The Poolside Pearler

The Poolside Pearler: Apulia

This grand apartment boasts a rarity in central Lecce – the private garden is home to a plunge pool, perfect for cooling off in the southern Italian heat. As evening arrives, the shaded outdoor dining table is a great spot for a spritz or two. Inside, the minimal furnishings let historic frescoed ceilings take centre stage and keep things feeling open and breezy, if a little spartan. The kitchen area is quirky – spread between an old-style hearth in a vast dining area and a modern oven and stove tucked away with the other appliances in a pantry-like space. If cooking isn’t your bag, there are myriad trattoria, wine bars and coffee shops in the ancient streets of Lecce around you.

Home truths:
*This apartment is on the first floor of a building without a lift. You'll need to climb a set of stairs to reach the entrance and descend some stairs to reach the pool.
*One of the bedrooms features a mezzanine bed with a low ceiling and a twisting spiral staircase to reach it.
*Your host can provide a cot for infants on request.
*The private pool is rare in this central location, but it is quite small. It's more suited to cooling dips than swimming laps.
*While having a car is not necessary in the centre of Lecce, there is a private parking space with this home.