Casa del Menhir, Materano Trail and Cycle Route

Between nature and must-see places of Puglia, we welcome you on the second floor of a villa surrounded by olive grove and typical Murgia vegetation. Ideal for couples or small families, the spacious and comfortable apartment with large outdoor spaces will be the perfect base for your excursions in the region, offering you plenty of relaxation and tranquility. Enjoy the enchanting immersion in nature just steps from the Alta Murgia National Park among orchids, aromatic herbs, hills and oak woods... The space Arriving at the house, you will notice, at the beginning of the avenue that leads to the entrance of the parking lot, a rock tilted towards who knows what cosmic forces. This rock is an ancient Neolithic Menhir dating back approximately 4000-4500 years ago. For us this rock is sacred and somehow reflects its benevolent energy on the property. Once you enter, you can access the accommodation on the first floor via an independent staircase that leads to a terrace belonging to the vacation home. Upon entering the house, decorated with a design that combines the rustic simplicity of rural life with elegance, you will notice that it is ideally designed to ensure comfort and practicality. The house is an attic that has several sloping walls. The shower, for example, despite being large and comfortable, has a useful height of just over 180 cm. If you are very tall, you will have to lower yourself a little!! :) Upon entering, you discover the living room, an open and bright space that combines a dining room, kitchenette, and living area. In the center of the room is a large and ancient dining table. Next to this, the kitchenette is equipped with the necessary: refrigerator, small stove (one plate), electric plate/grill, kettle, coffee maker, and cooking utensils to prepare breakfast and hot dishes. In this space, there is also a comfortable armchair and a nice sofa bed that guarantee comfort and two extra beds. Although these two additional beds may also be suitable for a couple of adults, the space is still limited (one and a half squares) and the environment, being open, cannot guarantee the right intimacy. We recommend its use for children and therefore for a family of up to four people. This space has an air conditioner for the hottest days. From the living room, a corridor leads to the large bedroom, which is also furnished in a simple but elegant way. Decorative touches and light create a welcoming, soothing atmosphere in the spaces. Finally, the large bathroom combines careful finishes and a harmonious design with practicality. A washing machine is available here. The spacious terrace will allow you to live a unique and wonderful experience, from breakfast to sunset, for an aperitif or dinner. There is a table, surrounded by chairs and two comfortable multiposition loungers. The terrace is equipped with a shaded area if necessary thanks to the presence of a large umbrella equipped with solar lights for the evening. From the terrace, you can enjoy a privileged and spectacular view of the hill and the Murgia, a surprising landscape formed by a mosaic of trees and plants of oak, thorny oak, holm oak, terebinth, olive, wild almonds, and different shrub species such as rhamnus, wild asparagus, dog rose, hawthorn, blackthorn, pear, etc. At the base of this mosaic is a clearing with grassy edges, composed of grasses such as the Mediterranean poodle, the feather grass and many species of flowers such as calendula, iris, blue-pearl grass, chrysanthemums, cistus, alkanna, anemones, periwinkle, borage, pratoline, wild saffron, multiple varieties of orchids and medicinal plants such as thyme, wild fennel, mint and wild oregano, savory, pimpinella, wild mustard, mallow, helichrysum, rue etc. etc. ;) In the land of almost seven hectares there is also a lamia in which a young oak forest has taken home with dense undergrowth of spiny oak, pungitope, hawthorn and pruning, practically impenetrable. The house is ideal for recharging batteries, enjoying the surrounding nature, taking long walks or even exploring outdoor activities such as cycling and hiking. So you reconnect to nature, enjoying at the same time all the necessary comforts for a pleasant and relaxing stay. Guest access In addition to the apartment with a private terrace and independent entrance, you will have shared access to the garden. Here you will find a shaded area for meals, a barbecue and an area under the trees with hammocks to relax. At dinner, on mild evenings, you will enjoy a magical atmosphere created by the starry sky and the light of the garlands that glides from the branches of the cypress trees above. In the front part of the house, there is a large parking lot for your vehicle. La Casa del Menhir is ideally located less than two kilometers from the center of Cassano delle Murge. All shops, restaurants and cafes can be reached in less than 5 minutes by car or on foot and by bicycle along the cycle path (cycle path of the Apulian aqueduct) that passes a few meters from the house. Other things to note Cassano delle Murge is a small agricultural town that is part of the Alta Murgia National Park. The municipality is known for the presence of a large forest in its territory, the Mercadante Forest. In addition, it is among the municipalities that host the Cammino Materano and the Apulian Aqueduct Cycle Route. Both routes pass a few meters from the Casa del Menhir. The town is in a strategic location for visiting different places in the region. It is located halfway between the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea. Beaches such as Polignano or Monopoli on the Adriatic and Castellaneta Marina on the Ionian can be reached in 40 minutes by car. Bari, the capital, is a 25-minute drive away (30 km), while Palese airport is 35 minutes away. Nearby, in addition to the magnificent natural sites such as the forest and the Park, it is worth visiting Matera, Altamura, Gravina and Laterza. Alberobello and the Itria Valley are about a 40-minute drive. Being in the center of the region allows you to easily reach both the north and south of it and return in the evening. Registration Details IT072016C200106684