommodation yourself. The transport to the pick-up point of the rental car is arranged by you.
Tip: If you are travelling with 4 or more people, it is advisable to book an upgrade or an extra car. You can select the car upgrade in the booking steps. Do you want to book an extra car? Please contact us.