Lecce and its Timeless Charm
Dragonfly Tours takes you to discover of one of the most lively and characteristic regions of Southern Italy.
As soon as you land in Bari your personal assistant will be waiting for you at the airport, ready to take you to the city of Lecce to the hotel of your choice. On the way you’ll stop for lunch in a traditional masseria (farmhouse), where you’ll have your first taste of the local delicacies.
Are you ready to explore this region? A private guide will accompany you through the streets of beautiful Lecce, also known as the “Florence of Southern Italy”. Strolling through the streets of the historic center you will discover a city where history and art are present in every corner. You will be entranced when the Duomo appears before your eyes, with its fascinating decorations and majestic Cathedral. Continuing this walk through history, you will reach the ancient heart of the historic center where you will be left speechless by the stunning ancient Roman amphitheater (2nd century AD). The tour of the city will then show you the Baroque period of Lecce, which is illustrated by the Basilica of Santa Croce in all its splendor.
After taking a dip in the history of this wonderful city, let yourself be carried away by the rhythm of the Salento summer!
From Otranto to the far south of the region
The first stop is Otranto, the “Gate of the East”, the easternmost of the Italian cities, an ancient town, founded by the Greeks of Crete.
You can admire this beautiful town, with its numerous and varied historical influences, on your way up to the Aragonese Castle, from where you can admire the uniqueness of this place. And after a walk among these Romanesque buildings with their views of the East, let yourself be tempted into one of the exclusive bars just a stone’s throw from the sea, where you be refreshed by a cool cocktail that tastes of summer.
Ready to let yourself go? Next stop Gallipoli!
Here, too, history speaks for itself. You will encounter remains of ancient walls from the 14th century and baroque chapels. After strolling through the narrow streets of the historic center, dive into the waves of the blue sea next to it, and then, later on, join one of the exclusive parties along its beaches. Don’t worry, we’ll tell you which party is the place to be, after all, in Gallipoli in the summer there’s always a party!
Another jewel of this land is Santa Maria di Leuca, in southernmost Salento.
Here two seas meet. In fact the strip of land on which Santa Maria di Leuca stands is bathed on one side by the Ionian Sea, and on the other by the Adriatic Sea. Some say that the point where the two seas meet is actually visible to the naked eye! Do you really want to miss all of this? Along with beautiful sunrises and breath-taking sunsets. The coasts here are full of small coves and caves to visit, like the Grotta dei Giganti, which according to an ancient legend, hid the bodies of the giants killed by Hercules, or the Grotta del Presepe, so called because there are stalactite and stalagmite formations that resemble the nativity.
Do we really need to say any more? Don’t miss out on one of the most beautiful lands in Italy, book your 10-day tour in Puglia now with Dragonfly Tours!