Contrada Dogana, Montescaglioso, Montescaglioso, Basilicata 75024

This unique 10.6-hectare country estate is located 20 kilometers from Matera, near the border of Basilicata and Pugliajust a one-hour drive from Bari, the nearest international airport. The property features 7.6 hectares of land cultivated with vegetables and olive groves and 3 hectares of lush, English-style lawn. There are five homes divided into eleven apartments, each with front patios surrounded by greenery. The estate also includes a swimming pool, a barbecue area, a former stable converted into a reception area, a children's play area, and a five-a-side football pitch. Additionally, there is a restaurant set amidst olive trees and a large building that was originally used as stables. This building, with a surface area of 1, 200 square meters and a front yard of 1, 500 square meters, has been repurposed into a laboratory for organic vegetable preservation and is now an open space with significant potential, featuring also two offices, bathrooms, and changing rooms. The property has previously hosted the renowned agriturismo LOrto di Lucania, which was selected by Alastair Sawday of Sawday's guides as one of the 15 places to stay in Italy where the food is as wonderful as the surroundings. and described it on the Guardian as ..a place where you can enjoy food grown on the spot and as honestly as is possible organic too, the final arbiter of high quality. And what value! Rare red aubergines are a treat in store at this organic family farm. The owners grow produce using time-honoured methods and serve farm-fresh meals by the fire, or out among gnarled olive trees. Apartments have full kitchens, terrace doors and open fires. Opt for breakfast and it's a homemade, homegrown feast. Swim up an appetite in the large parasol-ringed pool, borrow a bike or arrange horse riding. This area of Basilicata, on the Puglian border, is an undiscovered delight with heaps to see and do . The Times included L'Orto di Lucania among the Five of the top Italian farm stays: In the little-visited deep south in the arch of the boot of Italy, LOrto (which means kitchen garden) grows artichokes, aubergines, tomatoes and peppers. Work up an appetite for dinner in the restaurant (or cook your own from farm produce) by cycling or walking to picturesque villages and archaeological sites .