The Best Hotels in Puglia to Book for an Idyllic Italian Escape | Vogue

"Perched at Ugento’s highest point, the castle feels like a lovingly restored time capsule: most visible fabric dates to the 17th century, yet an 11th-century Norman tower foundation was rediscovered during restoration and can now be viewed through glass floors in the dining area. Restored by Massimo d’Amore and Diana Bianchi, the nine individually decorated rooms sit alongside an orchard garden and a nearby sister property, while the food is a particular highlight—chef Tommaso Sanguedolce runs Il Tempo Nuovo with a fresh, unfussy take on Puglian cooking, and the on-site Puglia Culinary Centre even runs courses for everyone from beginners to Michelin-star chefs; restored Baroque frescoes on the piano nobile and planned contemporary exhibitions add further cultural depth." - Liam Hess