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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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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A few months ago I was in the countryside for work and I took the opportunity to pay a visit to Benevento to visit this important theater that has come down to our days because it must be remembered that the Campania region is not only famous for Vesuvius and Naples but also for other architectural assets such as this splendid theater.

In fact this beautiful theater was built by the emperor Hadrian in 126 after Christ enlarged by Caracalla later, but from the photos you do not have the perception of its dimensions which are really huge we are talking about 90 meters in diameter and could hold up to 15,000 spectators, I think that it was a lot for the time.

I have seen some Roman theaters but this really impressed me, also because it must be understood that there were three orders of arches but only the first is preserved and unfortunately a small part of the second.

The only criticism we can make is that unfortunately it is a bit poorly maintained as unfortunately I have seen so many monuments here in the south perhaps we should have a little more attention to this magnificent theater.

In the summer it was written that it is highly valued with many concerts that are held here and this is a really beautiful location for a concert especially because it manages to be a very intimate thing.

It is something that I love to go to concerts in these historic places because they were once thought of also to bring out the acoustics and therefore have a better sound to hear.

Outside there are also some small historical artifacts probably found during the excavations near this splendid theater and for those interested the entrance to the theater is really convenient because you pay only 4 Euro which in my opinion is really a low price for the value. that you go to see.

Yes, because we must remember that this theater was completely buried during the Lombard period and thanks A great archaeologist of the 1900s who was brought to light now we hope that it will be enhanced over time so if you are near Naples Take a leap because it is really worth it.

 

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The Roman theater of Benevento

A few months ago I was in the countryside for work and I took the opportunity to pay a visit to Benevento to visit this important theater th...

The Roman theater of Benevento

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The upcoming weeks don't seem like bringing any new trips for me and my family, hence why the post picked for today's article was from a very colorful place which represents perfectly how I see Christmas holidays in general.

This is not just because of all the decorations and everything because, frankly speaking, it's a holiday that brings lots of joy, happiness, emotions, and cool vibes that could easily be turned into different colors that reach everyone's heart in one way or another.

The one I'm talking about is Bepi's House from Burano Island.
If you've heard of Venice, then most likely you've heard about Murano and Burano which are two nearby islands that are equally worth a visit and most of the tourists who visit Venice end up booking a ride to these islands too, which honestly gave me an incredibly good mood being able to walk through so much color.
I know I haven't prepared a post with either of these islands yet, which is also the main reason why I won't give too many spoilers about them, but as a quick resume, Italy is well known for being one of the most colorful countries, having Burano as the world's most colorful island due to all the colorful houses.
A short explanation would be that most of the people living in this part of the world had jobs on the sea, and during the night or when it was foggy outside, they needed very powerful guidance to reach their homes, leading to picking vibrant colors for each house that is currently resting on Burano island.

Though, as most of the houses are focused on a single color without too many architectural designs, Bapi's House was taken to the next level, adding more colors to the same building, along with geometrical shapes that make everything even more interesting. All these aspects led to earning the title of the most colorful house on the island, which could easily compete with those found as the world's most colorful houses. Anyway, this article found on the internet is from 2014, so most likely many things have changed since then.

And yes, there was no way to reach the house other than walking through narrow paths between lots of other colorful houses that even though don't catch so much attention as Bepi's House, they still have an important contribution to painting the whole scenery with lots of shades.

Additionally, the house is also known as Bepi of Candies which made sure not to have any of the rainbow's color miss from its facade, and the name is not randomly given.

As everyone would expect, the one behind this colorful house is no one else but Bepi which is just a nickname while the real name is Giuseppe Toselli who was always a lover of painting and movies.
The second passion was born while he was working at the Cinema Favin but when this one was closed he started selling sweets at Burano's Galuppi Square which is where the name of Bepi of Candies started.
But as there are many tourists coming by and being impressed by the colors of the house which is a lot easier to remember under a short name, Bepi's House represents a better known name for everyone.
For those of you who managed to visit Burano during the '80s, it seems like there used to be organized outdoor cinema sessions during the summer evenings that were entirely dedicated to children throwing cartoons and funny movies in the improvised cinema.

While this tradition was lost on the way when Bepi died, the house didn't lose any of its popularity, making it become part of postcards and be recognized as the most colorful house on the island, and somewhere on the world's top as well.

Quite the opposite from what people envisioned Bepi, including me, those who met him said that he used to be a very strange man who was always painting new geometric shapes on his house every afternoon, which was a big contrast with the things you could notice inside the house, including dark colors, strange and very old objects, and lots of television and film recorders.

This is something that describes pretty much how easy is to get fooled by a person who might be smiling but being completely lost and ruined on the inside.

Click on the images to see them in full resolution

After Bepi died, the house was constantly restored keeping its facade the same as the original, but visiting it on the inside or finding out more about its past and the one who made it earn the title of the most colorful house on the island, is not an available option at the moment.

Either way, even just seeing it from the outside or making your way towards it which will take you through many colorful paths, it's still an experience that I loved and did bring lots of smiles to my face as well as good vibes that I can still feel in one way or another when accessing these memories from my brain.

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The Bepi's House is located in Burano which is an island that can only be reached with a boat or water taxi. The house is just around the main square of Burano and it's reachable by following very narrow little streets that represent a great experience until the destination.

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Let's travel together #279 - Bepi's House (Burano's most colorful house)

The upcoming weeks don't seem like bringing any new trips for me and my family, hence why the post picked for today's article wa...

Let's travel together #279 - Bepi's House (Burano's most colorful house)

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