Puglia is a beautiful part of Italy. Down in the heel of the boot and peppered with thousands of olive trees. It is Italy in its most simple yet beautiful form. And somewhere to get away from the crowds of tourists and experience the real heart of this diverse and interesting country. We took a winter trip to Puglia and Matera, staying at the Masseria Torre Coccaro. Read all about our visit with kids.
About Masseria Torre Coccaro, Puglia, Italy
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Masseria are unique to southern Italy and are former working farms or olive mills. Today many of these have been converted into hotel accommodation.
And Masseria Torre Coccaro really is leading the pack.
Set amongst its own olive groves through winding lanes lined by small stone walls. This is Puglian countryside blended with all the luxury you could possibly need.
Masseria Torre Coccaro is about 40 minutes from Bari airport. It’s in an ideal location for sightseeing in the area with Lecce an hour away and the Unesco World Heritage sites of Alberobello (30 minutes) and Matera (an hour and a half) in striking distance.
Sleep:
Every room is different in Masseria Torre Coccaro. From a traditional double to suites with hot tubs or even your own, private outdoor heated pool.
We stayed in Suite 40 which was beautiful to look at from the outside, situated next to the chapel.
Inside we had a gorgeous double bedroom.
There was room for the children’s beds.
We loved the lounge area with our own fireplace (which was cleaned out and re-stocked daily for us – perfect for the cooler nights in February when we visited).
There was also one of the most beautiful bathrooms ever.
This was complete with the masseria’s own products using the olive oil that is all around.
There was also a separate little loo.
There were also doors onto our own sun-drenched patio area, overlooking the ever-present olive groves.
We loved this space, with its tall ceilings and a real sense of the history of this previously working farm.
Even in February, it was warm and cozy and with no next-door neighbors (the chapel aside) we didn’t have to worry about the children making noise when they were playing.
Food:
Breakfast at Masseria Torre Coccaro was a real treat. Tables were heaving with every fruit you could imagine.
There were also breads, pastries, yogurts, so many different cheeses, fruit juices etc
And there was also a hot menu where you could order frittatas or even bruschetta.
It was the perfect way to start a day.
The restaurants are also open for lunch and dinner and we enjoyed some delicious meals here.
I love that they would always start with a bowl of freshly picked vegetables and also their lovely rustic bread. And of course their own, delicious olive oil.
The menu was packed with real treats with plenty of fresh seafood dishes.
There was also lots of pasta.
The children could eat smaller plates from the main menu or else there was a specific children’s menu.
My three have fallen in love with the little ‘ear’ pasta which is typical of this area, covered in homemade delicious tomato sauce.
The desserts were a great treat including mille feuilles, ice cream and three chocolate mousse.
The Best Bits:
Masseria Torre Coccaro is a place to come and enjoy.
It really has something for everyone. It’s a place to relax, with fantastic food and ideally situated to get to the beaches in summer (they have their own private beach you can use nearby) and the interesting towns in Winter.
It has all the rustic charm to make you feel like you’re seeing somewhere different. Something of real Italy and somewhere really special.
If you want to just stay in there is a beautiful spa set in the caves.
There were wonderful walks to take around the property. And there is character at every turn but you can still return to the beautiful rooms with fast wifi and relax in that sunken bath at the end of the day.
Worth Bearing in Mind:
Even if you’re planning to get away from it all you will need a car here.
Apart from anything, it would be a shame not to go out and see some of the amazing surrounding sights. And if it’s summer a trip to the beach is a must.
It’s quite a remote location so a car will be essential.
Masseria Torre Coccaro – Child Friendly?
. . . Masseria Torre Coccaro is somewhere where children are most definitely welcome.
In summer there is a fantastic outdoor pool with a beach-like sloping floor so really safe for kids.
As this is not open in the winter it’s possible to talk to reception and if the spa is not busy they will usually let the children swim in the very warm waters there (it’s a space usually reserved for over 10s).
There is also a small playground.
The masseria also organize some brilliant activities. We spent a morning cooking with their chef before eating the pizza, pasta and other dishes we’d made.
This was such a fantastic experience for all of us and something our children keep talking about.
There are also bikes to borrow, swimming lessons and a babysitting service.
So it really is perfect for a family break.
We absolutely loved our time at Masseria Torre Coccaro. It’s such a special place it almost feels like our secret.
But we are not going to be selfish and are sharing it with you.
See our video of our stay at Masseria Torre Coccaro
Ready to book?
You can find out more and book the masseria here.
Enjoyed this post? Find more related content here:
Our guide to Italy with kids
Exploring Alberobello in Puglia
What to buy in Matera, Italy
Why you should stay in a masseria in Puglia
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