COUNTRYSIDE

La Fuga Salento

Ugento - Italy

Four small houses in the Salento olive groves, made for a week with no real timetable. Beach, pool, dinner outside…repeat as needed.

Countryside

4 Houses

Pool

Beach 2km

Kitchen

Barbecue

THE SETTING

La Fuga Salento sits near Ugento, in the lower part of Puglia where the region stretches towards Santa Maria di Leuca and the Ionian Sea.

Salento is the southern end of Puglia: flatter, hotter, brighter, and more Mediterranean in feeling than the Valle d’Itria further north. The landscape moves between olive groves, dry-stone walls, sandy beaches, small inland towns, whitewashed villages and summer evenings that happen mostly outside.

This part of the coast belongs to the Litorale di Ugento Regional Natural Park, a protected area of beaches, basins, Mediterranean scrub, olive countryside and low coastal landscapes. Torre Mozza is the nearest beach, around 2 km away, with pale sand and easy Ionian water.

La Fuga is set back from the coast, hidden among olive trees and orchards on two private acres. The estate was created from old ruined farm buildings, now reworked into four independent homes around shared outdoor spaces.

THE HOUSES

La Fuga Salento comprises four separate houses. Casa di Pini is the largest house, with two bedrooms and its own private plunge pool with hydromassage. It works well for a family within the group, or for guests who want a little extra independence from the main shared pool.

Casa di Uva, Casa di Mandorla and Casa di Gelso are one-bedroom homes, each with its own kitchen, bathroom, living space and outdoor area. Some work best for couples, others can take extra guests on sofa beds, giving the estate flexibility for friends or several families travelling together.

The houses are simple in the right way: pale interiors, clean lines, natural textures, indoor-outdoor living, kitchens made for self-catering, and terraces that become part of the daily rhythm. Nothing feels over-decorated.

THE STAY

The infinity pool is the centre of the estate, with countryside views, a shared jacuzzi and enough space around it for long, lazy afternoons. Around the gardens, there are several outdoor dining and lounge areas, so the group does not need to live in one single spot all day.

The estate has fruit trees, olive groves, private terraces, hammocks, outdoor showers, barbecue areas and roof terraces with sea views. The houses are self-catering, with kitchens in each villa. Extra services can be arranged depending on the stay: chef, yoga, massage, tastings or local experiences. The property already has enough without too much planning. Pool, beach, terrace, repeat — Salento does the rest.

AROUND LA FUGA SALENTO

Torre Mozza is the closest beach, around 2 km away. It is part of the Ugento coastline, known for long sandy stretches, low dunes and clear Ionian water. Torre San Giovanni, Lido Marini, Pescoluse, Torre Pali and the beaches towards Santa Maria di Leuca all sit within reach for different versions of a beach day.

Ugento is inland, with an old centre, churches, archaeological traces and a slower local rhythm behind the beach traffic. Specchia, Presicce-Acquarica and Morciano di Leuca give another side of the area: stone streets, palazzi, evening strolls and small-town dinners.

Gallipoli works well for a livelier night out, with its old town on the water, seafood restaurants and summer energy. Santa Maria di Leuca is the southern point of the peninsula, where the Adriatic and Ionian sides of Salento almost meet.

Lecce is the bigger cultural day: baroque façades, courtyards, churches, cafés and a very different pace from the coast. Otranto can also work for a longer outing on the Adriatic side.

THE OWNERS

Maarten Pieter Overvliet hosts La Fuga Salento. The project has a clear Dutch-Salento eye: old rural structures kept low and discreet, clean architecture, outdoor living, and enough privacy for several households to share one place without feeling on top of each other.

The idea is simple and well judged: four independent houses instead of one large villa, with the shared pool and gardens giving the estate its centre. That makes La Fuga especially useful for friends or families who want to travel together while still keeping their own space.

GOOD TO KNOW

La Fuga Salento sleeps up to 14 guests across four villas, with five bedrooms and four bathrooms in total. It can also be rented as a full private property.

The property is self-catering. Private chef, housekeeping, yoga, massage, tastings and local experiences can be arranged on request.

Rates start at €160 per night for smaller houses. A minimum stay of three nights applies.