After years of studying and working around the world I decide to return to my "sleeping beauty": Nardò; city of art, full of palaces, towers, eclectic villas, castles, farms, monumental gardens, natural parks, over an area of 33 km, of which 23 km of coastline with a pristine and crystalline sea; a true melting pot between Greek, Roman, Norman, Spanish and French dominations.
I decide to restore the monumental buildings owned and open them to culture and share the "beauty" with the most demanding traveller. Thus was born the first Albergo Diffuso in the Nereto area, which offers its guests the opportunity to stay in the splendid rooms rich in history, of the three buildings, inhabited in the past by numerous illustrious figures of the aristocracy of the Kingdom of Naples, the Two Sicilies and the ecclesiastical world.
The traveler has the opportunity to dine in the excellent restaurant of the Chateaux Hotel Collection chain, discovering the flavors of Salento, accompanied by the panoramic view of the palace terraces with the Mignano (baroque balcony which allowed women to attend the various street rites without being seen ); or admire, and on occasion purchase the works of art from the temporary and permanent exhibition in the magnificent rooms of the Santa Teresa monastery, adorned with sculptures by Maria Giovanni Tarantino, one of the precursors of Baroque art. On the main floor of the Sambiasi palace - former Santa Teresa monastery, in the large frescoed rooms, you can get lost in reading an interesting book from the international library. The most demanding travelers can stay in the deluxe rooms with access to the garden with citrus grove and private pool. Antonello Rizzello, President and founder of the Neretine Historic Houses, organizes numerous cultural events and guided tours among the noble palaces, castles, noble and eclectic villas, farms and secret gardens.