Real Salento lives inland: forget the hustle-and-bustle of Lecce and the seaside, and adventure into a vast – and wild in all senses- territory. A land with a bucolic heritage, where nature, history and agriculture still permeates every aspects of life. No wonder that now this huge network of small brogues and ancient towns is becoming so attractive to a growing number of expats and serious travellers. Everybody love the sunshine…

Very down south, Specchia, Alessano, Gagliano and Presicce is a group of medieval gems hidden “at the world end”, able to catapult the visitor into another era with a character that is truly unique. ALong with Tricase, this area is loved by many international jet-setters, who regularly spend summer here away from glamour and flashlights. The cultural scene is dynamic too, with the European Film Festival that is now huge after over 20 editions

In the heart of the region, Galatina, Galatone and Nardò are, after Lecce, Salento’s more dynamic areas, all year around. Galatina is probably the most elegant: besides being the true home to local sweet delight “Pasticciotto”, it is renowned for the wonderful palazzos and the Basilica of Santa Caterina, one of Italy’s Bizantine wonders. Nardò is nice too, the magnificence of its baroque is second only to Lecce’s. Many expats have moved here, including a large international gay community. Ancient culture is also strong, as usual in Italy: this is the area of Pizzica, the ancestral rhythm/ritualism of Salento.

Talking about history, the Magna Grecia (greater Greece) is a group of towns between Lecce and Otranto where the Greek heritage is still strong and steady. Melendugno, Castrignano Dei Greci, Vernole, Melpignano, Martano, all deserve a visit – or two- to explore a very deep part of Europe tracing back to prehistory with vivid traces of the ancient Greek era. Not to mention the prehistoric dolmen and menhirs that can be found litterally at every corner.

Last but not least, the area north of Lecce, on the way to Ostuni and the Valle D’Itria is spectacular: Leverano, Campi, and Salice Salentino are all about wine making and an agricultural heritage that keeps staying intact and well radicated. Some of Italy’s very best wine – and grapes – come from here