Quanto Basta

Salento is the southernmost part of Puglia. It is the heel of the boot, and is situated between two seas: the Adriatic to the east and the Ionian to the west. You might have heard of places such as Lecce, Gallipoli, and Otranto, which are all cute towns found here! I’ve grown up spending all my summers with my family in Puglia, as half of my them are from here. Although we spend most of our time in Centrale Puglia we always make sure to enjoy at least a week in the Salento area. It has some of my favourite beaches, and I can't wait for you to discover them! From sandy shores with beach clubs to rocky coves perfect for cliff jumping and exploring, there's something for everyone. Over the years, I've fallen in love with the local foods and ingredients, and I'm super excited to share them with you in this guide. Think of this as your starter pack for all things you should experience when traveling in Salento. I'll share the hidden gems I've found, from tiny towns to stunning beaches, and of course, the best spots to eat and drink. Whether you're visiting for the first time or you're a seasoned traveler, this guide will help you make the most of your Salento adventure.

Known as "the Florence of southern Italy," Lecce is gorgeously baroque around every corner! This historic city begs to be wandered in the quiet morning. It makes for a great base if you want to explore the Salento region or spend days at the beach and evenings in a small historic gem. In this guide, you’ll get: - 15 of the must-see spots in town, including my favorite shop for souvenirs! - the best tours of Lecce if you want a guide (walking tour and food tour editions) - 12 restaurants at varying price points - 5 coffee bars, enoteca, or cocktail bars - the best gelato in town - 5 beach day trips, including which are car or train accessible - the major sights with notes on what’s worth seeing and if they need advanced booking - an interactive map to help navigate you to each spot - recommendations on typical dishes to order

While Italy is synonymous with the delightful tradition of Aperitivo, its cocktail scene is a whole other world waiting to be explored. As a seasoned traveller who appreciates a perfectly crafted drink (and the friendly chat with the bartender that often comes with it), I've had the pleasure of discovering countless incredible cocktail bars across the country. Whether it's a new city I'm visiting or a familiar favourite I'm revisiting, Italy never disappoints. Lucky for me, Northern Italy is my home base, and it boasts a high concentration of exceptional options. However, the South holds its own when it comes to fantastic cocktail experiences (with Rome leading the charge) This guide represents my curated list of the best-of-the-best, a culmination of expert experiences and the occasional repeat visit for quality assurance (yes, sometimes a second or third try is necessary!). Italy, after all, is the birthplace of iconic cocktail ingredients like Vermouth, Campari, and Aperol. But its treasure trove extends far beyond, with gems like St. Germain, Amaro, Grappa, Amaretto, Limoncello, and the hospitality worker's secret weapon - Fernet.