Puglia is an space of Italy that I love dearly, and although Europeans have been visiting Puglia for fairly a while, it appears to be catching on a bit more slowly with Americans. Let me tell you that this is an excellent a half of Italy to go to — and very totally different from the standard Rome-Florence-Venice route. I love the easiness of the town, I love the bizarre mixture of architecture, and I love the worth for money you get right here. If you’re driving a automobile and utilizing Lecce as a base, ask your accommodation where you should park. Like most Italian cities, Lecce has a ZTL (zona traffico limitato), which signifies that solely residents can drive or park in the metropolis heart. Our accommodation host gave us instructions to a free parking lot just exterior town heart.

Well-liked Road Journeys From Lecce

13 years later, I’m nonetheless touring nations and 7 continents — and now residing in Prague! My objective is to indicate YOU how one can journey the world by yourself — simply, safely, and adventurously. If museodeibambini ’re a Bond fan, you’ll recognize the backdrop from No Time To Die (which happened to be filming once I was there!). Matera is a one-of-a-kind city in the Basilicata area of Italy, just over the Puglia border.

Cooking Courses

Only by renting a car or becoming a member of a tour will you see how remarkable this area of southern Italy is. It’s good for a seashore afternoon during summer season, but a wander alongside the lungomare works at any time of yr. Lecce doesn’t have its personal seashore, however the metropolis is a short drive from the coastline.

I personally loved spending a few days in Lecce, and I suppose it makes an excellent base for a wider exploration of the Salento region. It certainly helps that Lecce will get you a lot more worth for cash than most places in Italy. In the Nineteen Eighties, Matera began growing its tourism, and many of the sassi have been was luxury hotels. Today Matera is a serious hotspot in southern Italy, and is important to Puglia itineraries, despite technically not being part of Puglia. If you’d rather not drive, hand over the reins to this Ostuni, Alberobello, and Polignano a Mare full-day tour.

Admission comes with a guide which is beneficial as there is plenty of historical past to chew via. If you’re traveling as a pair or group, e-book this private tour of the Jewish Museum Lecce. Over 2,500 years of history lay within the cellar of this historic constructing, together with a tomb from the times of the Messapian tribe and etchings from the Knights Templar. The museum is entirely family-run and tremendous participating as it has such a combination of relics.

Of in all places I visited in Puglia, I found essentially the most architectural and historical wonders in Lecce. This exuberant Baroque metropolis is hailed as the “Florence of the South,” thanks to its beautiful historical buildings made from supple, golden-hued Lecce stone. Shoulder season is a wonderful time to visit Puglia, and I suppose that is one of the best if you’re excited about exploring historic websites, ruins, and attention-grabbing cities.

The vast, open spaces and artistic prospers throughout the cathedral can spark curiosity in youngsters, serving to them to understand the grandeur and great factor about Italy’s historic websites. If you intend to go to Puglia, Italy, then Lecce should be on the top of your Puglia itinerary! Lecce is value visiting because it is one of the most awe-inspiring Baroque cities in the world. Along with its stunning Lecce Baroque structure, Lecce offers world-class dining, mind-blowing historic legacy and ruins, and plenty of shopping, wine-tasting, and museums to visit. One of probably the most special things to do in Lecce is partake in a standard southern Italy ritual. The passeggiata is when town residents head out for a dusk-time stroll by way of the historic center (or alongside the seafront in coastal resorts).