Apartment

Gelso Masseria Giulio

Photo gallery for Gelso Masseria Giulio

View to the apartment
View towards the apartment
Swimming pool
View to the apartment
View of the Masseria from the dining table

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedroomsSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Masseria Don Giulio Francavilla Fontana, Puglia
  • Gate of the Jews
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Crypt of the Mummies
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Castle of Oria
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Taranto (TAR-M.A. Grottag)
    ‪27 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bathroom 1

Bidet · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bidet · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Gelso Masseria Giulio

Spacious two bedroom apartment perfect for either a family holiday or two couples who are looking to share an apartment. The apartment has been converted from the old storage barn adjoining the stable block.
The spacious living area has a dual aspect that provides a bright and airy central space with beautiful views from the kitchen, dining and sitting areas.
The en-suite bedrooms lie to either side of the living area, providing two separate, private areas in which to retreat for some quiet time.
There is air conditioning in both bedrooms (providing either cold or warm air depending on the weather).
The apartment has access to both the main internal courtyard garden and the rear terrace overlooking our grove of approximately 35 olive trees.
Masseria Giulio is listed as a regionally important building dating from the early seventeenth century. It started life as a chapel serving the local farm workers before being used as a convent and then a monastery. During the eighteenth century it was converted into a masseria (walled farmhouse). It remained a working farm producing olives, olive oil, vegetables and fresh milk, cheese and meat from the animals (cows, sheep, goats and pigs) homed in the stable block until the late 1980s when it fell into disrepair. We have completed a full restoration of the property using local artisan builders and craftsmen and have converted the old stables and farm buildings into holiday apartments.
We have five self-contained apartments (1 one bedroom and 4 two bedrooms) which have their own well equipped kitchen, inside dining and living areas and outside patio areas. The apartments have been designed to provide stylish, high quality accommodation with designer furnishings to allow you to relax, unwind and enjoy this fabulous corner of Italy. Links to each of the individual apartments are provided from this page.
The farmhouse garden (approx. 600 square metres) is surrounded by a high dry stone wall and has been fully landscaped with an array of beautiful plants including roses, birds of paradise, cannas, bouganvillia and cacti. We have an orchard containing apricot, lemon, orange, nectarine, pomegranate, plum, cherry, kiwi, mulberry, pear, apple, fig and cedra trees. We also grow a wide variety of our own organic vegetables. Guests are welcome to use our produce during their stay.
Adjoining the masseria and garden we also have a small olive grove featuring around 35 olive trees. These produce two types of olives; one primarily for eating (please note that they need to be prepared and are not suitable for eating fresh from the tree!); the other type is used for making oil. We make approximately 45 litres of organic extra virgin olive oil from our crop harvested in the late autumn.

Property manager

Ian and Lucy

Languages

English, French, Italian, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Property Registration Number BR07400891000013639, IT074008B400048955

We should mention

All guests, including children, must be present at check-in and show their government-issued photo ID card or passport
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed GBP 5000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation

About the area

Francavilla Fontana

Located in Francavilla Fontana, this apartment is in a rural area. Underground Museum and Ribezzi Petrosillo House Museum are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Cantine Soloperto and Vinicola Savese. Travelling with kids? Consider Sanctuary of San Cosimo alla Macchia and Riserve Naturali Litorale Tarantino Orientale. Swimming offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and horse riding nearby.
Map
Masseria Don Giulio Francavilla Fontana, Puglia

What's nearby

  • Sanctuary of S.S. Maria di Cotrino - 11 min drive - 7.5 km
  • Gate of the Jews - 13 min drive - 8.2 km
  • Crypt of the Mummies - 14 min drive - 9.0 km
  • Castle of Oria - 15 min drive - 9.1 km
  • Riserva Natural Torre Guacceto - 33 min drive - 23.4 km

Getting around

  • Latiano Station - 11 min drive
  • Brindisi (BDS-Papola Casale) - 31 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Borgo Imperiali - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Malibù Gelateria, Longe bar e Pizzeria - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪La Taverna di Pascalone - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Era Ora Wine Bar - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Daburghi - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Gelso Masseria Giulio have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Gelso Masseria Giulio pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Gelso Masseria Giulio?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Gelso Masseria Giulio?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Gelso Masseria Giulio located?

Located in a rural location, this family-friendly apartment building is within 6 mi (10 km) of Underground Museum, Ribezzi Petrosillo House Museum, and Sanctuary of S.S. Maria di Cotrino. Oria Cathedral and Gate of the Jews are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 9 out of 10 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 10 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 10 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 10 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 10 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

christelle F., Mettray, Indre-et-Loire, France

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Idéal pour visiter les Pouilles en famille

Nous avons passé une excellente semaine dans la masseria de Ian et Lucy, qui nous ont très chaleureusement accueillis. Bien situé pour visiter les villages de la vallée d'Itria, et doté d'une piscine dans laquelle se délasser ou s'amuser! Nous y reviendrons avec plaisir si l'occasion se présente !
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

perfect setting

Masseria Giulio is a beautiful, peaceful setting from which to explore the towns and villages in the Puglia region and also a place to relax in the gardens and by the pool. Ian and Lucy are great hosts and made our stay memorable. A perfect get away from it all retreat.
Stayed 12 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Michael M., Oldham

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Puglia Paradise

What an amazing place to Holiday!!! Everything about it was perfect....the setting, the hosts, the accommodation, the pool, the location......Ian and Lucy have built a paradise in the middle of a wonderful part of Italy. Ostuni and Alberobello are stunning the beaches east or west are fantastic. We were very lucky to find such an amazing place 😍😍😍😍😍😍
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

adrian m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Our Italian holiday!

When booking the holiday, the process couldn't be smoother. Communication with Ian and Lucy, excellent and were very accommodating when we had to change our plans slightly. We had a fantastic stay in beautiful surroundings, with great accommodation too. The property was to a very high standard, very child friendly and superb facilities including a wonderful pool to while away the days. A good base with plenty to see and do but a car is essential. We would highly recommend and would love to return! Ian and Lucy are a lovely couple along with wonderful children who made us feel very welcome for the entire stay, thank you! From the Morris'
Stayed 11 nights in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

ROBERT F.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Check-in

Bien mais difficile à trouver.

Superbe propriété accueil sympathique. Difficile à atteindre mais on est gentiment nous recuper à Francavilla Fontana.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

GARY F.

Heaven Under the Puglese Sun

Ian and Lucy were the most gracious and helpful hosts you could hope for and their 2 daughters were adorable and charming to chat with. Ian advised us a day before our arrival that the compound had been hit by lightning and there would likely be a lack of electricity for some or all of our stay and offered to refund and cancel our reservation. Based on all the positive reviews, and my gut instinct, I decided to keep our reservation and take our chances. I’m glad we did, while there were some minor inconveniences waiting for the local electrical department (it’s Italy after all) they did not dampen the beauty off the setting and the graciousness of our hosts. We even stayed for a few hours on our departure day to watch the arrival off 150 antique Italian motorinos. We would return in a heartbeat
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Bozena S.

Guaranteed well-spent holidays

Great enclave to relax, great base for exploring Apulia, two seas nearby and extremely friendly owners always ready to help. I recommend!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Heather S.

A great stay in a beautifully restored masseria

The apartment was well euipped and decorated, with comfortable beds, good showers and an excellent hairdryer. The welcome pack was much appreciated as were the freshly cooked croissants. The gardens and pool looked lovely, unfortunately it was too cold to fully appreciate them in December. However the local wines are just as delicious in the cold weather amd there are plenty to sample. It was also good to visit the stunning towns and cities without the crowds of tourists (particularly Alberobello). We look forward to visiting again.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kate N.

Stunning apartments, garden and pool.

Beautiful apartments set amongst the olive groves in the Puglian countryside. The apartments are modern, clean and perfectly equipped with everything you might need. The large walled garden is stunning with a large pool, fruit trees and lots of outside seating areas. It is essential to have a car as there are many beautiful towns to visit within 40 min drive and a choice of 2 coasts with glorious beaches and seafood restaurants. Eating out is very reasonable and the locally sourced food and drink is delicious throughout the area. Cant wait to come back again.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Zara F.

Beauty and luxury in the Olive Groves

Beautifully restored Masseria with luxurious and thoughtfully appointed apartments all set in relaxing gardens with fabulous pool. Arriving at night to a tastefully lit oasis in the olives we were immediately impressed with the surroundings and the friendly helpful welcome of our well informed hosts. We spent a lot of time at the Masseria, in the pool, but equally had some days out to diverse cultural sites and also beautiful beaches. I would thoroughly recommend this place to anyone getting away from it all or families wanting to enjoy the Italian sunshine. We were all sad to leave and have agreed to try to get back there one day soon.

About the host

Hosted by Ian and Lucy

Host profile image
We moved to Puglia early in 2015 having spent many happy holidays in Italy over the years. We have always loved coming to Italy and enjoying the fantastic climate, delicious food and wine and culture. However, when we first visited Puglia in 2010 we knew that this was the region for us. Three years later we bought a ruin in the countryside and spent the next 2 years restoring it to its former glory. We now live here full-time - the kids attend the local school and are learning Italian (and some of the local dialect) - and love it. The locals are incredibly friendly and can rarely do enough to help. We hope that we will be able to give you a real glimpse into the heart of this fantastic region.

Why they chose this property

We fell in love with Masseria Giulio the first time we saw it - even though it had no doors, windows, floors and in some places no roof. It had been left empty for over 25 years and had suffered badly. However, we could see the potential immediately and have enjoyed seeing its restoration using local materials, techniques and artisan craftsmen and builders. It gives us an incredible sense of satisfaction and pride when someone comes round, recounts how their grandmother was born here (she had 12 children so there are a lot of grandchildren still in the area!!!), how they spent many happy times here and then compliments us on the work that we have done.

What makes this property unique

The property is ideally located almost mid-way between the Ionian and Adriatic seas so there are a host of beautiful beaches nearby (including the beach that The Telegraph rated as the best in Italy). This means that we can chose which coast we visit based on the wind direction and whether we want to swim, body board, look for crabs in rock pools or just relax on a sandy beach. Similarly we are central to the main tourist sites with the Itria Valley lying to the north, Taranto and Matera to the west, Lecce and Gallipoli to the south and Brindisi to the east. This means that you can see far more of this region within an hour's drive than if you were staying in one of these areas. The masseria is in a beautifully tranquil location and provides a real escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. All you can see in any direction are olive groves stretching to a horizon dotted with beautiful medieval towns. We are also close to some of Puglia's best wine areas and vineyards and so are spoilt for choice when it comes to our favourite tipple! Our guest information pack includes details of all our favourite places, day trips, activities, restaurants, ice cream shops, vineyards and markets.

Languages:

English, French, Italian, Spanish