Lecce & Salento Discovery - 7 day tour

Welcome to Lecce! After your arrival, check into the hotel for the night.
Overnight: Lecce

After enjoying breakfast, join your tour guide at the hotel and embark on a 3-hour walking tour to explore the wonders of Lecce. Often referred to as the "Florence of the South" due to its vibrant artistic and cultural scene, Lecce is renowned for its baroque architecture.

You'll visit numerous religious and secular landmarks, including the Maria Santissima Assunta and the Basilica Santa Croce, Palazzo dei Celestini, Piazza Sant’Oronzo with its Roman amphitheatre, and the Church of Santa Chiara. The afternoon will be yours to spend as you wish.
Overnight: Lecce  |  Breakfast

Lecce - Otranto - Santa Maria di Leuca - Lecce. Start the day with breakfast at your hotel before meeting your driver and setting off for Otranto, a short 30-minute drive from Lecce. Over the centuries, Otranto has been influenced by the Greeks, Romans, and Turks, and remnants of these diverse cultures are still visible today. After savouring lunch at a traditional restaurant, make stops at Santa Cesarea Terme and Castro Marina.

Later, take your time exploring Santa Maria di Leuca, a popular summer destination known for its Liberty-style villas and the iconic lighthouse. Adjacent to the lighthouse is the Sanctuary de Finibus Terrae, built to honour St. Peter's journey to Italy.
Overnight: Lecce  |  Breakfast, Lunch

Lecce - Galatina - Gallipoli - Lecce. After breakfast, head to Galatina, an intriguing inland town with pagan roots. Here, you'll visit the Basilica di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, known for its stunning paintings and mosaics, as well as the Baroque church of San Pietro and the quaint church of San Paolo. You'll also gain insights into the tarantismo tradition and the pizzica and taranta folk dances. Lunch will be at Le Stanzie, a picturesque masseria.

Next, you'll explore Gallipoli, a city with Greek origins. Its historic centre, enclosed by medieval walls, is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Gallipoli is a popular summer destination, especially among young people, known for its lively nightlife.
Overnight: Lecce  |  Breakfast, Lunch

Lecce - Crispiano - Lecce. After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, head to Grottaglie, a renowned artisan community in the Salento region. Here, you'll tour the studios of famous ceramic artists and participate in a hands-on workshop where you'll learn to sculpt and paint clay over a 2 to 3-hour session.

Following this, visit the Crispiano area, celebrated for its Primitivo wine production. You'll explore a prestigious vineyard-garden that has transformed this once semi-desert area into a lush and productive oasis. Enjoy lunch and a wine tasting here.
Overnight: Lecce  |  Breakfast, Lunch

Lecce - Ceglie Messapica - Martina Franca - Lecce. Following breakfast, your day begins with a visit to Ceglie Messapica, nestled between the Murge Plateau and Upper Salento. From the historic cent of this charming town, you'll take in views of trulli, traditional farms, lamie (typical dwellings), caves, olive groves, vineyards, cattle pastures, and expansive arable land.

Next, you'll explore Martina Franca, an elegant Baroque village brimming with churches, noble buildings, and picturesque squares. Key sites include Piazza Plebiscito, the Cathedral, the Ducal Palace, and the Torre dell’Orologio. This region, known as the Valle d'Itria, is renowned for its scenic olive trees and vineyards. Lunch will be enjoyed at a typical trattoria.
Overnight: Lecce  |  Breakfast, Lunch