We'll never stop thanking TerraRussa.it, but above all Arianna, who managed to grasp our needs on the spot, offering us an apartment for 6 in Torre San Giovanni in the province of Lecce, without making us spend a fortune. Our budget wasn't high, so we decided to look for accommodation near Gallipoli and saw that Torre San Giovanni was decidedly cheaper and only 10 minutes from Gallipoli. We set off by car from Bologna, almost 9 hours of travel, but it was worth it: the Salento proved to be an enchanting place.
Day 19 Aug 2009
Arrival in Salento
When we arrived at the Marina di Alliste, we were surprised by the intensity with which the sea turned red, accompanying the setting sun; we wanted to stop on the rocks to enjoy what then became a daily ritual. Though exhausted from the journey, we were so eager to savour the flavours of Salento that, after a quick shower, we went to eat at the Octopus, and there we held nothing back: from raw seafood to linguine allo scoglio to impepata di cozze — flavours that are truly hard to forget.
A sunset at the Marina di Alliste
Day 210 Aug 2009
Discovering Gallipoli
We woke up slowly, with a great craving to taste the pasticciotti at the Caffè del Mar: breakfast facing the sea is just what you need to wake up with a smile. We moved on to Gallipoli: after an endless swim, we went to explore the city. The historic centre with its alleys is a must, as is the trip to the island of S.Andrea. After the fish feast the night before, it became obligatory to head back to Alliste for the sagra delle Municeddhra, or munacedda, during which we were able to taste "the other half of Salento": pittule, purpette, munacedde and pezzetti di cavallo, all duly accompanied by an excellent Primitivo
Windy day devoted to windsurfing
Day 311 Aug 2009
Porto Cesareo
We had already contacted the diving centre in Porto Cesareo to do a dive: the surprises the sea can hold for you are always astounding, if you discover it in its depths. In the afternoon we stayed in the area and went to the Isola dei Conigli, a small island with wild features just a stone's throw from the town centre — so much so that although there are boats to the island, we wanted to get there by wading. A shame about the terrible statue of Arcuri.
Windy day devoted to windsurfing
Day 412 Aug 2009
Show
We wanted to stay in the area to go to the sea at Lido Pizzo, while in the evening we went to Casarano to listen to Marco Paolini and the Mercanti di Liquore: not just food — this is Salento too.
Ponte Ciolo at Leuca
Day 513 Aug 2009
Towards the Gateway to the East
We woke up with a new desire for breakfast facing the sea; this was the day dedicated to Otranto and its alleys, to the Grotta della Zinzulusa, to Porto Badisco, and we discovered the marvellous bauxite quarries, with their chromatic combinations that border on the incredible.
Ponte Ciolo at Leuca
Day 614 Aug 2009
Nightclub at last!
Another day at the sea, a long aperitivo at the Solatio, then spending the evening at the Cotriero in Gallipoli, where we first got to watch a concert on the sea by a local band and then let loose with the disco.
the sea of Alliste
Day 716 Aug 2009
The departure
We set off with the awareness that seven days in Salento can only enrich you, leaving you eager to return as soon as possible.
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