We stumbled across this magnificent place — Ascosa Relais sul Mare — while exploring Puglia, and what an incredible discovery it turned out to be! We were simply looking for somewhere to have a drink, but instead we found one of the most memorable experiences of our trip. Even though the bar was officially closed, the Direttore, Emanuele Bassi, went above and beyond — he personally opened it up for us so we could sample some of their local offerings. And my goodness, did we sample well! Emanuele introduced us to a stunning local red wine called Susumaniello, produced right here in Puglia. What a revelation — a bold, full-bodied red that glides over your tongue and down your throat like liquid velvet. Absolutely divine! If you find yourself anywhere near this region, do yourself a favour and pop in to see Emanuele. His warmth, passion, and hospitality embody everything that makes Puglia so special. And whatever you do, don’t leave without tasting that amazing wine! Five stars all around — an unforgettable experience!

Stunning hidden gem

Let me start by saying this hotel is a beautiful hidden gem. The staff were extremely attentive, kind, and very thoughtful. We were leaving before 7 AM in the morning and that evening they brought breakfast for us knowing that we would miss breakfast. The room was extremely clean. They have beautiful terrace with a pool lemon trees growing around the rooms. It was a very authentic Italian experience. However, you do have to ask if they will be having private functions as this hotel is used for private functions quite a bit, there was an anniversary function when we went, but that didn’t affect our stay at all. The main doors to the restaurant were shut so we couldn’t hear the music playing.