Best cheap hotels in the world

What is so great about this masseria, among a sea of masserias, is its laidback charm. Swiss owner Caroline Groszer has an elegant eye, collecting modern pieces and antiques to dress her multi-level house. Rooms are in fact whitewashed contemporary apartments, with their own little shaded gardens or suntrap terraces, kitchenettes for throwing together mozzarella, olives and tomatoes from the farm shop for lunch, and fridges to keep a couple of bottles of Verdeca white wine crisp.

Come and go as you please, stop by for a night or hunker down for a week or two. It is a brilliant base – midway between Monopoli and Ostuni, minutes from glorious beaches and surrounded by rustic farmland. Those in the know book well in advance to snag one of the highly sought-after summer weeks.