Basilica di Santa Croce

Lu sule, lu mare and lu ientu: how many times have you heard these three words associated with the wonderful Salento? Well I will tell you that the sun, the sea and the wind are three things that strongly characterize this land, but there is much more. Between crystal clear sea, good food, baroque cities and thousand-year-old villages, it has always been a magical land! Salento, the region that forms the heel of the Italian boot, is bathed by the Ionian Sea to the west and the Adriatic Sea to the east and also boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. If you are planning your holidays in Salento and are looking for advice on how to best organize your trip, you are in the right place! In this guide you will find lots of advice: 🗓️Best Time to visit 🚊Transportations 🏨 Where to stay 🏛️What to visit ☕️cafés 🍽️restaurants 🍹cocktail bar and beach clubs 🎒excursions and activities ✨unusual places 📌10 day itinerary The main stages of the itinerary are: -Lecce -Torre dell'Orso -Otranto -Santa Cesarea Terme -Castro -Santa Maria di Leuca -Marina di Pescoluse -Gallipoli -Porto Cesareo During the journey from one stop to another there will be many other unmissable places and breathtaking beaches!

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