I often imagine Paradise as a snippet of Mediterranean landscape. Garnished with a pinch of heat, the distant breeze of the Adriatic sea, the swinging branches of olive trees (waiting for the end of summer harvest), the fresh colors of the citruses… a shred of firm evidence that we are in the Southern part of the Apennines. I have been to Italy many times but still dream of my next travel adventure in Puglia. I haven’t set a date for this trip but I already have a stay in mind…
If you stumble upon Borgo Gallana’s IG you’ll find yourself in a rare heaven-on-earth place. Set in Puglia’s most southern part, near the well-preserved historic village of Oria, this boutique villa complex combines modern minimalism in architecture in an unprecedented fashion, paying simultaneously tribute to the local building traditions of the area.
Borgo Gallana’s founder Giuseppe di Vana is not a dreamer but a visioner who successfully turned his childhood memories of Puglia into a 21-century modern B&B.
“Returning to Borgo Gallana is like reliving the days spent in the countryside with my grandmother, the hot summer afternoons in the shade of the citrus grove, having a snack and listening to my grandmother’s stories, sitting and watching her make the famous local orecchiette and macaroni”.
Oria is close to both Giuseppe’s family home and the local airport, as well as set in the midst of the two coasts. “Depending on the wind’s direction you can choose a beach day near the Adriatic or the Ionian sea”, says Borgo Gallanas’s owner.
After a decade in Italy’s business capital – Milan, and exploring the world himself, Giuseppe bought the land in 2018. He hired studio Andrew Trotter (with projects featured in Conde Nast Traveler, Monocle, Telegraph, Elle Decor Italy, etc.) to work on his soon-to-be dream come true.
“It took a year to finalize the project and deal with bureaucracy. However, the most difficult part was to select the right contractors as Andrew Trotter Studio’s pivotal requirement was to use only natural products with the ancient construction techniques of Puglia”, shared moments of the making process story Giuseppe.
Borgo Gallana comprises 3 independent houses. Camino (chimney in Italian), Luce (light), and Limone (lemon tree – an easy guess, right?) – named after their peculiar traits.
Each house has its own garden and BBQ area. Its layout consists of a comfy living room, a well-equipped kitchen, and a dining space with minimalistic design approaches and colorful decor that highlights Puglia’s warm nature palette. The bedrooms boast king-size beds and all bathrooms provide a private outdoor area with unique masonry bathtubs. Camino, Luce, and Limone overlook the vast Mediterranean garden of the property that hides a cool-off-in-hot-days swimming pool. Upon guest request, the property allows you to get a private chef, dive into yoga sessions, work out with personal trainers, enjoy relaxing massages…
Giuseppe advises visiting Puglia in May or October – the first and last months of Puglia’s high season. This time is known for lesser crowds and cooler weather with average temperatures of 20 degrees. Visiting in the suggested period allows you to skip the hustle and bustle of the Summer yet still enjoy the best about Puglia – “traditions, architecture, nature, and food”.
Giuseppe’s local favorite dishes include: “orecchiette con cime di rapa, taralli, focacce, riso patate e cozze, parmigiana and fresh cheeses such as mozzarella, burrata, stracciatella and giuncata.
I can’t wait to relish his culinary picks in my private Borgo Gallana backyard, you?
Photos: Courtesy of Borgo Gallana
