Dream Destination: Il Convento di Santa Maria Costantinopoli – Puglia, Italy

You could imagine the 500-year old home of renowned art collector, the late Lord Alastair McAlpine, would be filled with many beautiful museum-quality objects. But nothing prepares you for the treasures that line the floors and walls of this amazing monastery-converted-home (and now very special accommodation!) in Puglia, Italy. Welcome to Il Convento di Santa Maria Costantinopoli!

From 'Convento' to Dream Accommodation

Lord McAlpine originally purchased the ex-Franciscan convento (monastery) as a wedding gift for his wife Lady Athena. Together they lovingly restored today’s dream accommodation in Puglia to its former glory. The walls and floors of Il Convento are covered in tribal textiles, Moroccan rugs and paintings from the Far East, Africa and Australia. And the collection of books (around 14 tons in total) could keep the most avid bookworm busy for years.

Each of the eight guest rooms is unique, reflecting the owner’s passions and interests. However, there is nothing about Italy’s Il Convento that suggests the “roped off, do not touch” atmosphere of a museum. A stay here is relaxed and informal and Lady McAlpine’s guests are treated like visiting friends.

Puglia Immersion

Guests sleep under embroidered sheets. Food is served in Afghan ceramic bowls and the tablecloths are made from fabric sourced from West Africa, France, Eastern Europe and Southern Italy. The kitchen is alive with fresh Puglia produce. Meal times are held around a long oak dining table and breakfast is served until 1pm.

The central courtyard, filled with rare plants, offers a retreat from the midday sun - perfect to dream away. Guests to the homey accommodation can also relax by the pool or join Lady McAlpine for an early morning dip in the nearby bay. Which is just a short walk away through the olive groves.

The best thing of it all: you can now stay four nights at Il Convento accommodation as part of our special 11-day Puglia Walking & Cultural Tour in September 2016. For more information you can contact our friendly teams of travel experts or have a sneak peak at the trip to this Italian dream accommodation here.