Palazzo San Vito opens first into a large open-air portico and courtyard lined with luscious plants, which beckon you forwards and inside. There, you step through to a sweeping foyer, where vaulted ceilings, a decorative stone fireplace, and plush lounge chairs, immediately set the tone for the rest of the estate; grand, luxurious yet effortlessly homely.

Straight ahead is the palazzo’s beating heart, its vast dining room, which connects in an open plan to a sociable, state-of-the-art kitchen, pantry, and guest bathroom. Huge glass windows line the far wall, overlooking the verdant gardens while pulling the outside airiness and characteristic Apulian light inside. Where possible, original 19th-century features remain — the star-shaped vaulted ceiling, the carved stone friezes, the tiled floors — enhanced by custom-made contemporary furnishings, such as the extensive dining table. Its cooling wood and stainless steel detailing changes tone as the sunlight streaming in shifts throughout the day. Its great dimension welcomes endless plates of food carried with ease from the kitchen island behind it. As the meal comes to an end, guests intuitively float towards the drinks room on the right hand side, complete with velvet seats, atmospheric lighting, and a stainless steel bar to mix cocktails while continuing conversations within a new setting.

Back in the entrance hall, which is also accessed via the kitchen pantry, an entryway on the right leads into the tranquil garden room. Now, it is a lounge space, centred around a sunken seating area bedecked with gravel, potted plants, and cosy cushions. With direct access to the garden, the space acts as a cooling respite on the hottest summer afternoons, as well as a cosy den on the rainier or colder days in Puglia’s autumn and winter months.

Behind the garden room is another living area with soothing green sofas that reflect Palazzo San Vito’s continuous dialogue with nature. It is an intentionally minimalist room designed for contemplative reflection and relaxation.