The road between Italy’s Santa Maria di Leuca and Otranto hugs the incredible white stone cliffs of the Southern Italian coastline, offering unparalleled views of the wide-open Adriatic Sea making it one of the most beautiful drives in Italy. The plethora of white sand beaches with friendly, picturesque beach towns with myriad hotels makes the drive perfect for beach hopping. Part of the Puglia ... Read Full Article
Italy From Bottom to Top: Biking in Puglia
This morning, we woke up and said goodbye to the city of Lecce. We have two bicycles, only one of which has gears (profuse apologies to my girlfriend. Kristen). We’ve given our backpacks to a friend who we will meet up with in the city of Mesagne. Fortunately, bicycling in the south of Puglia isn’t very challenging because the terrain is mostly flat and there are many private bicycling paths. It ... Read Full Article
Travelogue: Italy From Bottom to Top, Lecce
I’m in the southern Italian city of Lecce, in the region of Puglia. Lecce and I have a long history). I left the city several months ago for a job, and though I thought I’d be back often, this is my first time back. My girlfriend and I arrived yesterday and visited the Antica Masseria Salento wine store, run by my friend Maurizio. He was excited about a new product, orecchiette made with ... Read Full Article
All Around Ostuni, Italy, “the White Town”
Ostuni is located in the Puglia region of Italy, commonly known as the heel of the boot. The hilltop town of just over 30,000 people is well worth visiting, thanks to the beautiful scenery on all sides. The view of the city from a distance is breathtaking; the white-washed homes cap the hilltop, juxtaposed with the jagged skyline of domes and towers. Views of the surrounding countryside ... Read Full Article
Cucina Povera: Lecce, Italy’s Casareccia Restaurant
Famous for its authenticity, cozy and rustic atmosphere, and homey service, the Cucina Casareccia restaurant, located in Lecce, Italy, is the beating heart of Pugliese cuisine. A taste of Puglia’s cuisine can be likened to a taste of the region’s hearty past. Puglia, one of the poorest regions in the European Union, has had its cuisine shaped by poverty (cucina povera means cooking ... Read Full Article
The Best Beaches on Italy’s Salento Peninsula
Nothing says Mediterranean like white-sand beaches, soft wind, and gentle waves. And the Salento peninsula in Italy’s Puglia region is surrounded by all three on three sides. With so many options, it’s sometimes hard to pick which beach to visit. This guide will help you find just the right one. The Salento peninsula has the Adriatic Sea to the east and the Ionian Sea, with the ... Read Full Article
Dining on the Roof of Lecce, Italy’s Five Star Hotel
The Roof Garden Altavilla restaurant on top of the Risorgimento Resort Hotel offers very fine Italian food with memorable views of Lecce’s skyline, including the exquisite 210 foot Duomo tower. I recently had a friend visit who wanted to test out Italy’s fine-dining. He, my girlfriend, and I began a search for just the right restaurant. It only took one glance at the dinner menu for the Roof ... Read Full Article
Porto Cesáreo’s Private Islands, Italy
Renown for its freshest of the fresh seafood and sublime beaches, the city of Porto Cesáreo in Italy’s Puglia region is a popular destination among Italian tourists and an ideal location to experience Southern Italian coastal culture. Located on a small peninsula, the seafood markets, gelaterias, restaurants, and bars extend into a calm bay. Apparently this impressive natural ... Read Full Article
Explore the South of Italy
For most travelers to Italy, Rome is the furthest south they will travel. The golden triangle encompassing Rome, Venice and Florence is the main route. But the south has so much to offer! The regions of the south include, Lazio and within it Rome and Vatican city, Abruzzo, Molise and Puglia along the Adriatic, Naples and Campania, the toe of the boot Basilicata and Calabria, and the island of ... Read Full Article