Two under the Italian sun: Top Puglia getaways

Puglia lends itself to modernism — its arid plains and stark white buildings providing a cinematic backdrop. Here, design takes centre stage, with Bose speakers built in to the plinth in the courtyard and art books aplenty in the sitting room. In the vaulted bedroom, antique wall hangings provide the only decoration and a glass window to the basement below is an interesting touch. As the hotel is inland, the granite-lined pool is the place to lounge in the day, or alternatively you could seek the shade of the lemon groves.

An early evening game of croquet with a Negroni is a way to bond with other guests, as is the fire pit where you can enjoy a postprandial glass of wine. In fact, conviviality is encouraged, withthe dinner tables pushed together for communal dining. Nearby Lecce is well worth a visit, for its grand, frescoed churches and dizzying choice of gelateria. Prices from €250.

As entrances go, it is hard to find one more bountiful than the rhododendron-lined driveway
to this imposing white masseria. Rooms are old school — all wrought-iron bed stands and jaunty yellow and red floral patterned fabrics. Outside the bedrooms, the focus is on the heavenly swimming pool. It is absolutely huge, with a charming rock pool design on one side.

Where buffets might be off-putting in many places, here they excel. Plentiful Pugliese cheeses and marinated fennel and mushroom salads sit alongside pillow soft focaccia. Celebrating 20 years as the first masseria (fortified farmhouse) hotel, it is still one of the most charming examples, and a morning jog around its olive groves is as fine a start to the day as one might hope for. Rooms from €330.