When to go to Salento

The Salento area boasts a very broad tourist offer that manages to satisfy all types of tourism (seaside, spa, food and wine, short weekends, youth, etc.). A well-known tourist destination in recent years it has become one of the most sought-after destinations in Europe, above all for the sea often compared to the Maldives, but also for the hospitality of the local people. Good food is also an attraction of Puglia, especially the excellent wine is renowned. Having said that, then, when is the best time to go to Salento? The answer is…it depends.

Summer

Summer is naturally the best time if we want to spend a holiday dedicated to the sea, the sun, the beaches, where the most famous Salento resorts are filled with tourists from all over the world, where it is difficult to get bored thanks also to the rich calendar of events and festivals present throughout the territory. In this period, if you love relaxing on the beach, it is recommended to come to Salento in the months of June or September, also saving on the price of hotels, flights and car rental, as the months of July and August are usually crowded with limited availability and related prices; It is always advisable to book these services well in advance.

Furthermore, in summer there are countless activities in the various seaside areas, such as boat rental and tours, kayaking, diving and snorkeling for enthusiasts. Even simply walking through the streets of Otranto, after spending a day on the beach, among the countless shops in the historic center, or enjoying an excellent dinner in the historic center of Gallipoli.

Furthermore, in summer, for some years now, Gallipoli has been one of the most popular destinations for young people from all over Europe looking for fun. In fact, there are numerous beaches that offer music and aperitifs during the day, but it is at night that this city begins to shine, with its discos and nightlife where there is no shortage of ways to spend time until the first light of the morning.

Winter

If, however, we are looking for a holiday or a week-end dedicated to relaxation, good food and tranquility, even in these months Salento can be an excellent destination, thanks above all to the winters which are never particularly cold and the mild climate even in autumn. It is possible, for example, to visit Lecce, the Baroque capital full of particular architectural treasures, taste the numerous typical dishes, or organize the increasingly popular tours of the various cellars to taste the renowned Apulian wines.

Taking advantage of the milder climate, you can visit the nearby Valle d’Itria, which with its fabulous farms, trulli and historic centres, boasts being among the favorite destinations of many Italian and non-Italian celebrities. Also worth mentioning is the nearby Zoo Safari di Fasano, which with its 140 hectares and 200 different species, boasts being the largest wildlife park in Italy and among the largest in the world.

During the Christmas period, Salento is enriched with events and festivals, almost like the summer period, thanks to the numerous living nativity scenes scattered throughout the territory, monumental nativity scenes, including the most famous one created inside the Roman amphitheater in Lecce and of the markets, full of local artistic artefacts in Lecce stone, papier-mâché or ceramic.

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Salento gastronomy represents a clear example of a Mediterranean diet and is the result of the natural selection and elaboration of the eating habits of the various colonizers who took turns. It is a peasant gastronomic tradition that uses poor ingredients such as legumes, vegetables, cheeses, very little meat and oily fish. Unique and genuine flavors that arise from simple products, the fruit of the crystalline seas and the fantastic red soil of Salento. Cultivated with passion for decades and combined with each other with the typically Salento imagination, capable of enhancing every characteristic without ever becoming too elaborate. In this section you will find the typical dishes of Puglia:

• first courses: typical of this region are the famous orecchiette, prepared in different ways and with different seasonings; among these the most famous are turnip tops.
• second courses: here you will find recipes based on meat and fish. Puglia feels a strong bond with the sea and this also emerges in the typical cuisine, in particular the use of mussels is often present in the preparation of first and second courses.
• desserts: here you will find the desserts most loved by people from Puglia and beyond, many of which are present in the village festivals of many municipalities in this region as well as prepared for the Christmas holidays.
• various dishes: this is a somewhat varied section which includes not only precious ingredients for the preparation of many recipes but also appetizers and starters to enjoy during an aperitif or lunch break.

With the growing influx of Italian and foreign tourists who every year choose Salento as a holiday destination and with the advent of low-cost flights which have changed the way of travelling, the Province of Lecce has created a excellent service. Salento by Bus, with its widespread network, reaches the most famous seaside and non-seaside locations, as well as small towns, making travel simple for those who decide not to use their own vehicle or taxi.

For more information, connect to the link on the official page.

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Once you arrive Brindisi, if you don’t rent a car, the most convenient and fastest solution is to book a transfer from Brindisi Airport to your hotel/accommodation, which at a cost slightly higher than traditional public transport will take you directly to your destination.

Savelletri is a small village in the province of Fasano, a destination for numerous tourists looking for a quiet but extraordinarily beautiful place in which to spend their holidays. The town is home to the Marina, where around 300 boats are docked and around which many farms have been renovated and used as holiday homes, bed & breakfasts or hotels, a way for tourists to breathe in the traditions of the past of these places and these buildings but in a comfortable and elegant key given by the modern furnishings and the numerous five-star services offered by the innkeepers.

The Savelletri masserie (farms) are increasingly appreciated even by VIPs who choose them as wonderful locations for their wedding or as a comfortable and luxurious “refuge” to take a break from their hectic lives and professional commitments. This was the perfect setting for many celebrity weddings such as the one between the singer Justin Timberlake and the actress Jessica Biel; that of the daughter of the rich American real estate developer Jeff Sutton, Renee or of the rich Indians Ritika Agawarl and Rohan Metha.

Many sportsmen from our country also got married here: the football player Giandomenico Mesto with the showgirl Sara Facciolini; the AC Milan footballer Ignazio Abate with his partner Valentina Del Vecchio and the tennis players Flavia Pennetta and Fabio Fognini. Internationally famous footballers, athletes, actors and musicians spend their holidays here: Marco Van Basten, Noel Gallagher, Maria Sharapova, Madonna (who always celebrates her birthday there), the Beckham family and even Barack Obama.

Beaches

The beaches of Savelletri are suitable for anyone looking for relaxation and entertainment for their summer: the sand allows you to enjoy the holiday with the little ones but even for the younger ones there will be no shortage of fun with the many happy hours organized at the beaches. Here, the sea is one of the many prides of this land, certified 4 sails by Lega Ambiente and Bandiera Blu (Blue Flag).

The beaches equipped with umbrellas and sunbeds are suitable for all those who want to relax and tan under the sun of this wonderful land, perhaps enjoying a cocktail, eating fresh fruit or tasting a typical octopus sandwich. Among the services offered by the managers there are boat tours (with the possibility of fishing) or dinghy rental, to explore the surrounding waters full of coves and deserted beaches.

There is also no shortage of water sports or experiences to do: parasailing (parachuting) which allows you to experience the incredible thrill of admiring the entire coast and the seabed from above, a sport suitable for the most daring and adrenaline-filled but, being able to do it even in as a couple, it can also become a romantic experience to live with your sweetheart; again, flyboarding, a water sport that allows those who practice it to perform extraordinary maneuvers on the water.

What to see in Savelletri

The small port is one of the most characteristic points of the town of Savelletri and from here you can admire the typical white houses, some of which have been used as fishmongers and others as charming restaurants where you can eat excellent traditional cuisine.

For all lovers of history and archaeology, not far from Savelletri, the Egnazia Archaeological Park is unmissable, where traces of human presence relating to the Middle Bronze Age and remains of the Roman Via Traiana have been found; then there is no shortage of necropolises, including the Tomba delle Melagrane (Tomb of the Pomegranates), so called because this fruit is found in frescoes in the upper part of the tomb.

For the entertainment of the little ones and to spend carefree hours in joy, you can reach the nearby Borgo Egnazia water park with its water slides.

Where to stay in Savelletri

For an unforgettable holiday experience, the ideal choice is to stay in one of the typical Savelletri farms, restored to best mix history and tradition with modernity and comfort.

These are five-star structures such as Masseria Torre Coccaro, equipped with rooms with a garden and all comforts as well as a splendid swimming pool with a beach effect (even if the sea is only 4 km away). There is also a wellness center and a restaurant that offers traditional and refined dishes (among other things, you can also take cooking courses with the chef).

Masseria Torre Maizza, located overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by an expanse of olive trees, is the right place to relax or practice sports such as tennis, horse riding, clay pigeon shooting but also golf due to its proximity to the San Domenico Golf Club 18 holes.

Again, Masseria Borgo Egnazia, a structure designed together with the architect and set designer Pino Brescia, entirely made of tuff, the local stone worked by master tufa workers, to combine rurality and simplicity with luxury and exclusivity. It is the ideal choice for staying with your families, being divided into apartments, villas and rooms, suitable for all needs. You can tan and have fun on the two private beaches or on board one of the four swimming pools (three outdoor and one heated indoor) or, again, dance in the ballroom, train on the tennis courts or go shopping in the mini shop . A plus will be being able to regenerate in what has been awarded as the “Best Wellness Spa in the World“, an elegant wellness center in which to rediscover your psychophysical well-being.

Mustazzuoli or mostaccioli are typical brown Apulian sweets of the Christmas period. Their origin is very ancient and the recipe is handed down from generation to generation. Although the original is prepared starting from vincotto, a grape must that can also be prepared with dried figs, over time various variations of this tasty sweet biscuit have spread which can also be prepared at home, to be enjoyed during Christmas holidays with all your loved ones, accompanied by a coffee, a herbal tea, a hot chocolate or a bitter.

The recipe

Difficulty: low

Quantity: 30 mustazzuoli

Ingredients:

• 1 kg of 00 flour
• 500 g of toasted almonds
• 100 g of extra virgin olive oil
• 10 g of ammonia for desserts
• 1 l of grape or fig vincotto
• 200 g of sugar
• 50 g of bitter cocoa powder
• lemon peels to taste

Method:

1. Coarsely chop the almonds.
2. Heat 200 ml of vincotto to which add the ammonia.
3. Sift the flour and cocoa through a sieve into a large bowl, then add the oil, sugar, grated lemon peel, the previously prepared vincotto and ammonia mixture and the remaining vincotto.
4. Knead all the ingredients on a pastry board until you obtain a homogeneous mixture and give it the shape of a large cylinder.
5. Cut the dough 5-6 centimeters long to give the mustazzuoli a diamond shape.
6. Cook the mustazzuoli for 15 minutes in a preheated oven at 200°.
7. Once cooled, the mustazzuoli can be enjoyed or stored in a tin or airtight container.

If you like, cinnamon or cloves can be added to the mustazzuoli dough to make them even more fragrant and spicy.

Variants of mustazzuoli

Mustazzuoli are often covered with a delicious chocolate icing which can be prepared very easily with:

• 200 g of sugar
• 100 g of dark chocolate
• 100 ml of water.

Simply melt the chocolate in a saucepan with water, then add the sugar and bring to the boil, stirring with a ladle. Leave the icing to cool so you can then brush it over the mustazzuoli.

Curiosities about apulian mustazzuoli

There are several regional variations of the mustazzuoli: in addition to Puglia, these desserts are also typical of Calabria (‘Nzuddha), Sardinia (Mustazzoleddus), Sicily (Mustazzoli), Campania (Mustaccioli), Lazio, Abruzzo and Lombardy .

Their name derives from the Latin word “mustum” that is “must” precisely because the first evidence of these desserts dates back to Roman times, where it was typical to offer them to guests before departure.

Even in Cato’s “De Agricoltura” he talks about “mustacei” and their preparation in detail.

Easter is approaching and one of the most famous and colorful desserts of the Apulian Easter tradition are scarcelle. They can be purchased at bakeries or pastry shops in many Apulian cities or prepared at home with poor ingredients, given that this was a dessert made in middle and low social class families, using eggs, flour, milk and oil. The peculiarity of Apulian scarcelle is that they can be given the shape you prefer (bunnies, doves and so on) and therefore it is pleasant to prepare them even in the company of your children.

Alternatively, for lovers of “pure” tradition, the classic shape is the donut or basket that “welcomes” hard-boiled eggs (another symbol par excellence of Easter). The flavor does not change, they will still be delicious and will enrich your Easter menu with a touch of color and sweetness.

The recipe for Apulian scarcelle

Ingredients for 8 Apulian scarcelle:

• 1 kg of 00 flour
• 300 g of sugar
• 2 eggs
• 200 g of whole milk
• 200 g of extra virgin olive oil
• baking powder (16 g)
• zest of 2 lemons

For the glaze:

• 100 g of egg whites
• 400 of icing sugar
• lemon juice

To decorate:

• 8 hard boiled eggs
• colored sprinkles

Method

1. Pour the flour, baking powder and granulated sugar onto a pastry board and create a well.
2. Add the grated lemon zest, the lightly beaten eggs and knead with your hands, slowly pouring in the oil and the milk until you create a homogeneous mixture which you can shape into a ball.
3. Leave the dough to rest for about 30 minutes covered with a kitchen towel.
4. While the dough is resting, you can boil the eggs to make them hard-boiled, then, when ready, let them cool.
5. Take the dough again after half an hour and divide it into approximately 24 portions and shape them into a loaf approximately 30 centimeters long.
6. Create a “braid” of dough by joining 3 strands of dough together, then join the two ends giving the typical donut shape, until you obtain 8 little pieces.
7. Place the scarcelle on a baking tray covered with baking paper and place the hard-boiled egg in the centre.
8. Cook in a preheated static oven at 180° for 50-55 minutes (or ventilated oven at 160° for 40-45 minutes).
9. Leave to cool and in the meantime prepare the icing with the beaten egg whites and lemon juice.
10. Once you have obtained a frothy mixture, add the icing sugar little by little.
11. When the icing takes on a creamy consistency, decorate the biscuits and cover with colored sprinkles or with your favorite food decorations (for example, you can add colored eggs or smarties or decorate with puppets such as chicks or bunnies).

The shells prepared in this way can be stored for 2 or 3 days under a glass bell jar.

Among the many wonders that the city of Lecce hosts, we cannot forget the Carlo V Castle, which stands a short distance from the famous Piazza Sant’Oronzo, a must-visit place for anyone who finds themselves in the splendid baroque city.

The castle is an imposing structure from the Norman age which has undergone various modifications and renovations over the centuries.

Legends and stories have been handed down about the castle which, in addition to making it a fascinating place to visit, shroud it in mystery.

The history of Carlo V Castle in Lecce

It owes its name to the Spanish sovereign Charles V who had it renovated in the 16th century: in fact its construction dates back to the 12th century AD. The renovation began precisely in 1537 and ended in 1553. It is precisely thanks to the renovation work carried out under Charles V that the castle became a fortress against enemy attacks, as it was enriched with new defensive works.

Obviously compared to the medieval structure, of which it preserves the trapezoidal plan, the Torre Mozza and the Torre Magistra, the castle was enlarged with new rooms and surrounded by a curtain wall which was connected to four bastions: of the Holy Trinity, of the Holy Cross, of San Martino and San Giacomo.

The legends about Carlo V Castle

As anticipated, the Charles V Castle is shrouded in mystery due to the many legends that have been handed down about this place. One of these claims that the ghosts of Maria d’Enghien and Giangiacomo dell’Acaya live in the basement of the fortress. The latter was the engineer responsible for the project of making the castle a fortress against enemy attacks. Unfortunately it is said that Giangiacomo ended his days right in the cells of the castle’s basement, after having acted as guarantor to a man who did not honor his debts. From that place, which he designed and built, he never saw the light of the sun again.

Regarding Maria d’Enghien, Queen of Naples, Princess of Taranto and Countess of Lecce, Soleto and Galatina, it is said that her spirit often returns to the castle where she lived during her lifetime.

Furthermore, there are those who confess to having heard the crying of a child coming from the Charles V Castle: it is probably the son of a soldier who died falling into a well and was carried away from here by the current of the Idume river (a of water flowing under the city of Lecce).

All these legends do nothing but make the Charles V Castle an even more fascinating place.

Useful information

The Carlo V Castle hosts within it, in addition to various exhibitions and shows, also the Papier-mâché Museum, the maximum expression of local artistic craftsmanship. It is a collection of approximately 80 works created by the most important living papier-mâché makers from the 18th century to the present day.

Furthermore, thanks to the collaboration between the Superintendency of Archaeological Fine Arts and Landscape for the Provinces of Brindisi, Lecce and Taranto and the cultural associations “34° fusa” and “The Monuments People”, visitors can take guided and multimedia tours to discover the hidden places in the castle (such as dungeons or cells) thanks to the “Through the Castle” project.

Usually the castle opens following these times in winter:

• Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm

• Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 9.30am to 9pm

In summer, from June to September:

• Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm

• Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 9.30am to 9pm

While in the months of July and August:

• from Monday to Friday from 9am to 11pm

• Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 9.30am to 11pm

However, given the health emergency linked to the Coronavirus epidemic, opening to the public is subject to restrictions in order to avoid risky gatherings.

With the promotion of Puglia in the yellow zone, the castle has reopened its doors, so visits are currently possible.

The cost of the entrance ticket is 5 euros (2 euros for children). Access is free for disabled people and their companions.

Those who live in Salento are already very lucky because they have beautiful places within reach where they can go on excursions, trips to the seaside, explore the historic centers or have fun during the summer nightlife. However, there is no shortage of those who also want to visit the beauties outside the Salento area, starting from the closest ones such as the cities, towns and villages of the Itria Valley. For this purpose many decide to rent a car or, especially for outings in groups of friends or with family, to book a transfer, a minibus suitable for trips out of town for several people.

The Itria Valley

The Itria Valley, also called “land of the trulli”, is an area that includes several municipalities in the provinces of Bari, Brindisi and Taranto.

• Firstly, Alberobello, a UNESCO heritage city, famous for its characteristic white conical buildings, the trulli, wonderful for walking in the narrow streets of the Monti and Aja Piccola districts, full of souvenir shops and restaurants where you can eat excellent local food.

• Secondly, Locorotondo and its historic center where it is possible to admire the traditional houses with pointed roofs and the narrow streets embellished with flowers, also beautiful to photograph.

• Thirdly, Putignano, a city famous for its Carnival but not only: for all lovers of nature excursions it is the ideal place to discover mysterious beauties such as the Grotta di San Michele and the bell-shaped Grotta del Trullo.

• But certainly unmissable are the Castellana caves in the municipality of Castellana Grotte, open all year round.

• Moving from the municipality of Bari to that of Brindisi, a visit to the white city, Ostuni, so defined because of the typical buildings made of white lime in its historic centre, is unmissable.

• Also, a short distance away is Carovigno, a charming village with a splendid historic centre, rich in art, history and nature: the four towers, the churches or the nearby Torre Guaceto nature reserve.

• In addition, in the province of Brindisi, for your out-of-town trips, you can visit the other towns of the Itria Valley, Ceglie Messapica, San Michele Salentino, San Vito dei Normanni, Villa Castelli, Cisternino and Fasano.

• To conclude, the towns of the Valla d’Itria are closed by Martina Franca, in the province of Taranto, famous for its Baroque architecture. Worth tasting here is the famous capocollo.

Destinations to visit in autumn and winter in Puglia…

• Among the autumn and winter destinations, there are many places to discover outside of Salento where you can stop for just one day or even for a few days. Remaining in Puglia, in Andria there is Castel del Monte, an octagonal building built by Frederick II of Swabia around 1240 in a position, 540 meters above sea level, which today seems isolated but which at that time was strategic , not far from the road that connected Andria and Garagnone. The castle stands in a point where the sun shines at all hours of the day: in the Middle Ages the sun had a particular meaning, especially since Frederick II was passionate about astronomy and was often compared to this very star.

• Instead, in the province of Foggia, a symbol of Christianity and a destination for numerous tourists and pilgrims every year, is the Sanctuary of San Pio da Pietrelcina in San Giovanni Rotondo. It was Padre Pio himself who wanted the construction of a sanctuary near the ancient Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. This was inaugurated in 1959 and its crypt also housed the tomb of the Saint which was then moved to the nearby new sanctuary inaugurated in 2004 and designed by the architect Renzo Piano: a grandiose and imposing structure of 6000 square metres, second in size only to Milan Cathedral.

…outside Puglia

• Matera, in Basilicata, splendid to visit especially during the Christmas period, famous for the Sassi or the typical constructions created from the natural caves present in the area to which have been added, over time, those dug by man who settled here in starting from the Paleolithic and which over the centuries, especially in the Middle Ages, built larger buildings such as the Cathedral of Matera or other churches. Even the historic center deserves more than one visit due to its buildings and palaces (such as the Palazzo dell’Annunziata) or its large squares.

• Likewise, in Calabria, however, between the provinces of Cosenza, Crotone and Catanzaro, there is the Sila National Park, where there are many activities that you can do during the autumn season even with your children: picking chestnuts and mushrooms, renting bicycles or follow horseback riding routes or, again, go for walks immersed in nature. At the Ampollino, Cecita and Arvo lakes, the more sporty will be able to go rowing or sport fishing especially for trout and carp. Sila is also very popular in winter for winter sports as in the towns of Lorica, Camigliatello and Ciricilla, chosen for their ski equipment and facilities, or Villaggio Palumbo for the bobsled slopes.

Destinations to visit in spring and summer in Puglia…

• When the good weather begins there is nothing better than spending a fun day with your children at the zoo and it is possible to visit one in nearby Fasano, the Zoosafari where you can admire savannah animals such as lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants , zebras, camels, dromedaries and many others; take walks among monkeys, gorillas, chimpanzees and baboons; photograph aquatic animals such as hippos, seals and polar bears; discover reptiles or admire shows with sea lions and seals. Near the zoo there is also the Fasanolandia Amusement Park with many attractions and rides for the enjoyment of adults and children.

• To relax in the summer by the sea, enjoying spacious sandy beaches and beautiful crystal clear waters, remaining in Puglia, in the Gargano there is the beautiful town of Vieste, famous both for all its natural and landscape beauty (such as the Sea Caves and Pizzomunno) but also for its historic centre, quiet for walks among souvenir shops and restaurants but also for the increasingly active nightlife which attracts many young people, especially in summer, with events, beach parties and concerts. From the port of Vieste it is possible to book a place on the ferry that connects the city every day with the Tremiti Islands, an archipelago in the Adriatic Sea made up of five islands (San Domino, San Nicola, Capraia, Cretaccio and Pianosa) beautiful to visit even with a small dinghy or with organized tours of the caves that allow you to admire the beauty of the seabed and places inaccessible simply by swimming.

…outside Puglia

• Another seaside town, this time overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, is Tropea. The fascinating town of the Costa degli Dei will leave you enchanted not only by the beauty of its beaches but also by the many cultural and artistic testimonies. In the ancient part of the city there is Church of Santa Maria dell’Isola (also called Isola Bella) from which it is possible to admire the entire coast and even see Stromboli and Vulcano or Etna in Sicily.

• For those looking for a dream holiday, in spring or summer, moving from Salento even for several days, Campania will satisfy these needs with the Sorrento Coast with the beauties of Sorrento, Massa Lubrense, Vico Equense and Sant’Agata. These are beautiful towns with breathtaking scenery where vegetation and the sea combine with the smells of citrus fruits and flowers.

• Likewise, still in Campania, for a charming holiday, you can opt for the Amalfi Coast which extends between the Gulf of Naples and that of Salerno through 14 municipalities including the beautiful Amalfi, whose historic center is dominated by the Cathedral of Sant’Andrea and again, villages like Atrani and Conca dei Marini where the famous Campania dessert “la Sfogliatella” was born. Furore, also called the painted town, famous for its fjord from which thousands of people dive every year, the seaside centers or fishing villages of Maiori, Minori, Praiano and Cetara. Finally Positano, famous for its white houses leaning against the sea and Vietri sul Mare, the last town on the coast, the southernmost one, famous for its ceramists.

Once upon a time, Salento was a land of conquest. Today it is one of the most desired destinations for the summer and every tourists leave a piece of their heart here. On the other hand, just seeing her sea is enough to fall in love with her. Salento is a magical, eclectic and, sometimes, surreal place that manages to enchant and bewitch with its coasts, its breathtaking landscapes, its history and the typical culture of the “Heel of Italy”. The warmth and hospitality of the places and the people transform the stay into an unforgettable experience. In this article we will list the 7 unmissable places that cannot be missed during your holidays in Puglia!

1. Ostuni, the “White City”

The magic of Ostuni, known as the “White City”, is linked to the characteristic lime paint coloring of the ancient village

Worth visiting, in the heart of the ancient village, are the Romanesque-Gothic style Cathedral, the former Carmelite monastery home to the Museum of Preclassical Civilizations of the Southern Murgia, the church of San Francesco, the Co-Cathedral and above all the ancient village. While outside the town the ancient farms deserve attention: among others, Santa Caterina with the high octagonal tower, the fortified masseria “Lo Spagnulo” (farm) and the Cappuccini masseria with its trulli.

Walks, workshops and tastings at the numerous educational farms, i.e. agritourism companies distributed throughout the territory which offer, for schools, but not only, direct experiences of observation and study, and then manipulations, fruit harvesting, participation in the various phases of transformation of agricultural products, creation of small rattan objects and tasting of typical products.

Finally, a visit to the Castellana Caves is a must, open all year round and is carried out with the help of expert tourist guides.

2. Itria Valley

It may be due to the white of the buildings or the vegetation that frames them, but every town, every village in the valley is surrounded by a magical, almost fairy-tale atmosphere. Valle d’Itria also called «Valle dei Trulli», is an extensive valley dotted with the famous cylindrical-shaped houses.
In the heart of the Itria Valley, an obligatory stop is Alberobello with its trulli, a location included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is considered a unique and enchanting place and, although it may be a little too touristy, it certainly deserves a visit visit. Most of the trulli here have been transformed into souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants, but some (in the less crowded areas of the city) are still inhabited. It’s impossible not to be fascinated by a walk through the streets of the Monti and Aja Piccola districts. Furthermore, here among the trulli, both the Living Nativity Scene, in the month of December, and the Living Passion, during the Easter period, are staged.

In the valley there is not only Alberobello. Its countryside is dotted with these typical buildings: just think of Cisternino, which rises in the so-called Murgia dei trulli, counted, together with nearby Locorotondo, among the most beautiful villages in Italy. The latter, called “Luogorotondo” until the mid-nineteenth century due to the characteristic round shape of the town, is part of “La Terra dei Trulli”.

3. The Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve

The Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve is a protected area located in the territory of Carovigno, on the Adriatic coast, a beach awarded with the 3 Sails of Legambiente. This stretch of coast is 6 kilometers long and offers an uncontaminated Mediterranean landscape, with the sea and dunes, Mediterranean scrub and marshes, of particular importance, as well as beauty. Inside there are habitats and landscapes such as a marine reserve with rocky and sandy seabeds, a wetland populated by amphibians and birds, high sand dunes and long accessible beaches where you can swim in a unique context. Throughout the year, the reserve offers numerous sporting activities such as trekking, cycle trekking, snorkeling and seawatching and various environmental education initiatives. The symbol of the area is the mighty Aragonese tower which for centuries has peered over the wonderful sea it overlooks.

4. Specchia

Specchia was the first of the Salento villages to earn the title of one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. The town is located in the Salento hinterland, behind Leuca, between Ugento and Tricase. It stands on a modest hill, perhaps justifying its name: the “specchie”, in fact, were piles of stones that the Messapians created as watchtowers. The center of the village is very enjoyable, with cars banned for some time and the possibility of walking and discovering its beauties. Typically medieval, with Catalan and Baroque motifs and decorations, Specchia is the town where life flows slowly.

The most evocative part of the center is the one behind the sixteenth-century Palazzo Risolo, among the tangle of alleys, courtyards and short stairways. Standing out with all its grandeur on Piazza del Popolo are the Ripa palace, the underground oil mills, the convent of the Black Franciscans dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries and the church of Santa Caterina. There are also several caves that open along the beautiful and very high limestone walls of this stretch of coast, which falls within the territory of the Costa Otranto, Santa Maria di Leuca and Bosco di Tricase Park.

5. Porto Selvaggio

You can immerse yourself in the extraordinary environment of the Regional Park of Porto Selvaggio and Palude del Capitano, included by the FAI (Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano) among the 100 places to be saved, a green treasure on the blue shore of the Ionian coast of Salento, north of Gallipoli.

The Wild Porto Park is ideal for long walks scented with pines, thyme, myrtle and Mediterranean scrub. Its coastline is a sinuous series of coves and natural caves, such as the Grotta delle Corvine, one of the most evocative in Salento. Along the paths traced by the managing body, you come across picnic areas, before reaching the bay, where a small pebble beach opens up. There are two main bays in the park: Porto Selvaggio bay and Uluzzo bay. To reach the coves, you need to reach Villa Tartufo near which there is one of the entrances to the park. You will then have to follow a path in the middle of the pine forest which will take you directly to the bay.

Don’t expect to find a large beach of fine sand. What will welcome you is a small cove with pebbles and a part of the cliff. On the left you will find the Torre dell’Alto while on the right there are numerous routes to explore the park.

6. Gallipoli

“Beautiful City” is the meaning of the name of Gallipoli, a seaside city nestled like a mirage on the Ionian coast, about 40km from Lecce.

The ancient village, perched on an island of limestone origin, is connected to the mainland and the new city by a twentieth-century arched bridge, recently flanked by another bridge towards the port. Today, the walls, bastions and towers protect it from sea storms, giving it a charm of times gone by.
The old city seems to announce itself with the Greek Fountain, a monument actually of Renaissance origin, while behind it, the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Canneto and the Chapel of Santa Cristina, protector of the city, overlook the sea.

Also worth seeing are the Basilica of Sant’Agata and the elegant palaces of the Salento nobility. Opposite Gallipoli, about a mile from the coast, the island of Sant’Andrea. The most beautiful beaches are around Porto Selvaggio, Lido Pizzo and Baia Verde. In summer Gallipoli is very popular especially with young people, as it offers a very intense nightlife and many places to spend a cheerful evening.

7. Porto Cesareo

Among the places to visit in Salento there are certainly Porto Cesareo with the dunes of Punta Prosciutto and the beach of Torre Lapillo.

Porto Cesareo is an important tourist resort famous for its golden beaches and the enchanting and easily accessible sea.
The village follows the rhythms of the sea and gathers around the pretty port, with the fish market and the characteristic row of colorful boats. Porto Cesareo includes the Marine Protected Area and the Regional Oriented Nature Reserve “Palude del Conte e Duna Costiera”, among the largest in Italy. It is worth walking the paths that cross the area for a dive into uncontaminated nature and a visit to the Marine Biology Station and the Thalassographic Museum.

In the area, the suggestive watchtowers stand out, preserved in excellent condition, including Torre Cesarea, Torre Chianca and Torre Lapillo, ancient stone sentinels built with the aim of preventing Saracen attacks, today guardians of the coast.

We suggest you stay on the beach until sunset to enjoy the colors of the sun, which sets into the placid waters of the sea.