The masseria is spread out in a series of elegant white buildings with red trim that house the reception, bar, restaurant and 15 eclectic rooms furnished with repurposed, well, pretty much everything that can be repurposed. Think old gramophone horn as a lampshade, for instance.

Scattered around the grounds are bales of hay, ancient household implements, old trucks, a bright yellow-and-sky-blue horse-drawn carriage and bright clusters of flowers and cacti that look like paint splashes against the whitewashed walls.

Quite apart from the food, which is excellent and should be taken by the poolside at night while listening to the resident frog chorus, this is a place that rewards a simple stroll around the grounds. Here you'll find cascading clouds of purple bougainvillea, pots of scarlet flowers, palm trees, fields of poppies and, at the very rear of the property, a small vegetable patch and a fenced-in area shared by a gaggle of goats, ducks, pigs and a couple of bad-tempered turkeys.

Whatever your choice, the entirety of the day will be characterized by the slow rhythm of the countryside. The morning starts with an abundant breakfast, the jams will naturally be the ones that you yourself have seen prepared from fruit, as will be the pastries and sweets and the typical "ciambella" cakes, fresh from the oven, prepared with local free range eggs and wheat.

For lunch, you can ask for a basket with local "friselle" – seasoned with the sweet tomatoes of the vegetable garden and a savoury, fruity olive oil – as well as seasonal fresh fruit and local cheeses. Once back from the sea you can rest in the fresh and shady gardens, away from the heat.

In the hottest hours of the day, the lifestyle becomes more relaxed and all that can be heard is the soporific sound of the cicadas. Later, the life of the Masseria slowly restarts. When the sun sets, the guests come back from their trips to find again the real atmosphere of the Masseria: the poignant, crimson sunsets, which are reflected on the white walls give a magic lighting to the buildings.

In this mystic moment which induces meditation, the only frenetic activity takes place behind the vast windows of the kitchen, from where one can savour the delicious aromas of the Mediterranean cuisine. This profound silence is suddenly broken by the sound of tambourines. Now, with the first cool breeze of the evening, the lessons of "pizzica" and "tarantella" begin, and soon, even the laziest will be infected with the awakening rhythm.

The dinner is served: the guests sit around the long tables, soon becoming a single group, where common interests are discovered and advice on various excursions shared.