Magazine

Breath & wellbeing Breathwork in Lecce and Salento: One-to-One Sessions and Circles 25 Minutes from the City Looking for breathwork in Lecce? 25 minutes from the city, at Masseria Montanari in Carpignano Salentino, one-to-one rebirthing sessions, breathing circles and functional breathing with Davide, breath coach. How to get there, what to choose, how much it costs. Read the article → Breath & wellbeing The Breathing Circle at the Masseria: How a Group Session Works in Salento What a breathing circle is and how it unfolds at Masseria Montanari, near Lecce: rhythmic breathing with music, breath holds, release, silence and sharing. Who it is for, what to bring, how much it costs, when it takes place. Read the article → Breath & wellbeing Learning to Breathe: the Three Habits that Change Your Everyday Breath Functional breathing explained simply: why most of us breathe badly, the three habits that change everything (nose, slowness, diaphragm), how to train them, and the sessions to learn to breathe at the masseria in Salento, near Lecce. Read the article → Breath & wellbeing Rebirthing, Breathwork, Pranayama: the Differences Explained Simply Breathwork, rebirthing, connected breathing, holotropic, pranayama, functional breathing: what they are, how they differ, which to choose. A clear map to find your way, and the three doors of the breath at the masseria in Salento. Read the article → Breath & wellbeing Rebirthing in Salento: Sessions at a Masseria near Lecce, Maglie and Otranto Where to do rebirthing in Salento: one-to-one conscious connected breathing sessions with Davide, breath coach, in the vaulted hall of Masseria Montanari in Carpignano, 25 minutes from Lecce. How it works, how long it lasts, distances, indicative prices. Read the article → Breath & wellbeing Conscious Connected Breathing: What It Is, What You Feel and How It Differs from Rebirthing Conscious connected breathing explained simply: breathing without pauses, what happens in the body, what you feel, the differences from rebirthing, holotropic breathing and pranayama, who it is for and who it is not for. With sessions at a masseria in Salento. Read the article → Breath & wellbeing Breath and the Nervous System: Why the Way You Breathe Changes How You Feel How the rhythm of the breath speaks to the autonomic nervous system: short breath and alarm, slow breath and regulation, what changes with a practice done well, what not to promise. The foundation of every breathwork session at the masseria in Salento. Read the article → Breath & wellbeing Emotional Release through Breathing: What Really Happens in a Session Why people cry, laugh and shake during a breathwork session: emotional release explained without mysticism, what a serious facilitator does, what to take home, and the limits to respect. Rebirthing sessions at the masseria in Salento. Read the article → Breath & wellbeing A Breathwork Retreat in Salento, Puglia: Two Nights at a Masseria with Rebirthing and Circles The breathwork weekend at Masseria Montanari, near Lecce: two nights at the masseria in exclusive use for 10-14 people, with breathing circles, one one-to-one rebirthing session each, functional breathing in the morning and evenings under the olive trees. Programme, costs, seasons. Read the article → Energy & stars Astrologer in Salento: In-Person Consultations near Lecce, or Online Looking for an astrologer in Lecce or Salento? Valentina's consultations take place at the masseria in Carpignano or online: how it works, what you need, how long it lasts, how to write to her. Read the article → Towns & area Large Holiday Home for Big Families in Salento: A Masseria with 6 Independent Units Looking for a large holiday home for a big or extended family in Salento? A 1700s masseria with 6 independent units and up to 16 sleeping places: together, but each with their own front door. The guide to planning a holiday that works for everyone. Read the article → Companies & team building Murder Mystery Dinner at a Masseria in Salento: the Most Requested Team Building Evening How the murder mystery dinner works at Masseria Montanari, in Carpignano Salentino: a script written to measure and set in the masseria, dinner over the fire, one group in exclusive use. For companies, teams and groups of friends. From 95 € per person. Read the article → Energy & stars Moon Circle in Salento: What It Is and How to Take Part The moon circle at the masseria in Carpignano: a monthly two-hour gathering with guided breathing, group Reiki, a reading of the sky and sharing. Open to everyone. Read the article → Energy & stars Astrology Consultation: What to Expect and What You Receive How a serious astrology consultation works: what you need beforehand, the 75-90 minute meeting online or in person, what you receive afterwards, how much it costs in Italy. Read the article → Energy & stars Integrated Energy Consultation: Reiki and Natal Chart Together Two hours in which the reading of the natal chart shows where to look and Reiki works where it is needed: how it unfolds, who it is for, what you receive. At the masseria in Salento. Read the article → Towns & area Where to stay in Melpignano and nearby: a practical guide Looking for a place to stay in Melpignano for the Notte della Taranta, or to discover the Grecìa Salentina? An honest guide from people who live here: the towns around, when to book, and the masseria ten minutes away with 6 apartments and a garden. Read the article → Events & retreats Where to celebrate in Carpignano Salentino: a local's guide Birthdays, family parties and ceremonies in Carpignano Salentino and the Grecìa Salentina: the town's festivals, the two ways to organise a private party, and the masseria with its vaulted hall and free choice of catering. Read the article → Towns & area Family Reunion Venue in Puglia, Italy: A Whole Masseria for Your Gathering A family reunion in Italy, in the land of your roots or simply somewhere beautiful: a 1700s masseria for your exclusive use, 6 independent units, sleeps up to 16. The guide to actually organising it. Read the article → Culture & traditions The Fòcara of Novoli: Italy's Giant Bonfire and Where to Stay The largest bonfire in the Mediterranean burns in Novoli on 16-18 January for Sant'Antonio Abate: what the Fòcara is, how to experience it and where to stay nearby, the practical guide. Read the article → Towns & area Kosher-Friendly Self-Catering Masseria in Puglia (Not Certified): How It Works Not a certified kosher property, but thoughtfully suited to Jewish groups: 6 independent kitchens for managing meals autonomously, exclusive use for Shabbat privacy, free choice of outside catering. What we offer and what we do not, honestly. Read the article → Events & retreats Easter and Easter Monday at a Masseria in Puglia: The Barbecue Tradition Easter Monday in Salento is a ritual: the open-air barbecue with family and friends. How to spend Easter and Easter Monday at a masseria in exclusive use, barbecue, garden, indoor hall and 16 sleeping places. Read the article → Events & retreats How Much a 20-Guest Wedding in Puglia Really Costs The honest maths of a small wedding in Salento: a traditional reception hall with a per-head price versus a rented masseria with free choice of catering. The cost items, the real numbers and where the money actually goes. Read the article → Companies & team building How Much a Team Building in Puglia Costs: the Real Numbers, Format by Format Team building prices in Puglia explained without reticence: what agencies, resorts and masserie charge, what is included and what is not, and the three formats of Masseria Montanari in Salento: an evening from 95 €, a half day from 135 €, a full day from 180 €. Read the article → Energy & stars Reiki: What It Is, How a Session Works and What You Feel What really happens in a one-hour Reiki session: what you feel, what you do not have to do, what Reiki is not (it is not a therapy) and how to recognise a serious practitioner. Read the article → Energy & stars Reiki Is Not a Therapy: What It Can Do and When Not to Do It An honest guide to Reiki: what research and Italian Law 4/2013 say, the signs of a serious practitioner and the cases in which it is better to talk to your doctor first. Read the article → Energy & stars Where to Receive Reiki near Lecce, Maglie and Otranto: the Masseria Reiki in Salento, near Lecce, Maglie and Otranto: the vaulted hall of Masseria Montanari, the formats, the distances and the chance to stay the night. Read the article → Energy & stars Breathwork and Reiki in the Same Day: How It Works The breath and energy day at the masseria: functional breathing in the morning, group Reiki and a circle in the afternoon. Programme, who it is for, what to bring. Read the article → Events & retreats Vow Renewal in Puglia: An Intimate Celebration at a Masseria in Salento Where and how to renew your vows in Salento: a symbolic ceremony in the garden of a 1700s masseria, the long table in the vaulted hall, 16 sleeping places for those who stay. The complete guide, ideas included. Read the article → Events & retreats Women's Retreat Venue in Italy: An Exclusive-Use Masseria in Salento Looking for a space for a women's retreat or a women's circle? A 1700s masseria all for your group: 55 m² vaulted hall, garden, 16 sleeping places, kitchen. The guide for facilitators and organisers. Read the article → Events & retreats Winter Retreats in Salento: The Right Season for Deep Work Why to organise a yoga, holistic or breathwork retreat in Salento between November and March: real silence, a heated vaulted hall, low-season prices and a masseria open all year round. The guide for organisers. Read the article → Culture & traditions Autumn and Winter Festivals in Salento: The Calendar From San Martino to the Fòcara of Novoli: the calendar of Salento's festivals from November to March, new wine, pittule, living nativity scenes and bonfires, with advice on where to stay. Read the article → Itineraries Salento in Winter: What to Do, Where to Go and Why It's a Secret Golden, empty villages, the winter sea, fireplaces, festivals and slow living: a local's guide to Salento from October to March, the secret season, with the masseria open all year round. Read the article → Culture & traditions San Martino in Salento: New Wine, Chestnuts and a Masseria Feast On 11 November Salento uncorks the new wine: what the feast of San Martino is, how it is celebrated between wineries and long tables, and how to live it at a masseria, with the countryside in its most flavourful month. Read the article → Companies & team building Corporate Retreat in Puglia: Why Companies Choose Salento and How to Plan It Planning a corporate retreat or company offsite in Puglia: Valle d'Itria or Salento, hotel or masseria in exclusive use, how to get there from Milan, Paris and Brussels, the real costs and a two-day programme at Masseria Montanari, 25 minutes from Lecce. Read the article → Companies & team building Team Building near Lecce: an Evening, a Half Day or a Full Day at a Masseria Looking for a team building venue near Lecce? 25 minutes from the city, a 1700s masseria in exclusive use with three formats: an evening from 95 €, a half day from 135 €, the Full Experience from 180 € per person. How it works. Read the article → Energy & stars Natal Chart: What It Is, How to Read It and Why It Is Not a Horoscope The natal chart explained calmly: what it is, which data you need, planets, signs, houses and aspects, how it is really read and what it can give you. Consultations at the masseria or online. Read the article → Towns & area Multigenerational Villa Holiday in Puglia: A Masseria for Three Generations Grandparents, parents and children on the same holiday without stepping on each other's toes: how to organise a multigenerational stay in Salento, and why a masseria with 6 independent units is the format that works. Read the article → Towns & area Dog-Friendly Farmhouse in Salento, Puglia: How It Works at Our Masseria Dogs welcome in all 6 apartments, a big garden and open countryside all around: the masseria's clear policy (€20 per dog per stay), season-by-season advice and the dog-friendly beaches nearby. Read the article → Energy & stars Energy Weekend in Puglia: Two Nights at a Masseria The energy weekend in Salento: from Friday to Sunday, 12-16 people, masseria in exclusive use with 16 sleeping places. Programme, who sleeps where, seasons, costs. Read the article → Companies & team building Workation in Salento for Small Teams: a Masseria as Your Office for a Week A week of working and living together in Salento for teams of 6 to 16: a 1700s masseria in exclusive use, Wi-Fi, the vaulted hall as your meeting room, kitchens, 16 sleeping places, 25 minutes from Lecce. How to organise it and what it costs. Read the article → Breath & wellbeing Breathwork: What It Is, How It Works and Why Everyone Is Talking About It Conscious work on the breath explained simply: what breathwork means, the three doors (functional breathing, rhythmic breathing circles, rebirthing), what to expect from a session, who it is for and who it is not for. Sessions at the masseria in Salento. Read the article → Breath & wellbeing Breathing Course in Lecce and Salento: Learning to Breathe in Four Meetings A breathing course near Lecce: the cycle of four meetings to learn to breathe well with Davide, breath coach, at Masseria Montanari in Carpignano Salentino. What you learn, how it works, who it is for, how much it costs, and the evening breathing circles. Read the article → Breath & wellbeing Rebirthing Breathwork: What to Expect from a Session and the Contraindications What rebirthing is, how a one-to-one conscious connected breathing session unfolds, what you really feel, and above all the contraindications a serious facilitator tells you about beforehand. Sessions by appointment at the masseria in Salento, near Lecce. Read the article → Breath & wellbeing Functional Breathing: What It Is, How to Train It and Why It Is the Base of Everything Functional breathing explained simply: breathing through the nose, slowly, with the diaphragm. What it means, how it is measured, how to train it in a few weeks, who needs it and why it is the door to start from before any intense practice. Sessions at the masseria in Salento. Read the article → Events & retreats Christening, first communion and confirmation in a Salento masseria: room rental, free catering The alternative to the restaurant for christenings, first communions and confirmations: rent the vaulted hall and the garden, bring your trusted caterer or use the kitchen. The party is yours, you decide the budget. With practical advice. Read the article → Events & retreats Graduation party at a masseria near Lecce: rent the hall, bring your own catering An alternative to booking a venue for your graduation party: 25 minutes from Lecce, rent the vaulted hall and garden of an 18th-century masseria, bring your trusted catering or cook yourself. You decide how much to spend. Read the article → Events & retreats Reception hall in Carpignano Salentino: the alternative with free choice of catering In Carpignano Salentino there are two ways to celebrate: the full-service reception and the simple rental. A stone vaulted hall, a garden and free choice of catering: how it works, who it is for and how to choose. Read the article → Itineraries Rent an Entire Masseria in Salento: Sleeps 16, Exclusive Use Renting a whole masseria in the Salento for groups and families: 6 independent units, 16 sleeping places, a vaulted hall and garden in exclusive use, from 500 € a day, 20 minutes from Otranto. Read the article → Events & retreats New Year's Eve 2027 at a masseria in Salento: a party with the whole place to yourselves Dinner on your own schedule, rooms for everyone and the quiet of the countryside: New Year's Eve at a Salento masseria in exclusive use. How it works, a sample plan, clear prices and when to book. Read the article → Events & retreats A birthday at a masseria in Salento: a garden party without the hassle Renting a hall for birthdays and private parties in Salento: why a masseria in exclusive use, with a garden, a barbecue and no closing time, beats a venue in town. Plus our tips for planning it. Read the article → Itineraries Where to Stay in Carpignano Salentino: A Local's Guide Rooms, apartments and a whole masseria in Carpignano Salentino: where to stay in the village of the Byzantine crypt, in the heart of the Grecìa Salentina, 20 minutes from Otranto. Read the article → Itineraries Where to stay in the Grecìa Salentina: the honest guide Agriturismo, relais or holiday home? An honest guide to choosing where to stay in the Grecìa Salentina, the Greek heart of Salento: villages, types of accommodation, prices and real advice. Read the article → Events & retreats 50th Birthday Venue in Puglia: The Milestone Party at a Masseria Where to celebrate a 40th, 50th or 60th birthday in Puglia: an exclusive-use masseria in Salento with a garden, a stone vaulted hall and 16 sleeping places so your guests can stay over. Ideas, a plan and plain-spoken costs. Read the article → Companies & team building Corporate Retreat in Puglia: How to Organise a Company Offsite in a Masseria (Practical Guide) How to organise a corporate retreat or company offsite in Puglia: why an exclusive-use masseria, what you actually need (meeting room, accommodation, spaces), logistics and costs to consider. Read the article → Events & retreats How to organize a yoga retreat in Puglia: the guide for teachers Season, location, accommodation, food, schedule and budget: the practical guide for teachers and organizers who want to run a yoga or holistic retreat in Salento. Read the article → Towns & area Menhirs and dolmens of Salento: the megaliths of Grecìa Salentina Stones standing for millennia in the middle of the countryside: a guide to the menhirs and dolmens of Salento, from Giurdignano to the menhir of Martano, where to find them, how to visit and what they tell us. Read the article → Events & retreats Detox and fasting retreat at a masseria: how it works and what you need What a detox or fasting retreat is, how a day is structured, what the venue needs to offer and how to organize it safely: the guide for organizers, with a Salento masseria as the setting. Read the article → Events & retreats A retreat in the Greek heart of Salento: Grecìa Salentina Why hold a retreat in Grecìa Salentina, the griko heart of Salento: authentic inland countryside, silence, Greek villages and a masseria in exclusive use, far from the crowded coast. The organiser's guide. Read the article → Companies & team building Team building at a masseria in Salento: ideas and experiences that work Why an offsite at a masseria beats a hotel meeting room: spaces, activities, Salento cooking, a tried-and-tested two-day agenda and team building ideas in the heart of Salento, in exclusive use. Read the article → Sea & beaches Baia dei Turchi: How to Reach Otranto's Most Iconic Beach Walk-in access through the pine forest, where to park, the name's link to the 1480 landing and honest tips: your guide to Baia dei Turchi, near Otranto. Read the article → Towns & area The Most Beautiful Villages in Salento: Where to Go and Why Specchia, Presicce, Corigliano d'Otranto, Otranto and the Grecìa villages: Salento's most beautiful borghi, with honest tips on when and how to visit. Read the article → Sea & beaches Porto Cesareo & Punta Prosciutto: Salento's Caribbean Sea White sand, shallow crystal-clear water, dunes and a marine protected area: a guide to Porto Cesareo and Punta Prosciutto, Salento's most 'Caribbean' beaches. Read the article → Culture & traditions Salento Sagre: Where to Eat Real Village Food in Puglia Octopus, snails, pizzica and new wine: Salento's village food festivals — including Carpignano's own — where you eat like (and with) the locals. Read the article → Towns & area Santa Maria di Leuca: Where Two Seas Meet in Salento The De Finibus Terrae sanctuary, the lighthouse, 19th-century villas and sea caves: what to see in Santa Maria di Leuca, at the very tip of Salento. Read the article → Sea & beaches Torre dell'Orso & Grotta della Poesia: Legendary Sea A perfect sandy bay between two headlands, the Due Sorelle sea stacks and the natural pool of Grotta della Poesia at Roca: your guide to a unique coastline. Read the article → Sea & beaches Torre Sant'Andrea: Sea Stacks, Coves and Salento's Most Scenic Coast White sea stacks, natural rock arches and coves made for snorkelling: a guide to Torre Sant'Andrea, the most scenic stretch of Salento's Adriatic coast, with practical tips for making the most of it. Read the article → Itineraries Getting to Salento: Flights, Airports and Travel Tips Brindisi and Bari airports, trains to Lecce, driving and car hire: the complete practical guide to reaching Salento and our masseria in Carpignano. Read the article → Culture & traditions What Is a Masseria? History and Charm of Salento's Farmhouses From fortified farm estates to charming holiday homes: what a masseria really is and why staying in one is the most authentic way to experience Puglia. Read the article → Events & retreats Family Celebrations at a Masseria: Birthdays & More Where to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or christening in Salento: an exclusive-use 18th-century masseria with a vaulted hall and garden. How it works. Read the article → Towns & area Galatina: Frescoes, Tarantate and the Home of Pasticciotto The frescoed Basilica of Santa Caterina, the tarantate's chapel of San Paolo and the original pasticciotto: what to see in Galatina, in the heart of Salento. Read the article → Towns & area Gallipoli: What to See in the Old Town and Beaches The old town on its island, the castle, underground oil mills and the Baia Verde beaches: what to see in Gallipoli, the 'beautiful city' of the Ionian. Read the article → Towns & area Lecce in One Day: What to See in the Baroque Capital Santa Croce, Piazza del Duomo, the castle and the Roman amphitheatre: a walking itinerary for Lecce in one day, half an hour from our masseria in Salento. Read the article → Culture & traditions Legends of Salento: Goblins, Mermaids and Stone Stories The scazzamurieddhu, the macare witches, the mermaid of Leuca, the Due Sorelle sea stacks: Salento's most beautiful legends and where to find them. Read the article → Events & retreats Intimate Masseria Wedding in Salento: Exclusive-Use Venue Micro-weddings and anniversaries in a 1700s masseria reserved just for you: the spaces, the formula, a sample day and how exclusive use works in Salento. Read the article → Events & retreats Yoga Retreats in Puglia: Why a Masseria Is the Ideal Venue Looking for a yoga, wellness or holistic retreat venue in Salento? An exclusive-use masseria: practice spaces, silence, lodging and a guide for organisers. Read the article → Itineraries Salento in 7 Days: The Perfect Itinerary from the Inland A week-long Salento itinerary based inland: sea, villages, Lecce and Otranto, switching between both coasts with no long drives. With family variations and practical advice. Read the article → Itineraries Salento with Kids: The Honest Family Holiday Guide Shallow sandy beaches, child-friendly outings, farm animals and slow rhythms: an honest guide to a family holiday in Salento, Puglia. Read the article → Itineraries Salento with Your Dog: Dog-Friendly Stays & Travel Tips Holidays in Salento with your dog: a farmhouse that truly welcomes them, dog-friendly beaches, heat advice, local rules and practical tips for travelling together. Read the article → Itineraries Slow Salento: A Holiday to Escape the Chaos and Unwind Quiet places, silence, countryside and days without a clock: a guide to slow travel in Salento, for anyone seeking real rest far from the crowds. Read the article → Towns & area Rural Salento: the Authentic Inland of Olive Groves Dry-stone walls, pajare huts, centuries-old olive trees, markets and villages: a journey into rural inland Salento, the authentic countryside most tourists never see. Read the article → Sea & beaches Adriatic or Ionian? Choosing the Right Coast in Salento Salento's two coasts compared: cliffs and crystal-clear water on the Adriatic, white sand and shallow seas on the Ionian. Beaches, winds and tips. Read the article → Culture & traditions Salento Food Guide: What to Eat in Puglia's Salento Pasticciotto, puccia, pittule, orecchiette, ciceri e tria and the great Negroamaro and Primitivo wines: a guide to the authentic flavours of Salento, with advice on where to find them and what to bring home. Read the article → Sea & beaches Alimini Lakes: Beach, Nature and Lakes near Otranto Fine sand, shallow water, pine woods and two protected lakes: the complete guide to the Alimini Lakes near Otranto — how to get there, parking and tips. Read the article → Towns & area Otranto: What to See in Italy's Easternmost Town The Aragonese Castle, the Tree of Life mosaic, the Punta Palascìa lighthouse and the bauxite quarry: what to see in Otranto, the Adriatic gem 20 minutes from the masseria, with practical tips. Read the article → Itineraries Best Time to Visit Salento: a Month-by-Month Guide Sea, weather, crowds and prices: an honest guide to the best time to visit Salento, month by month, with the events worth marking in your calendar and advice for every kind of trip. Read the article → Towns & area Carpignano Salentino: Byzantine Crypt and Hidden Village Steps from the masseria, Carpignano Salentino keeps a crypt with some of Salento's oldest and most precious Byzantine frescoes. The history, the village, the Festa te lu Mieru and the surroundings. Read the article → Towns & area Grecìa Salentina: What to See in Salento's Greek Heart Stone villages, flower-filled courtyards, castles and a living ancient Greek tongue: discover Grecìa Salentina, Salento's most authentic soul, minutes from the farmhouse. Read the article → Culture & traditions Griko: the Ancient Greek Language Still Spoken in Salento A language of Greek origin still alive in Salento's villages: history, words, songs and where to hear Griko, the heritage of the Grecìa Salentina. Read the article → Culture & traditions Notte della Taranta 2026: Dates, Towns and Where to Stay Near Melpignano Dates, the Concertone and practical tips for the Notte della Taranta 2026 in Melpignano — plus where to stay minutes away, in the Grecìa Salentina. Read the article → Sea & beaches The Best Shallow-Water Beaches in Salento for Kids and Families Porto Cesareo, Punta Prosciutto, Alimini: the Salento beaches with shallow water and soft sand where kids can play safely, picked by people who live here, with tips on when to go. Read the article → Culture & traditions Tarantism and Pizzica: The Women Bitten by the Spider The true story of Salento's tarantism: women bitten by the taranta spider, healed by the pizzica dance, and the roots of the Notte della Taranta. Read the article →