Off the Beaten Path in Italy - Discover Salento
Located in the Salento peninsula – often described as the heel of Italy’s boot – the family owned Relais Monastero Santa Teresa invites guests to authentically enjoy a taste of the local Apulian lifestyle. Made up of three carefully renovated palaces dating back to the Middle Ages, the Relais is an ‘albergo diffuso’ or ‘scattered hotel’, meaning it's accommodations are in different historical buildings just steps away from one another. The properties are located in the small town of Nardò which lies within the province of Lecce. Besides offering a fascinating history and stunning coastline, Nardò also makes a great base for exploring the many charming Apulian towns which surround it.
Continue reading below to learn more about the special region of Salento and the passionate Rizzello family, owners of the Relais Monastero Santa Teresa.
Why Salento?
"‘There’s Something in the Air’ in Italy’s Salento. In this southernmost region of the country’s bootheel, the Ionian Sea is to the west, the Adriatic to the east, and the countryside is filled with stone walls and twisted olive trees, fields of long golden grass and wildflowers."
– The New York Times
Historical cities, unspoiled towns, seaside gems, a stunningly dramatic coastline, highly regarded local food and wine, white sand beaches, crystal clear waters – this is a summary of the beautiful Salento region. Clients who enjoy laid back authenticity and experiencing a destination through a local lense should definitely consider adding this destination to their itineraries.
Experience Highlights
E-BIKING
Cycle to the sea
between the stone
walls of country roads.
COOKING CLASS
Learn the secrets of Apulian cuisine with a local chef.
WINE TASTING
Visit local wineries
and taste the delicious
wines of Salento.
OLIVE OIL TASTING
Taste olive oil locally
grown and produced
in the Salento region.
HIKING
Discover Nardò's 15 miles of gorgeous coastline by foot.
BOATING
Ride the waves, feel
the breeze and enjoy
the crystalline waters.
HISTORICAL TOURS
Learn about the area's
rich history and visit its
many villas & palaces.
YOGA CLASSES
Find movement and relaxation through yoga classes.
TRIPS TO THE BEACH
Enjoy expansive white
sand beaches and
crystal clear waters.
The Rizzello Family
The hospitality and home-like feeling emanating from the Relais Monastero Santa Teresa is what makes it truly special.
Six years ago, Antonello Rizzello, his wife Celine and their growing family moved from Paris to Antonello’s hometown of Nardò, to restore their family-owned historic palaces and share them with the world. The result was the Relais Monastero Santa Teresa, where the passion put into honoring the original structure and beauty of these buildings shines through.
The Rizzellos are delightfully integral to the entire experience – whether its Antonello guiding guests on a tour of the town and its history, Celine teaching the method behind her artisanal soap and candle making, or Antonello’s mother leading a cooking class full of laughs and local cuisine.
Villa Tafuri
Also owned by the Rizzello family, Villa Tafuri was built in the 15th century as a fortified tower to protect the area from attacks from the sea. In the 17th century, the Tafuri barons, who no longer needed protection, transformed the tower into a magnificent manor house; a masterpiece of Baroque architecture.
QUICK FACTS
» Swimming Pool
» 2 Living Rooms
» Kitchen
» 4 Bedrooms
» 10 Acres
» 2 Gardens
Travel Advisor Contact
SARA DE SIMONE
info@hmdomus.com
+39 0833 1936043