Immerse yourself in the essence of Salento with this route that combines villages, sea, culture and flavours. Your B&B in Specchia will be the beating heart of every adventure.
DAY 1: Middle Ages, Adriatic and Traditions
Morning:
- Breakfast in the B&B garden with friselle with tomato, PDO oil and Salento coffee.
- Explore Specchia: Stroll through the paved alleys, visit the Underground Oil Mill (16th century) and the Church of the Madonna Assunta. Look for the Baroque portals in Via della Repubblica.
- Visit Poggiardo (10 minutes by car): Discover the Byzantine frescoes of the Crypt of Santa Maria degli Angeli, an 11th-century underground treasure.
Lunch:
- Trattoria “Li Stritti” in Tricase (15 minutes from Specchia): Order ciceri e tria and a glass of Negroamaro.
Afternoon:
- Adriatic Coast: Marina Serra beach (20 minutes): Swim in the Vora, the natural pool carved into the rock.
- Torre Palane: Visit this isolated coastal tower, with panoramic views over olive groves and sea.
Dinner:
- Restaurant “Casaranova” in Presicce (10 minutes): Try the fish alla pizzaiola with raw mussels and a glass of Fiano.
Evening:
- Back to Specchia: A night-time stroll under the lights of the village, artisan ice cream from “Gelateria del Vicolo” (toasted almond or prickly pear flavour).
DAY 2: Ionian, Baroque and Nightlife
Morning:
- Breakfast with pasticciotto and blood-orange juice.
- Gallipoli (35 minutes by car): Lose your breath in the labyrinth of the old town. Visit the Cathedral of Sant’Agata and the Angevin Castle.
Lunch:
- Underground Oil Mill “Le Fabriche”: Enjoy a peasant menu (fave e cicorie, horse-meat stew) in a 16th-century stone cave.
Afternoon:
- Purità Beach or Baia Verde (Gallipoli): Relax between crystal-clear sea and DJ sets on the beach.
- Porto Selvaggio (20 minutes): Trek through the park to Torre dell’Alto, with a stop at the Grotta del Cervo.
Dinner:
- Osteria “La Torre” in Nardò (30 minutes): Specialty orecchiette with ricotta forte and turnip tops.
Evening:
- Aperitif in Gallipoli: Cocktails at sunset on the Ponte Rosso, accompanied by savoury pittule.
DAY 3: Lecce, Crafts and Taste
Morning:
- Breakfast with puccia filled with almond cream and cappuccino.
- Lecce (40 minutes by car): Baroque tour: Basilica of Santa Croce, Piazza del Duomo, Roman Amphitheatre.
- Papier-mâché Workshop: Create your own little work of art with a local master.
Lunch:
- Osteria “Gli Angeli”: Try the pitta di patate and the friscà (barley and vegetable salad).
Afternoon:
- Negroamaro Wineries in Guagnano (25 minutes): A tour with tasting of wines aged in underground cisterns.
- Shopping in Lecce: Buy a ceramic “pumo” or PDO oil in one of the shops of Via Palmieri.
Dinner:
- Dinner at “Masseria De Donno Villa De Donno”: Request a private dinner with a traditional menu (sliced horse steak, aubergine parmigiana, cartellate with vincotto) prepared by a local cook.
Evening:
- Night in the Garden: Enjoy a last glass of Primitivo under the stars, listening to the concert of the crickets.
Why Does This Itinerary Work?
- Perfect balance of relaxation, culture and taste.
- Smart logistics: a maximum of 40 minutes of travel, no stress.
- Authentic experiences: from workshops to dinners at the masseria, live Salento like a local.
Extra Tips
- Rent a car or an e-bike: public transport is limited.
- Salento hours: lunch at 2 pm, dinner after 8.30 pm… get used to the slow rhythm!
- Bring comfortable shoes: the paving of the villages is charming, but treacherous.
Salento Is Not Visited, It Is Felt. Within the walls of Specchia, among centuries-old olive trees and singing seas, you will discover that this land is not a destination: it is an emotion that settles on the soul and never leaves.