Beauty is priceless. And, in fact, some of the most beautiful beaches in Salento are free and free of charge. If you are willing to give up something in terms of convenience and comfort, giving up the comforts of a beach establishment for a day, you will be rewarded by a breathtaking, unspoiled sea, cleaner than ever. One option is Baia dei Turchi, just a few kilometers from Otranto, where establishments are banned to preserve its natural landscape. In the far south, on the other hand, in the territory of Gagliano del Capo, there is one of the most beautiful postcards of the Salento, Ciolo, a pebble cove enclosed in the Mediterranean maquis and overlooked by a thirty-meter bridge from which the most daring dive. If you are then willing to walk a bit before reaching the sea, a must-see stop on your Salento vacation will certainly be the Bay of Porto Selvaggio (Nardò). The blue is a surprise that conquers the heart, after meters of pine trees and Mediterranean scrub. The sea, due to the proximity of natural springs, is clear and cool.
3. BOATING TOWARD THE ISLANDS - The two islands of Salento.
There are two favorite islands in Salento: theIsola dei Conigli in Porto Cesareo and theIsola di Sant'Andrea in Gallipoli, both in the Ionian Sea. The first, in the marine protected area of Porto Cesareo, is a paradise of biodiversity and variety of seabed. and is just under 3 km long. The second, the island of Sant'Andrea, is just under 2 km off the coast of Gallipoli, is rich in corals and is about 50,000 square meters in size. It can be reached by boat or pedal boat.
4. AN EXCURSION TO THE BAUXITE CAVES - A unique place of its kind.
Otranto's bauxite quarries are a true surprise of nature, the color palette you don't expect. There is an emerald green pond. There are rust-red rocks. Bushes and plants with intense, bright tones. The feeling that dominates is that of being out of the world, partly because an incredible atmosphere of peace reigns there. The pond was formed by the infiltration of water that followed the abandonment of the quarry; the exceptional uniqueness of its color is due to the remains of bauxite that still remain. A unique spectacle, absolutely a must-see.
5. PIZZICA FESTIVALS AND CONCERTS - Salento to eat and dance to
Salento's most famous popular music event is certainly La Notte della Taranta, but the best way to get closer to Salento culture and to taste the extraordinary hospitality of the Salento people remains to attend the many evenings with which the summer in the Heel of Italy is studded. They are everywhere, practically every night. The festivals are a must for those who want to taste the typical dishes of Salento: from the festival of frisa to that of puccia, passing through that of "municeddhra" and "lu porcu pri pri," many appointments that in the face of a mise en place a bit spartan and a decidedly popular atmosphere will give your palate the flavors of the most authentic Salento. Two super recommended appointments? The Mercatino del gusto in Maglie, every year in early August, and the "sagra del diavolo," in Galatone, with music, food and various oddities.
6. THE RETURN OF THE PARANTS TO THE PORT - An aperitif of the freshest fish.
There is no fresher fish than that served and enjoyed at a fish market at sunset or very early in the morning. In Gallipoli, for example, it is a much-awaited daily ritual. The harbor, in the junction between the old and new town, is crowded with residents and tourists who welcome the return of fishing boats and paranze (fishing boats) as the catch is cleaned, seasoned with oil and lemon and served on the stalls, before proceeding to purchase. Delighting both sight and palate, you can choose from a crudité of red shrimp, oysters, scampi, urchins, clams and mussels. If, on the other hand, the word "aperitif" brings to mind a comfortable sofa and a spectacular view of the sea, you can find it at Barrueco, in Santa Caterina (Nardò), a bar with wooden and straw canopies overlooking the sea, at Bar del Moro, in San Gregorio (Patù), at Gricò in Santa Maria di Leuca, at Cotriero in Punta del Pizzo (Gallipoli), at Solatio in Torre Suda, the Km0 in Santa Maria al Bagno.
7. TREKKING AT STRAPIOMBO ON THE SEA - Mediterranean scrub at the top of the lungs.
Among the different degrees of difficulty, you will also find some that are not very challenging but definitely interesting to spend a day in Salento, especially if you love sports and contact with nature. These are some routes to do on foot to immerse yourself in the beauty of Salento. For those who want to appreciate the natural beauty of the Mediterranean maquis overhanging the Adriatic Sea, there is the Acquaviva Trail, which starts in Diso and reaches the Seno dell'Acquaviva di Marittima: 3 km of well-being to breathe deeply. Further south, the Sentiero Vie del Sale (Salt Path), in Corsano, is a succession of dry stone walls, sheep tracks and terraces that frame an exceptional panorama. A surprise for the little ones is the Adventure Park, in the N'Zepe Woods.
8. BREAKFAST WITH A PASTRY AND SNACK WITH A RUSTIC - street food
More than a food, an identity card, an obligatory item for those who spend their vacations in Salento. No palate should deprive itself of these delicacies: the pasticciotto, for those with a sweet tooth, and the rustico, puff pastry filled with tomato, béchamel and mozzarella, for those who prefer savory, are the standard-bearers of Salento street food. The pasticciotto is a short pastry boat. Tradition dictates that it's filled with lots of mouth-watering custard, but for those who forgo orthodoxy there are incredible nutella, hazelnut and fruit versions. Rustico leccese, on the other hand, does not allow experimentation. That's the recipe, no light versions without bechamel, fusion reinventions or other variations are accepted. Taste is a sin of gluttony that must be fulfilled to the end.
9. THE CASCATA BY NIGHT - Spectacular Leuca
The Waterfall by Night is truly a one-of-a-kind event. At the foot of the Basilica of Santa Maria di Leuca, magical nights with colors, music, performances and street performers accompany the lighting of the town's monumental waterfall, an imposing work no less than 250 meters high and a drop of about 120 meters, with a flow rate of 1,000 liters per second that ends directly in the sea. It can be admired from the upper belvedere to keep an eye on the entire surrounding panorama as well, or from the foot of the waterfall, to fully admire its full power. On the night of Ferragosto, for the lucky ones who have rented a vacation home in Leuca, in addition to the beauty of the waterfall there is the fireworks display of fireworks.
10. A VISIT TO THE WINE CELLARS
If you want a distillation of Salento culture, the wine produced in this area will give you all the answers you seek. The native excellences are called Susumaniello, Negroamaro, Primitivo, Aleatico and Malvasia Nera and Bianca di Lecce. And, available to connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike, there are many wineries that allow you to book tours (including free guided tours) of the winery, with product tasting and direct sales at affordable prices. What's more, and it's no small thing, you can take home for your return an excellent bottle to toast your vacation in Salento. Looking forward to coming back again.
