Italea

The experience

Salento, an enchanting and ancient land, a crossroads of cultures and peoples. Retrace with us its ancient origins told by megalithic sculptures, until you are enchanted by the sinuous shapes of the Lecce Baroque.

You will discover the crystal clear sea of Salento and its countryside, you will learn about the traditions of popular dances such as the pizzica pizzica, you will be able to model the Lecce stone and taste the pasticciotto leccese, a typical Salento dessert. Let yourself be conquered by the southernmost land of the Heel of Italy.

In a few words

Lecce Baroque

Pasticciotto

Underground oil mill

Lecce Stone

excursion

Megaliths

Tour

day 1

Lecce and Galatina, a journey between the splendour of the Baroque and the tradition of pizzica and local pastry. read more

Lecce

Guided tour of the enchanting historic center of Lecce. You will admire the splendor of the Lecce Baroque, the architectural style that embellishes the alleys of the ancient village, the beautiful churches and the facades of the noble palaces. After the visit you will enjoy an excellent lunch in a typical tavern, where you will taste the typical dishes of the Lecce tradition. Address: Piazzetta Arco di Trionfo, 73100 Lecce LE

Galatina

Guided tour to discover the treasures kept in the characteristic old town. You will visit the wonderful Basilica of Santa Caterina and you will be accompanied to the Pozzo di San Paolo, to discover the ancient rites related to the traditional Salento dance, the pizzica pizzica. Afterwards, we will take you to a historic pastry shop in the area, where you can taste the most popular dessert of Salento, the legendary pasticciotto leccese which has its origin in Galatina. Address: Piazza San Pietro 73013 Galatina LE

day 2

Melpignano, Cursi and Corigliano d'Otranto, castles, dances and handicrafts: history and tradition of Salento Greece read more

Melpignano

Walk in the historic center of Melpignano and visit to the marquis palace. We’ll admire the Augustinian Convent, in front of which the largest popular music event in Puglia is held in summer: La Notte della Taranta. Address: Via Roma, 19, 73020 Melpignano LE Transfer to Cursi

Cursi

Visit to the Ecomuseum of Lecce stone, which tells the story of the work and production of this land in an ancient underground oil mill. Transfer to Corigliano D’Otranto Address: Piazza Papa Pio XII, 41, 73020 Cursi LE

Corigliano d'Otranto

Lunch at a typical restaurant. This will be followed by a guided tour of the imposing Castello De’ Monti, a splendid example of a sixteenth-century fortification. Finally, the Lecce stone workshop by a local association, inside the halls of the Castle. Address: Piazza Castello, 1, 73022 Corigliano D’otranto LE

day 3

Giuggianello and the origins of Salento; Otranto, gateway to the East read more

Giuggianello

Visit to the countryside of Giuggianello to discover the ancient megalithic sculptures, archaeological finds that bear witness to an ancient past. Excursion by a reality active in the area. Transfer to nearby Otranto. Address: Via Roma, 22 73030 Giuggianello (Le)

Otranto

Lunch at a typical restaurant. Tour of one of the most beautiful villages in Salento, overlooking a crystal clear sea, a crossroads of cultures, a symbol of the capture of the Turks in 1480. You will visit the Cathedral, inside which you can admire the wonderful floor mosaic and the Chapel of the 800 Martyrs of Otranto. Address: Via D’Aragona A, 20, 73028 Otranto LE

Salento, a crossroads of cultures

The experience

In a few words

Tour

Let us guide you on your journey to the Roots