Torre San Giuseppe is a striking and historic house that lies close to ancient gates that were built to protect the medieval town of Galatina from attack. With areas dating back to the 19th and even 16th centuries, this ‘masseria’ farmhouse really gives you the feeling of having gone back in time. Original features share space with plenty of modern conveniences that ensure a comfortable and memorable stay. The rooms at Torre San Giuseppe are both spacious and cosy, with antique pieces of furniture adding to the sense of history and laidback grandeur. Elegance greets you right from the moment you enter the beautiful hall. This look and feel continues into the bright living space with two areas featuring comfortable sofas, a television and fireplace for relaxed evenings. There’s a choice of where to dine inside, with a small table and chairs adjacent to both the living space and kitchen. The kitchen itself is well-equipped and home to a larger dining table that’s ideal for those special meals. There are also doors that open straight onto the attractive courtyard. Found over the two levels of this villa are four tastefully-furnished, characterful and air-conditioned bedrooms. One of them can be found in the 16th-century tower that’s also home to a living area and a terrace offering scenic views. Two of the bedrooms have their own en-suite bathroom, with the other two bedrooms sharing the use of a family bathroom. Torre San Giuseppe is surrounded by pretty gardens with plenty of charming areas to unwind alone or spend time with loved ones. There are casual seating spots with comfortable cushions under shady trees and more formal areas with chairs and tables. Within the partially-terraced, lawned gardens is a dining table for enjoying al fresco meals. All around are traditional Mediterranean trees, plants and flowers creating an idyllic atmosphere. The private swimming pool is set within a rustic terrace that’s also where you’ll find a selection of sun loungers. Galatina is just a 15-minute walk away, with the town’s pretty streets telling the story of its rich past through the buildings that line them. Many of these are churches and beautiful Baroque palaces and houses. Soak up the friendly atmosphere as you browse the twice-weekly markets and dine in traditional restaurants that serve a range of local dishes. There’s even more history in the city of Lecce, which is less than a 15-minute drive from the villa. The lovely beaches of Gallipoli are also just a short drive away and are perfect for enjoying a family day out by the sea. Features: The Villa Ground Floor - Entrance hall  - Large living room with sofas, armchairs, fireplace and TV - Fully-equipped kitchen with dishwasher and table for six guests, French windows leading onto the internal court - Dining room with table and chairs for five guests - Laundry room with guest toilet - Double bedroom with en-suite shower - Double bedrooms with en-suite shower - Bathroom (shared between tower suite and mezzanine bedroom) Mezzanine Level (accessible from one of the bedrooms) - Double bedroom with mezzanine level futon-style sofa-bed  Mezzanine level (accessible from the corridor) - Double bed First Floor - Tower suite with compact sitting area with sofas, double bedroom (low ceiling in parts) and large terrace with panoramic views. Outside Grounds - Private pool and sun terrace with sun loungers - Gazebo with comfortable sofa and armchairs - Partially terraced garden filled with flowers - Internal square-shaped courtyard with parasols, comfortable seating area and table and chairs  Facilities - Wi-Fi - Stereo  - Air-conditioning in all bedrooms - Bedroom fans - Washing machine  - Cot - Mosquito nets - BBQ - Two bikes (please enquire if needed) Location: You’re perfectly placed to explore everything that historic Galatina has to offer during a stay at Torre San Giuseppe. The town centre is roughly 700m away, so you can walk there in around 15 minutes, or jump in the car and arrive in just five. You’ll find many shops, restaurants and markets on offer throughout this picturesque town. With some buildings dating back to medieval times, the most stunning architecture is from the Baroque period. There are lots of churches and majestic palaces from this era, with the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Grazia and the Basilica di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria being particularly impressive. If you fall in love with Galatina’s Baroque buildings, then you’ll be totally smitten with the city of Lecce (20km) as it’s famous for them. Make sure you visit the Basilica di Santa Croce and Piazza del Duomo. Lecce is also well-known for the ruins of a Roman theatre and amphitheatre. Coastal Gallipoli (28km) is the best place to go to enjoy a family day out by the sea. It offers a mix of sandy and rocky beaches, with Baia Verde being the longest and one of the most popular. The sea here is crystal clear, making it beautiful for swimming in and you can rent parasols and chairs to fully relax on this sandy beach. Other fascinating places that are within easy driving distance are the seaside town of Otranto (34km) and Taranto (120km) with its diverse and naturally beautiful landscapes. Parco Naturale Regionale di Porto Selvaggio (28km) is on the coast close to the town of Nardò and features great walking and cycling trails. Terms & Conditions: Security deposit? €1000 paid in cash to the owner upon arrival or through an online deposit request charged to clients credit card and refunded upon departure, subject to full inspection.’ Arrival time? 4.00 p.m. - 7.00 p.m. Departure time? 10.00 a.m. End of stay cleaning included? Extra €200, payable locally. Two hour maid service twice per week also included. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or garbage disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. Linen & towels included? All linen, bath towels and pool towels are provided. Energy costs included? Yes. Heating costs included? Yes. Minimum stay? 7 nights. All other durations on request. Changeover day? Saturday from June to September. Flexible during all other periods. Smoking Allowed? Outside only. Tax? Italy Visitors Tax payable locally (typically costs approximately between €1- €3 per adult per night- please enquire if exact amount is required). Insurance? It is recommended that all guests take out insurance to cover against potential cancellation and any accidental damage caused during your stay at the property. Pets welcome? On request only and with prior agreement with the owner. Other Ts and Cs? Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are not allowed.