Salento and Magna Graecia
The southern soul of PugliaSalento is the Southern part of Puglia and is a unique land embraced between the Ionian and Adriatic sea. Here we have miles of coastline characterized by a wide variety of landscapes and architectonical elements such as wonderful white sandy beaches, cliffs, natural areas, watchtowers and castles facing the sea but also picturesque towns and harbors such as Gallipoli, Otranto and Santa Maria di Leuca.
The inland of this area is famous for its majestic baroque style Churches and palazzi which were built during the 17th-18th century. The very heart of Apulian Baroque is the very elegant city of Lecce with its baroque palaces and churches constructed from warmly colored Lecce stone. Another attraction of Salento area is the town of Galatina where you can taste the famous local delicacy “pasticciotto” or get to know the local rural culture. This territory is very rich of history as well. Here we find two of the most important historical places of all of Puglia, the roman city of Brindisi and the greek city of Taranto, the "capital" of Magna Graecia, with the most important archaeological national museum of Puglia.
IN SALENTO AND MAGNA GRAECIA YOU CAN VISIT
Grottaglie
Grottaglie, the hometown of ceramic, sits on a small hill not far from Taranto, on the edge of the Murge terrace, surrounded by spectacular canyons…
Oria and Manduria, on the path of Primitivo wine…
Before tasting the Primitivo di Manduria wine, we will have a walk through the alleys of the ancient towns of Oria and Manduria…
Nardò, Porto Selvaggio and Santa Maria al Bagno
Nardò is the most populated town of the province of Lecce, and one of the ancientest of the region. During the XVI century the city was the cultural capital of Salento thanks to the Acquaviva family, dukes of Nardò.
Santa Maria di Leuca
Santa Maria di Leuca is truly the heel of Italy, the place where the Ionian Sea meets the Adriatic Sea. From this tip of Puglia will admire spectacular views of the harbor and the sea, as well as the sanctuary of Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae.
Galatina
This charming town with Greek roots has a majestic baroque Cathedral dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul and a stunning gothic church…
Brindisi
The most important Roman town in Puglia, the old “Brundisium” was connected to Rome through the ancient Via Appia—the Appian Way. Brindisi was for hundreds of years the bridge to the East and the crossroads of merchants, crusaders, sailors and several religious orders, including the mysterious Templar Knights, from all over Europe.
Gallipoli
Gallipoli is an enchanting coastal town rich in history because of its Greek roots and its wonderful Baroque and Renaissance buildings. We will walk through the alleys of the old town, which connected to the mainland by a seventeenth-century bridge.
Taranto
This guided tour introduces you to the capital of Magna Graecia, the area of Italy colonized in ancient times by Greece. Discover the City of Two Seas.
Otranto
Otranto is the door to the East. For centuries, it was an outpost of the Byzantine Empire on Apulian soil, as well as the cultural and artistic center of the entire region.
Lecce
On a guided tour of Lecce, you will admire elegant baroque palaces and magnificent baroque churches constructed from the warmly colored Lecce stone…
GET THE BEST FROM YOUR TOUR!
Combine the visit of Salento and Magna Graecia with this experiences:
Food street market
Get a taste of traditional life in Puglia! At least once a week, every Apulian town organizes a local market where you can find local fresh food products…
Lunch or dinner in a Slow Food Restaurant
We will take you to the most authentic places, and we will introduce you to Apulian restaurants selected by the Slow Food Movement…
Boat tours and sailing trips
There is no better way than a boat trip to enjoy the beauty of the Apulia seas. We can organize your private or sharing boat tour (sailing or motor) in the all best costs of Puglia: Vieste and Peschici on the Gargano, the Tremiti Islands, the perched city of Polignano a Mare, Monopoli, the breathtaking cliffs around Otranto, the white beaches of Gallipoli, till Taranto with is large dauphin colony…
Hiking tour of the Torre Guaceto nature reserve
Take an exciting hiking tour through one of the most spectacular natural areas along the lower Adriatic Sea, the nature and marine reserve of Torre Guaceto.
We will explore the protected marine area with its cliffs, bays, wetlands, and fresh water pools.
Cooking class
In introductory Apulian cooking classes you will have the chance to gain practical knowledge about some of the most typical dishes of Puglia, including the most famous orecchiette with broccoli rabe.