Lovely house. The rock pool is absolutely amazing. Would go back in a heartbeat "
Had a lovely week, the place is great! Sabina and Ketty were really helpful, lots of suggestions for visits and eating places. Really enjoyed exploring the area - again, lots of hints and tips provided."
Lots of helpful suggestions from Sabina and Ketty, so many interesting places to visit in this region, especially Alberobello with the trulli and the cathedral at Otranto. A special thank you to Sabina for being such a welcoming host."
At a glance
- Sleeps 4
- 2 bedrooms
- 1 bathroom
- Free WiFi
- Air conditioning
- Swimming pool
Property highlights
- Stunning nature reserve location
- Comfortable country villa
- Unique natural rock pool
- Walking distance to beach
- Nardò 15-minute drive
This beautiful nature reserve location is a true take on the road less travelled – and the restrictions that came with the protected land prompted some lateral thinking from architects Sabina and her husband Luigi. However, they rose to the challenge of transforming the abandoned 19th-century ruins they found there into a delightful small house full of personality and style. They then made it unforgettable by incorporating a natural rock pool in the garden as the swimming pool.
The crystal-clear water is connected to the sea 800 metres away and is sometimes salty depending on the direction of the wind. It’s also a constant 19 degrees. But best of all: a cooling dip has never felt more romantic. Walking over the rocks to the water’s edge offers the same sense of excited discovery you might have felt as a child exploring rock pools by the sea – and yet our Simpson Secret is a thoroughly grown-up place to stay.
Thick walls of cream-coloured stone and pale wooden-beamed ceilings are offset by soothing shades of green and blue – a feature wall here, a cushion there – all echoes of the surrounding landscape. Stargazers will love the master bedroom, full of nautical touches, which features a double skylight above the bed, opened by an intriguing winch and pulley system. And amongst the natural robustness of the building itself, there are lighter touches: polished ceramic lampstands, sepia-tinted photographs, a classical sculpture tucked into an alcove and valuable artwork behind the beds by Dirk Verdoorn, an official ‘Painter of the Fleet’.
Outside, you’ll find seating by the pool, a table and chairs under the olive trees and a barbecue area. Instead of cultivated flowerbeds, cactuses spring up from the rich red soil. It’s Puglia as nature intended, with stone pathways to help you navigate it.
Just off a minor road, the house is an easy four-minute drive from the lively fishing village of Sant' Isidoro, which has everything you need for stocking up or eating out, as well as a beach that buzzes in high season. The nearest town is Nardò, a 15-minute drive away, with its impressive cathedral and town square, castle and pristine coastline, parts of which fall into the domain of the Portaselvaggio National Park. Also overlooking the sparkling Ionian, the village of Porto Cesareo, a 20-minute drive away, has a popular fish market, as well as shops and a further choice of restaurants.
Good to know: we regret that due to the steep and uneven nature of the grounds, this property is not suitable for anyone with limited mobility.
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* For further clarification on Facilities and Amenities, please view the 'Details' tab for each property or speak to one of our experienced sales consultants.
Accommodation
- 2 bedroom house (sleeps 2-4)
Layout
- Sitting room with fireplace and Satellite TV
- Open-plan kitchen/dining area
- Kitchen includes gas hob, microwave, fridge-freezer, dishwasher
- 2 double bedrooms
- Steps down to bathroom with stone bath and shower
General
- Complimentary WiFi
- Air-conditioning in sitting room and kitchen
- Standing fan and table fan
- Iron, ironing board, hairdryer, pool and bath towels provided
- Washing machine
- Covered outdoor dining area
- Barbecue
- Natural saltwater rock pool, irregular shape (depth 1.2m – 1.3m depending on the tide); non-slip shoes are recommended for walking around the pool area
- Children under the age of 12 are not accepted due to low walls and an open staircase in the garden
- Some road noise might be heard from a secondary road that runs not far from the house
- A daily tourist tax applies for the first two weeks of your stay only, which means that an average of €1.50 per person (12+ years) may be charged. This should be paid in cash during your stay.
- National Identification Code: IT075052B400024920
WiFi
- All properties with WiFi are able to support basic functionality such as web browsing and checking emails. We aim to offer an uninterrupted service but sometimes, due to factors beyond our control, reliability can be affected.
Access times
- Check in time – 4:00pm - 8:00pm
- Check out time – 10:00am
Location
- Frascone Beach 15min walk
- Sant’ Isidoro (beach/restaurant/bar/bakery/mini-market) 4min drive
- Nardò (shops/restaurant/supermarket) 15min drive
- Porto Cesareo (shops/restaurant/supermarket) 20min drive
- Lecce 40min drive
- Brindisi airport 1hr drive
- Bari airport 2hr 15min drive
Flights
This property is priced on an accommodation-only basis, but we are happy to arrange flights for you if required. Please contact us for assistance.
Car hire
We are happy to arrange your car hire in Italy; please click here to view options and prices.
There’s a different side of Italy to discover on a holiday in Puglia – the land of the trulli, ancient olive groves and historic towns that take you on a journey from Byzantine to Baroque. And then there are the countless beaches and beach clubs that capture the diversity of this absorbing destination: unspoilt, unpretentious and full of creative flair, where the generosity of the locals is matched by the excellence of its cuisine.
To complete the picture, explore our collection of handpicked villas, and Partner Hotels to fully immerse yourself in the local culture.
Explore our pre-bookable experiences in Puglia.
Location
- Frascone Beach 15min walk
- Sant’ Isidoro (beach/restaurant/bar/bakery/mini-market) 4min drive
- Nardò (shops/restaurant/supermarket) 15min drive
- Porto Cesareo (shops/restaurant/supermarket) 20min drive
- Lecce 40min drive
- Brindisi airport 1hr drive
- Bari airport 2hr 15min drive
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