Villa Messapia

All the attractions of Salento are waiting to be explored. First stop may well be one of the Puglian beaches spread along the Adriatic Sea. Standout among these is Torre dell’Orso (five minutes’ drive), with clear water backed by cliffs and a pair of well-known rock stacks called the Two Sisters in the middle of the bay. Caves like Grotta del Pepe dot the coastline, and there are rock arches as well as calm blue pools for sea swimming at Grotta del Canale (both five minutes). For a spot of city sightseeing, it’s hard to beat Otranto (20 minutes), where you can pace the castle’s ramparts for gorgeous sea views, have look at the medieval mosaics in the Romanesque cathedral and graze on aperitivo snacks along the seafront promenade. Lovely Lecce (half an hour) rewards a visit with a Roman amphitheatre, a mighty castle and a dazzling array of Baroque-era architecture. Stroll its piazzas in the early evening, select one of scores of terrace cafés and take front-row seats to watch the locals drift past on their evening walks.