To Lecce

Another scorchingly hot day in Italy. We were only 50 km from Lecce, our next port of call, but decided to drive down to the bottom of Puglia and hit the beaches again rather than spend the day at an inland city, even if it is described as the Florence of the South.This was the route

More great scenery as we drove south

The lighthouse at the bottom of the heel, Capo Santa Maria Di Leuca, lots of cruise boats passing out to sea

The town itself 

We decided on our first swim here 

We drove on past more amazing coastline

Deciding on another swim at Lido Marini, promoted as the Maldives of Italy, and the marketing obviously worked, it was packed 

We had lunch here too at a restaurant on the beach, amazing wood fired pizza and bruschetta 

Another swim just before Gallipoli, yes there is a Gallipoli in Puglia 

Then it was on to Lecce...

...and our suite at Palazzo Rollo. The sitting room with kitchenette adjacent 

The bedroom 

Embroidered sheets 

The courtyard with  our position 

The view from our room 

We had welcome drinks on the roof terrace overlooking the Cathedral

Then strolled the streets with the crowds. The cathedral and piazza 

 Just strolling 

Before dining at Duo restaurant 

Welcome canapés, 8 different ones!

Including snails and ape roll spritz jellies 

Appetiser

 Traditional monkfish soup 

Veal 

Lemon something dessert 

Everything was fantastic including a Sussumaniello wine recommended by our French friends who were here 2 years ago