Essential Italy

Il Convento di Santa Maria di Constantinopoli

Writing a description for this bed and breakfast, hotel-home is not easy. Alastair and Athena McAlpine restored this ex-convent four years ago and the result is amazing. The philosophy at Il Convento is that the guests are treated as visiting friends, and with a total of only eight rooms the atmosphere is relaxed and informal.

Each of the rooms is unique and the decoration reflects the owners passions and interests. The walls and floors are covered in rugs, textiles and pictures from the Far East and Africa. The collection of books will keep the most avid bookworm busy for years. The central courtyard is the heart of the house and guests can relax here or alternatively by the pool which is located at the rear of the convent in a lovely garden. The courtyard offers a marvellous retreat from the heat of the midday Puglian summer sun. Meal times are fabulous and the open kitchen is alive with local produce. Breakfast is an extravangza of fresh fruit, pastries and coffee, lunch is included. Evening meals can be ordered and are paid for locally (€40.00).

There is so much to enjoy within the convent that stepping out into this fascinating corner of Puglia will be hard. However we encourage you to set off and enter into the mood. The dramatic coastline from Otranto to Santa Leuca is a joy to explore and the wonderful town of Lecce is just 30 minutes drive away. The essence of this region is to be found in the small villages – they hark back to a time before Italy was invaded by tourists and wondering through the backstreets is a real step back in time. Do not expect the chic boutiques of Tuscan towns or the luxury of the Sardinian elite – here what you see is what you get – bakers sell bread, butchers sell meat – no national supermarket chains, the marketing brigade has not arrived here! In this corner of Puglia nature rules – rugged coastline and the harsh hinterland.

We believe that staying at Il Convento di Santa Maria di Constaninopoli will be an experience not easily forgotten, this unique home-from-home, and the charming McAlpine family, will leave you relaxed and refreshed and with a tale to recount to friends upon your return.

The owners have asked us not to publish photographs of the property but please contact us directly for further information. Price includes breakfast, lunch, drinks and laundry. No television or telephone.