Don Totu Dimora Storica: Luxury B&B in the heart of Italy

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 6 years ago

Don Totu Dimora Storica: Luxury B&B in the heart of Italy

By Julietta Jameson
The pool is set in beautifully landscaped gardens.

The pool is set in beautifully landscaped gardens.

In San Cassiano, southern Italy, Don Totu Dimora Storica has been welcoming discerning guests with its all-inclusive and intimate experience since it was opened in a historic palazzo by two worldly university professors in 2014. Now the six-bedroom B&B in Puglia, has added, not just a beautiful pool house and roof-top outdoor cinema, but also day-long Pugliese cookery courses, complimentary yoga and fitness retreats.

And for those just after a little taste of la dolce vita, the property has added two new Vespa Piaggio 125 scooters (and an abundance of suggested routes and maps) for guests to use on a complimentary basis to explore the ravishing Salento countryside and coastline.

Designed like a classical loggia, the pool house, where gelato and evening appertivo is served, is no ordinary one. It incorporates original stonework arches and a focal point is a reproduction of Matisse's 18-metre long 1952 Cut-Out La Piscine, the original of which is at MOMA. It's offset by original 1950s furniture by ground-breaking Italian designers Gio Ponti and Bonacina 1889 and four art deco chandeliers, which originally graced The Biltmore Hotel in Miami.

The property has two new Vespa Piaggio 125 scooters for guests to use.

The property has two new Vespa Piaggio 125 scooters for guests to use.

The outdoor cinema is on the rooftop of the pool house and offers district views to accompany a weekly programme of classic Italian and art house films.

The cooking classes are led by Raffaele Fanciullo, chef of La Bersagliera Restaurant in neighbouring Surano, who takes participants to local suppliers and farmers, before preparation, then hosting the meal and indulging guests with a recital – he's quite the opera singer.

A two-night package for two people including the one-day cookery course costs from €600. The Fitness Week, including six nights at Don Totu costs from €1020 a room twin share.

Rooms start from €170 a night twin share including breakfast. Exclusive use of the property is available. See www.dontotu.it

Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter

Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now.

Most viewed on Traveller

Loading