Il Convento di Santa Maria di Costantinopoli, Puglia Italy

 

A former convent makes a beautific B&B in the luscious coastal countryside of Puglia. Owned by British aristocrats Alistair and Athena McAlpine, Il Convento di Santa Maria di Costantinopoli was Lord and Lady McAlipne's private home before they opened it up to paying guests in 2003. The eight room establishment is adorned with art and treasures from the couple's world travels and the library features an extensive collection of first-edition titles. We made our way there in 2004, before I had a digital camera!

A seating area in the internal courtyard.

The lovely Lady Athena McAlpine.

So much generosity and beauty,

Alistair McAlpine, proprietor, sexagenarian lord, treasurer of the British Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher, one of the world's great collectors,  and also, formerly a contributor to The World of Interiors magazine.

A typical breakfast, more fruit that you can imagine, we took a couple of pears on a walk and fed wild horses in an ancient olive grove.

The spring fed pool.

Another sitting room, on cool rainy afternoons there was a fire.

A typical lunch, everything fresh, local and served with wine from the cellar.

Fresh Burrata on just picked herbs.

I will scan additional pictures later. It was magic, the land, the food, the rare cacti collection, the herb garden, the wine cellar and the textiles! Highly recommend- no website, just call! Via Convento, Marittima di Diso; 44-7736/362-328; doubles from $300, including breakfast, lunch, wine, and laundry service.