4 bedrooms house, 250 m²

Martina Franca, Taranto (province)

Itria Valley

Key features

MAGNIFICIENT country residence of 4 bedrooms
GENEROUS accommodation on large plot 1,4 ha.
BEAUTIFUL landscaped gardens
Large terrace for entertainment
POOL & Japanese garden & fish ponds
Wealth of features
10 min to famous Martina Franca
Suitable also for luxurious lettings
35 min to beaches
70 min to Bari International airport


Property description

INTRODUCTION
Well appointed spacious house to be found in a lovely secluded semi-rural location, within easy reach of picturesque hilltop towns such as Martina Franca (5 mins), Locorotondo (10 mins) and Alberobello (15 min). Both the house and the grounds are extensive and extremely spacious, with lots of lovely original quirks.
The house has evolved over the years from the original trulli that have been restored. It measures 320 sqm and consists of 10 rooms, 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, one of which in the ample living room. There is a large and completely furnished kitchen with a fireplace and a bread oven (the house also has another fireplace in one of the rooms). The Kitchen sits in the middle of two 'wings'. One wing contains the trulli and four bedrooms, the other two large lounges and a giant veranda that was closed off to create more space with views over the surrounding land and pool.
The house is provided with an autonomous heating system and radiators, the electrical system was recently upgraded and it also has a solar panel for hot water. The house is supplied with rural mains water.Description:
This MAGNIFICIENT 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom property with swimming pool with its elegant drive-in and remotely controlled gates on a very large private plot offers SUPERB accommodation on one level surrounded by terraces for STYLISH entertainment. The BEAUTIFUL landscaped gardens and orchard includes a Japanese style garden with several fish ponds with gold fish and running water. There is small exquisite temple building in white overlooking the garden and pond for contemplation. Added is a Madonna statue surrounded by a classic ornamental fence. The garden is secluded and not overlooked, To the West of the property is a large open field and to the South is a large mature pine wooded area.

The current layout of the house of 10 main rooms is with SPACIOUS reception rooms and four bedrooms but could easily be converted to add more bedrooms if so required. Part of the interconnecting building is a restored historical trullo with two beautiful roof cones. The building has a large roof terrace with pleasant views of the surrounding fields and the garden with terraces.

PROPERY DETAILS

Four bedrooms with a further two optional bedrooms;

Four bathrooms;

'Salotto' with grand piano;

Utility room with washing-machine;

In the modern building section, there are:

A new rustic-style kitchen with all appliances and pizza oven;

An extensive, roofed veranda dining area which could be fully enclosed, measuring 10 x 7 m;

A separate spacious reception room with fireplace;

The Library: a double height, 15 x 9 m vaulted, marble-floored room with gallery and fireplace;

Wine cellar to house 400 bottles;

Shower-room and toilet;

Guest toilet;

Large workshop and timber store which could be converted to a garage.

THE GARDENS
The main focus is tghe new built pool with large sundeck. The ornamental gardens are a particular feature of the property, including a cascading series of ponds pump-driven from a 150 cubic metre storage pond; a rose garden; an ornamental Roman temple; a stone rotonda with a statue of a Madonna; fruit trees including figs, apples, plums, apricots, cherries, walnuts, hazel nuts, almonds, grapes, damsons, mulberries, peaches and olives. There has been extensive planting of mature trees and shrubs. Paved patio and roadway areas allow parking for at least 20 cars.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Internal and external services include:

Telephone and Internet;

Sky television service with a rooftop dish;

Rural mains water supply;

Two gas-fired central heating boilers, each with 1,000 litre storage tank;

3,000 litre rooftop solar heating installation guaranteeing ample hot water at all times;

Automatic main gates with battery reserve;

Extensive external lighting;

Full security coverage with connection to local agency and police;

Massive underground rainwater-fed storage tank for garden purposes.

While the house is currently in use as a family residence, other possible uses include as a luxurious bed-and-breakfast, or as a function venue.

WHAT IS NEXT IN THE AREA
The wealthy baroque town of Martina Franca is at a few miles distance. The town, renowned also for its grapes for the martini wines, offers wonderful architecture, excellent shops and fine dining.

Alberobello is close at 12 km and is a world class holiday destination and the UNESCO World heritage site.

The property is located approximately 70 minutes from Bari Airport (91 km). It is possible to take the train from the airports to Martina Franca and the distance from the house to the train station is 4 km.

The property is also close to the town of Locorotondo for all shopping needs, cafés and restaurants as well as actually being into to the famous d'Itria valley and world famous trullo houses in beautiful surroundings. The drive to the beaches on the Adriatic coast is 35 minutes with the nearby Capitolo, famous for its fine sandy beaches, restaurants and beach clubs as well as Savelletri, a charming fishing village, nowadays with an excellent range of restaurants, cafés and a beautiful marina beach front.
The Ionian see is a litte bit further with the main attractions on the coastline from Porto Ceasaro to Gallipoli

WHAT TO SEE:
The property has the advantage of being centrally located between areas of interest such as the mile long caves of CATELLANA; the archaeological excavations of the Roman EGNATIA by the Adriatic coast line; the beautiful white town of OSTUNI, located on top of a hill with fantastic sea views; the medieval town of ORIA; the petite and charming CISTERNINO, the Zoo Safari Park of FASANO (lots of fun for children and adults alike); the beautiful POLIGNANO A MARE, well known also for its tasty ice-cream; GROTTAGLIE famous for its ceramics and old stone carvings; the famous baroque city of LECCE which is called the Florence of the south.

SALENTO:In Salento the coastline is fashinating and you can drive by car a few hours along the Adriatic cost line and passing many fine sea villages, like OTRANTO and CASTRO Marina. Continue to Santa MARIA DI LEUCA and you are at the meeting of the two seas- the Adriatic and the Ionian.

Inland Salento there are a number of historical charming villages with ancient history. The advantage to stay in a village is to be able to socialize with Italian neighbours, to walk to the piazza café and buy a newspaper and a cup of coffee in the morning and having all amenities within reach day and night time. The town houses often come with a garden and roof terrace. When you approach a simple door just of the street you will often be surprized to find that inside there is a little palace, a 50 sq m garden and with great views over the country side from the roof terrace.
In Sternatina and Martignano to the south of Lecce antique Greek is still spoken by the villagers.
MAGLIE is like a mini Lecce and with many fine buildings. Muro Leccese is smaller and also represent a small town/village with a fine architectural history. Cutrofiano popular for French holiday home ownership. Ruffano has many fine old buildings for sale, waiting to find new owners and to be restored. Surano has a small town center with very nice antigue buildings for sale. Spongano again is a small village surrounded by olive grooves. Here you can see secluded great villas and country retreats owned by foreigners and families from north Italy who come to relax in rural Salento.
Every were inland in Salento you see the vineyards and olive trees. Salento is a big producer of wine and olive oil, you can buy 5 liters Extra Virgin oil for about EUR 35.

The east coast of Salento is rougher than the south west and for people who enjoy the sea and fishing. Castro is beautiful with its location on top of the cliff by the sea and many villas with direct access to the sea. Santa Cesarea Terme is a spa resort, very popular with a beautiful setting and bay.
The cost from Santa Maria di Leuca to GALLIPOLI has many fine sandy beaches. The villages are perhaps not the prettiest but room for the beach life, pizzerias, restaurants and disco music summer time.
SANTA CATARINA well known also for its many fine villas in the area, some antique.
The sea outside of PORTO CESARE further up the coast is probably the most beautiful and fantastic sunsets.

So when you contine along the Ionian side for miles and miles of blue flag beaches. Gallipoli is fashinating city built on a penninsula and a marvellous old town. Further north east you find Santa Catarina which is a sophisticated place and many celebrities have hoiliday homes here during the hectic August summer time. A bit further comes the super Porto Cesare with many seaside restaurants and a lovely bay with fishing boats.

GETTING THERE:
By air there is a choise of two international airports, served by Ryanair, Easyjet , BA and others, both easily reached on the coastal motorway in 60- 70 minutes; Bari in the north and Brindisi in the south. Both cities have ferry trafic to Greece, Albania and Croatia so it's possible to make weekend trips across the Adriatic Sea.

WHAT MORE TO SEE IN APULIA:
BARI being the commercial capital city with 250 000 inhabitants offers the best shopping, a grand opera house, called the Petruzzelli teatro; a large medical city centre with many museums. Just north of Bari lies a little town called GIOVINAZZO a true gem, right by the sea. Further north is MOLFETTA Outlet, a famous shopping galleria and 20 minutes further is TRANI, a sophisticated town with a beautiful half moon bay & marina. Continue north to CASTEL DEL MONTE, which is the mystical castle built by Frederic II in the 14th Century.
Within a 2,5 hour drive to the north lies GARGANO, the penninsula called the spur of the Italian boot. Gargano forms a large nature and wild life Reserve and offers hiking and scenic trips around the peninsula. From here there are daily boat trips to the small Tremiti islands.

LIFESTYLE AND CULTURE:
The Italian lifestyle means many things but especially socializing; the home is used for sleeping and breakfasts, the Italians go out for enjoyments and dining. Based in Canale di Pirro there are so much you can experience, like early morning markets in the small towns. music festivals, religious carnivals, the beach life, historical tours in the main towns, cooking classes, learning a bit Italian at language schools, dining at the many country and sea side restaurants, night clubbing at the beach clubs of Capitolo.

SPORTS:
As Apulia is a peninsula and surrounded by the two seas- the Adriatic in the north and the Ionic in the south - water sports dominate in the area; sailing, yachting, water-skiing, kitesurfing swimming & beach life. Golf is available with five good courses and San Domenico is world class ( PGA 2014 Challenge Final). Tennis (there is one tennis club just 5 minutes away from the villa in Selva di Fasano) horseback riding, hiking and bicycle tours are other options for the active minded. Squash clubs are located in Bari, Bitonto and other places.

The WEATHER:
Being south, Apulia has warmer weather than Northern Italy and even in the "winter months" of December to February the average number of sun hours per day is 4 and in June-August 10-11 sun hours per day! This means you can enjoy a long season of nice weather in Apulia. When you plan to buy a holiday home in Apulia think of that you will spend a lot more time outside than in the inside compared to at home. Therefore you will need plenty of terrace space, pergolas, etc. at your Apulian property and also cooking facilities outside is very practical.

The water temperature in beginning of May is in average 19 degrees, up to 27 degrees in August/September and 19 degrees in November. This means you & family will spend time at the beach. Where ever you are in Apulia you can reach the beaches within 30 minutes!

WHY BUY IN APULIA?
Apulia has until recently been called the hidden treasure of Italy, unknown to most tourists who come & stay in Rome, Florence, Venice and at the Italian Riviera. However, all this is rapidly changing because of massive investments in the infrastructure, such as the improved motorways, enlarged airports and the introduction of low cost airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet. The property prices are low in Apulia and low means value for money at bargain prices for the international buyers. We see more and more foreign visitors coming to Apulia and in our opinion investments will show good growth in value because of the increased demand. Also from north Italians as Apulia has become the most popular holiday destination for Italians. But rest assure, no tourist villages will ever be built because in Apulia the cost line is protected and people are against modern developments which do not fit into this historical landscape. Therefore, with increased demand for a fixed and limited number of properties prices are bound to rise.

WHY BUY FROM CASAPUGLIA?
Firstly we are an English speaking agency based in the middle of Apulia with local experience and can guide you to get the right property at the right price for you.
Secondly we have personally inspected every property that we recommend to buy and do not list hundreds of properties but a smaller selection of properties which we belive offer good value to the buyer. In Apulia many properties are offered at unrealistic prices but we say no to sellers who want us to list properties for sale at silly prices.
We have many years of international property experience, including 10 years in London, and see investments in Apulia through an international perspective. We have been active in several EU property markets and specialize in property management to ensure well maintained property for growth in property value.
We have a comprehensive range of local services:
- acting for the buyer - and not for the seller - by searching the market for the right property, negotiate the price and give advise through the buying process leading to completion of the purchase
- property management; we look after your property when you are away and ensure it is in perfect condition when you arrive. We will prepare a maintenance plan for annual maintenance and repairs of you property, which is essential to maintain and increase the property's value
- project management; we can act as you local representative and manage any renovation or refurbishment. We will also advise on any value added measures which could further enhance the capital growth of your property.
- lettings- we can assist you in the letting of you property and check in your tenants, deposit taking, checking out & inventory control.
Refer also to our webpage
We look forward to hearing from you soon!