CNA - 5 days: Salento and boat tour

DAY 1: Upon arriving independently at Masseria La Restuccia (or a similar establishment), you will be welcomed with a drink and given the room keys. Dinner is on your own. We recommend trying the cuisine of the Masseria and taking a stroll through the charming historic center of Lequile.

DAY 2:

After a hearty breakfast, a licensed guide recognized by the Puglia Region will meet you in the historic center of Lecce, known as the “Florence of the South.” You will admire the wonders and brilliance of Baroque Lecce, learning about its history and events. You will discover more about Piazza Sant’Oronzo, considered Lecce's living room, with the Roman Amphitheater and the harmonious Palazzetto del Sedile; as well as the many churches, including the Basilica of Santa Croce.

To fully experience local traditions, we have arranged for you to taste the typical Lecce breakfast: at the historic Caffè Alvino, you will enjoy the famous Pasticciotto (a soft pastry filled with custard), accompanied by the typical Salento coffee, blended with almond syrup.

After a lot of walking, you’ll need some rest. In the afternoon, we suggest visiting the beauty of the Salento Adriatic coast. It takes just 35 minutes to reach Torre dell’Orso. In addition to enjoying the sandy bay and the beautiful sea, you can visit the Grotta di San Cristoforo, an ancient coastal place of worship. Inside, you can still see the ancient graffiti, dating back to the early centuries BC. In the sea off the bay, you’ll encounter the “Two Sisters,” two young girls who, having drowned, were turned by the gods into sea stacks.

Lunch and dinner are not included, but the local restaurants will surprise you with their seafood menus.

DAY 3:

After the usual breakfast, the day's appointment is in Gallipoli, at the San Giorgio pier, for a fantastic guided boat tour. From the exceptional viewpoint in the middle of the Ionian Sea, you’ll admire the rich historic center, the Porto del Canneto with the Greek Fountain (the oldest in Italy, said to have been built in the 3rd century BC), and the Angioinian Castle, almost completely surrounded by the sea for full control of the horizon.

Remember to bring your swimsuit! Don’t miss the opportunity to dive into one of the most beautiful seas of the Italian Peninsula. You’ll reach the most beautiful beaches and the Periplo of the island of Sant’Andrea, where we will offer you a tasty aperitif featuring traditional seafood products and a glass of prosecco. (Please inform us of any intolerances or allergies.)

After seeing the city from the sea, you can explore the charming town from within. Visit the Castle, admire the Greek Fountain, and discover the Cathedral of Sant’Agata and the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli. If you get a little hungry, this city is the perfect place to indulge in red shrimp from Gallipoli.

DAY 4:

Today you will reach Cursi, 20 minutes by car from Masseria La Restuccia (or a similar establishment), for a guided tour of an ancient underground oil mill located within the "Trapetum" estate, which is entirely hand-carved, well-preserved, and a pioneering example of innovative technological restoration.

Immerse yourself in the underground atmosphere, lit by recovered oil lanterns reproduced according to ancient olive oil art traditions. Wearing VR goggles, you will experience an "immersive" journey, finding yourself in a functioning oil mill from the 1600s.

This special cultural moment, where technology reconnects us with the history of our land, restores the taste of sacrifice and hard work that was the basis of the most important Salento economic activity of the past: the production and trade of lamp oil.

At the end of this evocative experience, you will taste our typical products and good local wine.

The day will conclude with a pleasant walk to the Lecce stone quarries, a very versatile limestone, the mother of Baroque Lecce.

In the afternoon, we suggest visiting the magnificent Otranto, whose town has been recognized by UNESCO as a Peace Messenger Site. Wander through the city’s narrow streets, among porcelain and textile artisans’ shops, and breathe in the healthy sea air. You will be captivated by the Aragonese Castle, which inspired one of the first Gothic masterpieces in English literature, The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole.

DAY 5: After breakfast at Masseria La Restuccia (or a similar establishment), you will return the keys to your room