The opportunity to buy a beautiful red painted old style ” casa colonica” cottage built in 1950, to renovate, with a charming stone walled court yard with scope to enhance the value by adding residential accommodation.

The opportunity to buy a beautiful red painted old style ” casa colonica” cottage built in 1950, to renovate, with a charming stone walled court yard with scope to enhance the value by adding residential accommodation. CasaPuglia can assist you with project management and a fixed price builders contract is available for you.

The 2 bedroom cottage on Contrada Badessa/Strada per Baccatani, offers superb Apulian country living in a farming community, still 10-20 minutes to local towns like the cosmopolitan Brindisi.

The accommodation to be modernized over 60 sq. m net floor area comprices 2 bedrooms, living room, kitchen and bathroom. Terrace doors to the charming inner courtyard 120 sq. m within original stone walls. The court yard has five mandarin trees, one lemon tree, a fig tree and the fresh water cistern. On the opposite side of the courtyard is a separate outbuilding of 40 sq. m, which contains 2 rooms and one large pizza oven BBQ. The building could alternatively be used for extra accommodation and be converted into 1-2 bedrooms and bathroom as a guest cottage, subject to planning permission.

There is a small garden with green plats and a small area planted with vegetables. The 4 hectares land consist of a large open fields with marvelous south easterly views toward the sea. This fields could be leased to farmers to farm with all kinds of vegetables, or use part of the land to plant vines or fruit trees like apricot, plums, oranges and peaches.

There are a few residential houses in the neighbourhood, all built as small farmer’s family houses. Over the years some have come in disrepair and are not lived in any more, some have recently been modernized and used as fine holiday homes. Due to the discovery again of this hidden beautiful area next to the famous nature reserve of Torre Guaceto it is likely that most houses will in the next few years all be refurbished and used as holiday homes by Italian families as well as by foreigners. This means if you would buy now that there is big scope for capital value growth. The roads are simple gravel roads, some parts better, some not so good but we expect that one stretch towards the sea will be paved as part of municipality works.

This property –and two other we have for sale in this area- offers a fantastic cottage style holiday home 7 km from the Adriatic Sea; the Guna beach has both public beaches and a smart beach club as well as kite surfing & sailing school. The small Serranova beach is reached in 10 minutes, the town of San Vito (20.000 inhabitants) in 12 minutes, the train station in 9 minutes. It is possible to take the train from Bari airport to this train station, which is on the main line Bari – Brindisi – Lecce

WHAT IS THE AREA LIKE?

Torre Guaceto is an Unesco nature reserve of 22.000 sq. km. Serranova is the centre of the Reserve. There is a visitor’s centre on the main street that tells you all about the area.

Torre Guaceto offers a wonderful light and noise pollution free environment. Still within ten minutes you can be in the lively seaside resorts of Santa Sabina and Specchiolla.

Everyone in the rural area know each other and you can expect a visit from the local farmers bearing gifts of locally grown produce.

The area has many small towns, local restaurants and bars that serve locally caught fish.

You and your guests may come to the villa and location for different reasons. Some come to take in the winter sun and chill out, others what to just crash out at the beach or pool. You may cycle and walk taking in all the history from the area. The Roman Via Appia is just minutes away, The Normal legacy is found in the local towns of San Vito and Carovigno and Brindisi has the famous Roman museum.

If you go to the beach late at night you might see the locals, wading into the water to catch sea life. It is funny watching them with little lamps strapped to their heads, their net on the back, olive oil in an old washing up liquid bottle and a spear. They squirt a little drop of olive oil on the surface and the squid go crazy!!!

The beaches are small and exclusive and there are no hotels or fast food places in site for 20 km. Bliss!!!! In the summer mobile food and drink units go to the beach, the best of both worlds.

The surrounding area has no building more than two storeys; so no large hotels, condos or apartments blocks.

The ancient forest of olive trees surrounding Serranova are magnificent and it’s fantastic to cycle or drive through. The trees roots come out of the ground like twisted legs and the branches look like arms. The thick trunks are scored and have large knots almost looking like faces, it reminds you of the trees in the Lord of the Rings.

When you drive through the nature reserve you are almost deafened by the noise of the crickets siting in the trees.

The beaches are ideal family places. Shallow coves and protected areas make the visit to the beach a pleasure. The beaches are deserted in the winter and very rarely busy at other times. July and August get busy with Italians from the north but the whole experience of watching Italian families interact is excellent.

If your holiday is not just for sun but you are interested in walking and cycling. Unlike other areas of Puglia Serra Nova and Torre Guaceto is flat land. There is one main dual carriageway down the coast and the rest of the roads are unchanged for hundreds of years. Puglia rises in altitude the further north you go. The area around Torre Guaceto from the very southern tip of the heel up to Serranova is very flat. Once you get to Ostuni the landscape changes.

Serranova is a versatile area ideal for families looking for a holiday of sun, sea and activities. Santa Sabina and Specchiolla are sea side resorts full of fish restaurants and shops. Northern Italians choose Puglia as the most popular destination. Couples looking to relax and chill or have a romantic long weekend, its only 2 hours flying from the UK so weekends are feasible.

Walkers and bikers can enjoy the wonderful sand dune beaches of Torre Guaceto, Lecce, Brindisi and Alberobello.

Holiday in southern Italy in April and May. The warm temperature combined with the evening rain turns the hedgerows and fields around Torre Guaceto into a spectacular site of colours. Wild flowers of all shapes and sizes. Fantastic!

20 minutes south is Brindisi a cosmopolitan town of 80,000 inhabitants. English is here more widely spoken as Brindisi has a UN base of 400 employees and many expats from different countries. Brindisi also has an International school. In Brindisi you can join language classes and cooking schools!

Finally, you are surrounded by olive groves: The olives are harvested in December to February and are handpicked to ensure they produce the best grade of extra virgin olive oil.

WHAT MORE TO SEE:

Ostuni and Lecce are wonderful cities to visit.

The cottage has the advantage of being not far from main areas of world interest such as the mile long caves of Castellana; the archaeological excavations of the Roman Egnatia by the Adriatic coast line; the Trulli houses of Alberobello- an UNESCO World heritage site: the beautiful white town of Ostuni, located on top of a hill with fantastic sea views; the medieval town of Oria; the wealthy baroque town of Martina Franca; the petite and charming Cisternino, the Zoo Safari Park of Fasano (lots of fun for children and adults alike); the caves of Polignano a Mare, well known also for its tasty ice cream; Grottaglie famous for its ceramics and old stone carvings; and last but not least the famous baroque city of Lecce which is called the Florence of the South. Lecce can be reached in 15 -20 minutes and has countless medical churches and a great richness of architecture. In town there is also the famous Roman amphibian theatre which is used for music and drama performances in the open during the summer season. Lecce is a wonderful town for long walks, enjoying the fantastic atmosphere, bars, outside restaurants and, naturally, great shops.

Further to the south, inland Salento have a number of historical charming villages with ancient history. The advantage to stay in a village is to be able to socialize with Italian neighbours, to walk to the café and buy a newspaper and a cup of coffee in the morning and having all amenities within reach daytime and nighttime. The townhouses often come with a garden and roof terrace. and its fascination to open the simple door from the street – and inside almost like a little palace with a garden!

In Sternatina and Martignano to the south of Lecce antique Greek is still spoken by the villagers.

Maglie is like a mini Lecce and with many fine buildings. Muro Leccese is smaller and also represent a small town/village with a fine architectural history. Cutrofiano popular for French holiday home ownerships. Ruffano has many fine old buildings for sale, waiting to find new owners and to be restored. Surano has a small town centre with very nice antique buildings for sale. Spongano again is a small village surrounded by olive groves. Here you can see secluded great villas and country retreats owned by foreigners and families from North Italy who come to relax in rural Salento.

The east coast of Salento is rougher than the south west and for people who enjoy the sea and fishing. Somewhat more elegant than the east coast. Castro is beautiful with its location on top of the cliff by the sea and many villas with direct access to the sea. Santa Cesarea Terme is a spa resort, very popular with a beautiful setting and bay.

The cost from Santa Maria di Leuca to Gallipoli has many fine sandy beaches. The villages are perhaps not the prettiest but room for the beach life, pizzerias, and restaurants and disco music summer time.

Santa Catarina well known also for its many fine villas in the area, some antique.

The sea outside of Porto Cesare further up the coast is probably the most beautiful and fantastic sunsets.

GETTING THERE:

By air there is a choice of two international airports, served by Ryanair, Easyjet , BA and others, both easily reached; Bari in the North by car on the motorway in approximately 1 hour 15 minutes and nearby Brindisi in the South in approximately 17 minutes.

MORE TO SEE IN APULIA:

Bari being the commercial capital city with 250 000 inhabitants’ offers the best shopping, a grand opera house, called the Petruzzelli teatro; a large medical city centre with many museums. Just north of Bari lies a little town called Giovinazzo a true gem, right by the sea. Further north is Molfetta Outlet, a famous shopping galleria and 20 minutes further is Traini, a sophisticated town with a beautiful half moon bay & marina. Continue north to Castel del Monte, which is the mystical castle built by Frederic II in the 13th Century.

Within a 2,5 hour drive to the North of Bari lies Gargano, the peninsula called the spur of the Italian boot. Gargano forms a large nature and wildlife Reserve and offers hiking and scenic trips around the peninsula. From here there are daily boat trips to the small Tremiti islands.

LIFESTYLE AND CULTURE:

The Italian lifestyle means many things but especially socializing; the home is used for sleeping and breakfasts, the Italians go out for enjoyments and dining.

There are so much you can experience, like early morning markets in the small towns. music festivals, religious carnivals, the beach life, historical tours in the main towns, cooking classes, learning a bit Italian at language schools in Lecce, dining at the many country and sea side restaurants, night clubbing at the beach clubs of Capitolo.

SPORTS:

As Apulia is a peninsula and surrounded by the two seas- the Adriatic in the north and the Ionic in the south – water sports dominate in the area; sailing, yachting, waterskiing, kitesurfing swimming & beach life. Golf is available with five good courses and San Domenico is world class ( PGA 2014 Challenge Final). Tennis, horseback riding, hiking and bicycle tours are other options for the active minded. Squash clubs are located in Bari, Bitonto and other places.

WHY BUY IN APULIA?

Apulia has until recently been called the hidden treasure of Italy, unknown to most tourists who come & stay in Rome, Florence, Venize and at the Italian Riviera. However, all this is rapidly changing because of massive investments in the infrastructure, such as the improved motorways, enlarged airports and the introduction of low cost airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet.

The property prices are low in Apulia and low means value for money at bargain prices for the international buyers. We see more and more foreign visitors coming to Apulia and in our opinion investments will show good growth in value because of the increased demand.

Also from north Italians as Apulia has become the most popular holiday destination for Italians. But rest assure, no tourist villages will ever be built because in Apulia the cost line is protected and people are against modern developments which do not fit into this historical landscape. Therefore, with increased demand for a fixed and limited number of properties prices are bound to rise.

The WEATHER:

Being south, Apulia has warmer weather than Northern Italy and even in the”winter months” of December to February the average number of sun hours per day is 4 and in June-August 10-11 sun hours per day! This means you can enjoy a long season of nice weather in Apulia. When you plan to buy a holiday home in Apulia think of that you will spend a lot more time outside than in the inside compared to at home. Therefore you will need plenty of terrace space, pergolas etc at your Apulian property and also cooking facilities outside is very practical.

The water temperature in beginning of May is in average 19 degrees, up to 27 degrees in August/September and 19 degrees in November. This means you & family will spend time at the beach. Where ever you are in Apulia you can reach the beaches within 30 minutes!

WHY BUY FROM CASAPUGLIA?

Firstly we are an English speaking agency based in the middle of Puglia with local experience and can guide you to get the right property at the right price for you.

Secondly we have personally inspected every property that we recommend to buy and do not list hundreds of properties but a smaller selection of properties which we believe offer good value to the buyer. In Apulia many properties are offered at unrealistic prices but we say no to sellers who want us to list properties for sale at silly prices.

We have many years of international property experience, including 10 years in London, and see investments in Apulia through an international perspective. We have been active in several EU property markets and specialize in property management to ensure well maintained property for growth in property value.

Our comprehensive range of local services:

Acting for the buyer – and not for the seller

By searching the market for the right property, negotiate the price and give advise through the buying process leading to completion of the purchase

Property management; we look after your property when you are away and ensure it is in perfect condition when you arrive.

We will prepare a maintenance plan for annual maintenance and repairs of you property, which is essential to maintain and increase the property’s value

Project management; we can act as you local representative and manage any renovation or refurbishment. We will also advise on any value added measures which could further enhanse the capital growth of your property.

Lettings- we can assist you in the letting of you property and check in your tenants, deposit taking, checking out & inventory control.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!