Embark on a stress-free excursion starting from Lecce, where we'll explore the captivating towns of Galatina and Gallipoli. These enchanting destinations are conveniently close to each other and easily accessible by a slow but direct train, making it effortless to visit both in just one day.

Galatina

We started our day by taking a short and easy train ride from Lecce to Galatina, a charming town that is conveniently located along the same railway line as Gallipoli. The journey only took us 45 minutes, and as soon as we stepped off the train, we were immediately drawn to the town's mini Lecce-like ambiance.

Galatina welcomed us warmly as we explored its streets, which were adorned with centuries-old buildings that had a rich history. One particular highlight on our itinerary was the magnificent Basilica di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria.

Basilica di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria

The Basilica, built in 1383, impressed us with its exquisite artistry and religious significance. Stepping inside, we were immediately struck by a sense of awe. The walls were adorned with intricate frescoes that took us on a fascinating journey through time, depicting scenes from biblical stories and the lives of saints.

The artistry displayed in these frescoes was truly remarkable, showcasing the talent and devotion of the artists who created them so many years ago. We were amazed by the vibrant colors that still retained their brilliance. It felt as though we had entered a living museum, where history came alive before our eyes.

What made our visit even more special was that admission to the Basilica di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria was based on donations, making it accessible to visitors from all walks of life.

Chiesa Madre dei Santi Pietro e Paolo

Continuing our exploration of Galatina, we stumbled upon another architectural gem - Chiesa Madre dei Santi Pietro e Paolo, also known as the Mother Church. Its grand façade enticed us to step inside and discover its hidden treasures.

Upon entering, we were greeted by a serene and reverent atmosphere. The ornate decorations adorning the altar and walls showcased Galatina's rich religious heritage. We took our time to admire the intricate details carved into every surface, a testament to the craftsmanship of those who built this magnificent structure.

Try out the Pasticciotto

Make sure to try the pasticciotto in Galatina, where it originated. This shortcrust pastry with a creamy filling is a local specialty which you can also find in most cafes in Salento. We had a delicious one from a bakery near the Basilica di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria. It's a delightful treat that perfectly complements your visit to the basilica and allows you to experience Galatina's culinary heritage firsthand.

Where to Stay in Galatina?

The old town is pretty relaxed so if you want a quiet base then this is the place for you. I recommend staying in the center.

For mid-range, Casa Vacanza Vico Maroncelli is central and nicely decorated.

For luxury, check out the highly rated Amira 1899 Luxury Suite where you can pamper yourself in a hot tub or relax in a sauna.

Gallipoli

After our delightful time in Galatina, we hopped on a short train ride to reach the coastal town of Gallipoli. As we arrived, the refreshing scent of the sea filled the air, setting the stage for a culinary adventure.

Seafood in Gallipoli

Gallipoli is a seafood lover's paradise, thanks to its location on the Ionian Sea. We couldn't resist trying the local specialties at Trattoria Santa Monaca, a renowned restaurant in the old town. One dish that stood out was the succulent purple prawns cooked in salt. You can also have it simply grilled as it can be too salty. These local delicacies boasted a delicate flavor and vibrant color, offering a memorable taste experience.

To complement our prawns, we savored a flavorful fish soup brimming with mussels, clams, and squid. The broth was skillfully infused with herbs and spices, creating a symphony of flavors that delighted our palates.

Our meal at Santa Monaca, including drinks, came to a total of EUR 62, a reasonable price for the quality and quantity of food served. Portions were so huge that we didn't have space for dessert.

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Basilica Concattedrale di Sant'Agata

Also known as the Gallipoli Cathedral, it holds deep religious importance in this town and is dedicated to their patron saint Saint Agatha. Its history dates back several centuries, and as we wandered through its hallowed halls, we couldn't help but feel a connection to those who had come before us.

Hooded Penitents

While exploring one of the churches by the coast, I was shocked to see a hooded mannequin as I entered one of the churches simply because I wasn't expecting that and didn't do much research prior our visit. This is just a model of the hooded penitents that parade barefoot during Lent and are covered to protect their identity.

We found this at the Church of the Holy Crucifix just along the coastal road. They also have some photos of the penitents during Holy Week.

There are a few more churches that you can explore within the old town but these two are what I found most fascinating.

Left: hooded statue

Right: church interior

Take it Slow at a Café

When in Italy, take it slow. We settled into our seats and ordered comforting cappuccinos – creamy concoctions topped with delicate foam. As we sipped our drinks, we savored both their rich flavor and the relaxed atmosphere surrounding us.

Fontana Greca

The Greek fountain, believed to be built around 3rd century BC, is just located outside the fort of the old town so we visited this as we headed back to the train station.

We were here in the late afternoon and also watched fishermen and locals transact by the shore. There's also a church that you can visit from here.

Santuario di Santa Maria del Canneto

Where to Stay in Gallipoli?

Coastal towns in Italy tend to be pricey but you can still find a place on a mid-range budget. Check out Centro Storico Casa Nel Cuoro

If you're feeling luxurious, check out the 4-star Palazzo Presta in the center of the old town.

https://www.youtube.com/watch/4yqARfS5ybU

Conclusion

Our day trip to Galatina and Gallipoli from Lecce proved to be a rewarding journey filled with historical marvels, tantalizing flavors, and the ease of travel. Thanks to the convenient train connections, we seamlessly ventured from one town to another, immersing ourselves in their unique charms.

If you want something more convenient and you do not have your own car, getting a private transfer is the way to go. Check out this full day tour of Galatina and Gallipoli. They provide a comfortable airconditioned car with a private driver from Lecce which really makes a difference especially during the hot peak summer season and saves you the long trip in the slow train. You still have the independence to get around and explore on your own. Combine this with the itinerary we have provided above. Have fun!

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Galatina and Gallipoli Day Trip Itinerary from Lecce, Puglia, Italy

Embark on a stress-free excursion starting from Lecce, where we'll explore the captivating towns of Galatina and Gallipoli . These ench...

Galatina and Gallipoli Day Trip Itinerary from Lecce, Puglia, Italy

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Hello traveling friends,

In today's post, I want to start telling you about my upcoming vacation that will last several months, and I'm really excited about it. But most importantly, I'll be sharing it with a very important friend of mine, Giulia, whom I've known since childhood. In these months, we plan to travel around Italy without a predetermined destination, simply going wherever we feel like each day.

I think that sometimes, planning a trip well in advance and deciding exactly how you want your vacation to be isn't very enjoyable. It's nice to organize things as we go along. Our first stop will be Sardinia, a place I've been to several times in my life. Even though I've visited many places in Sardinia, there are still enchanting locations on this beautiful island that I haven't seen.

Another aspect of this trip is that we'll be keeping it very low cost. I don't intend to spend a lot of money. Moreover, I believe that the simplest things are always the best, and I don't consider certain travel comforts to be essential.

Our first destination is Castelsardo, a little-known town in the world that is located in the province of Sassari, in the northwestern part of Sardinia. This area is more naturalistic and deserves to be experienced fully.

This place, situated towards the end of the Gulf of Asinara, is included in the list of the most beautiful villages in Italy. I noticed this immediately from the first few hours I spent here. Even though I'm not particularly interested in art and history, I still enjoy living in and appreciating these beautiful places. My friend Giulia will probably appreciate this place more, especially since she is a graduate and very knowledgeable. In fact, it was mostly her who chose this location.

On our first day, we took a little stroll through the city to admire the architecture and the atmosphere in these small villages. It wasn't too demanding, but there were a lot of people around, and even though it's not widely known, we came across many foreign tourists. We didn't climb to the top of the hill that practically overlooks this village to see the Rocca, which is the castle built by the Doria family. I don't know if we'll visit it tomorrow; we haven't planned our day properly yet.

What struck me about Castelsardo were the shops selling Sardinian handicrafts. We found a man who was making a kind of basket, and it was truly a beautiful experience, especially for someone like me who comes from Milan, a big city, and probably isn't accustomed to encountering these small craft shops. I believe that these shops should be preserved over time because they represent a rich heritage of this Sardinian land.

I only took these photos; we'll see if I can take more to share with you here tomorrow. The idea is certainly to move to other regions, perhaps by taking a ferry. We're still evaluating the costs because unfortunately, it's very expensive to travel during peak season. Nevertheless, it will definitely be an adventurous trip that I haven't done in many years, and I've been craving it, especially after the pandemic period.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I hope you liked the first photos, so stay tuned because there's more to come!

Goodbye, everyone.

 

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The holidays can finally begin!

Hello traveling friends, In today's post, I want to start telling you about my upcoming vacation that will last several months, and ...

The holidays can finally begin!

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Hello everyone, fellow travellers!

I am reading all the posts shared daily in this community and have been fascinated by the beautiful destinations you are suggesting. Thanks to you, I have found a lot of inspiration for my future travels.

Today I want to tell you about a nature reserve that I discovered during the pandemic. I was there for work in the province of Chieti, near the town of Vasto, and this gave me the opportunity to discover this wonderful place. The nature reserve is located on the Abruzzo coast and was declared such in 1998. It is a very naturalistic area, just the way I like it.

I must say that the photos I share here in this post do not do justice to the beauty of this place. From my experience, this nature reserve is even more beautiful in person. It is a perfect place for people who love walking, hiking and taking photos. I remember that time I met many people walking with horses and many photographers. Unlike many beaches and waters in southern Italy, I found everything very clean and wonderful.

As usual, one of the points I criticise about these places is that they are undervalued. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to discover this place by chance, otherwise I probably would never have known it. In addition, you can enter freely without paying a ticket. This is a great advantage for me, since in many parks I have visited, even in the United States, you are not allowed to bring your pet. In this nature reserve, however, animals are allowed and the beach is completely free. This might be seen as a disadvantage by some people, but for me it is a big advantage not having to buy anything.

When visiting these places, it is important to be a little organised and bring things like an umbrella and food and drink. There are no shops or restaurants in this area, but this is a good thing because you don't have to pay to enter. During my trip, I noticed that there was not much rejection because there were probably few people there due to the pandemic. However, it is always important to respect the environment and not leave rubbish behind.

The stony beach of the reserve is only accessible on foot, through a path of about 1.5 kilometres, which will allow you to immerse yourself in nature and appreciate the beauty of this place more intensively. During the summer period, there is also a shuttle bus available for those who do not want to tackle the walk, but in my opinion, walking in the middle of nature is the best experience.

So I recommend this place, especially to the many people I have seen who share their posts in the community here, who have practically embraced the van-life, this life always in a camper or a van, in fact as I was telling you there is a campsite nearby for those who need various connections, but also a beautiful free car park, and this I can tell you from experience is not easy to find around here.

I hope you liked my photos, even though they are old, as I told you they still date back to the period of the pandemic, when in Italy there were a lot of restrictions, but as I always say in bad times sometimes you discover beautiful places, like the case of this reserve.

I wish you a good night, because by the time this post comes out in Italy it will practically be night, see you next time.

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A beautiful nature reserve!

Hello everyone, fellow travellers! I am reading all the posts shared daily in this community and have been fascinated by the beautiful des...

A beautiful nature reserve!

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Today I would like to take you to the discovery of a sanctuary, little known in Italy but which has a very particular story to tell and to discover.

We are located exactly in Soave in the province of Verona, in this small medieval village there is a small sanctuary that was built in the oldest district of the village: Borgo Bassano

The current sanctuary was built and completed in 1838 to thank the Madonna for having saved the inhabitants of the village from cholera, a nasty disease that plagued the area.

There was already a small church built by the friars but it was destroyed to make room for this sanctuary.

way to enterpanorama of the vineyards from the squaresquare

Inside this sanctuary there is the bust of the Virgin Mary, this will tell the legend it was transported from the place where a little shepherd had an apparition.

In fact, the story is very special, a shepherd boy was looking at his sheep when a lady with a splendid light appeared to him and told him to call the parish priest of the village, he went to the parish priest but when he returned he found a statue of the Madonna and the water that it gushed out where his sheep had gone for refreshment.

So the parish priest decided to post the statue in the church.

The entrance is very beautiful with these fake Roman columns.

The church inside is not very illuminated, it is quite small, it is very simple, there are beautiful stained glass windows depicting saints and above there is a beautiful fresco by the Soavese painter mattielli who lived nearby.

In the main altar there is the statue of the Madonna, completely decorated in gold.

On the left there is another room where the donations made by the faithful who receive a grace from the Madonna are kept.

This is the fresco that I was telling you that has been restored a few years ago.

In the sanctuary the Madonna is celebrated in August each year with a procession that starts from the point of the apparition.

Thank you for reading this article, I hope I have made you discover a little-known Sanctuary to the mass but which is worth visiting.

I leave you below a video that I shot again last summer.

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THE SANCTUARY OF BASSANELLA IN SOAVE (VERONA)

Today I would like to take you to the discovery of a sanctuary, little known in Italy but which has a very particular story to tell and to d...

THE SANCTUARY OF BASSANELLA IN SOAVE (VERONA)

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