Reviews
(3)
4.67 /5

Discovering Lecce

$761
Duration
4 days
Difficulty
Previous
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A mesmerizing feast of baroque architecture, Lecce dazzles the eye with its resplendent historical center, which is lined with buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries. You’ll find dozens of striking churches and palazzi, along with a Norman-style castle and a trove of excellent museums. Lecce has been inhabited for over 2000 years, and you can see ancient Roman ruins in a horseshoe-shaped amphitheatre that once held 15,000 spectators. 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Lecce:  the most beautiful city in Puglia, the Baroque masterpiece of southern Italy. Sometimes described as the 'Rome of the South', with a long history of rich architecture and art.

Inclusions

  • Operated with English or Italian-speaking guide on shared basis (Day 1, 3)
  • 3 nights’ accommodation
  • 3 Breakfasts
  • Lunch during cooking class (Day 2)
  • Shared transportation (Day 3)
  • All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: evening guided walking tour in Lecce (Day 1), cooking class (Day 2), day trip to the Puglia countryside with wine tasting (Day 3)

Exclusions

  • Arrival and departure transfers between the airport or train station and the hotel
  • City tax not included, payable on the spot
  • Visa fees
  • International or domestic flights 
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions section, drinks during meals
  • Optional tours (if any)
  • Any visit not mentioned in the program
  • Tips and gratuities  
  • Expenditures of a personal nature or items not stated explicitly in the program
  • Any alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, mineral water, camera/video camera fee (if any)
  • Travel Insurance or any loss or extra cost arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays, accidents, etc.

Tour Plan

Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1 ARRIVAL LECCE

Upon your arrival in Lecce reach the hotel on your own and check in (transfer available as an optional extra).  In the afternoon, enjoy a small group walking tour of the city (the tour starts at 15.00 hrs). In the evening, enjoy a private walking tour of the city. Discover the elegance and refinement of Lecce, a city that echoes history and art, on a 3-hour walking tour! Begin your walking experience in Piazza Sant'Oronzo and stroll through the historic center admiring Lecce's Baroque churches and monuments. During the tour, you will come across many artisan shops, that produce artefacts practicing the ancient art of papier-mâché. Your guide will tell you all you need to know about the importance of the city's Baroque art and the historical influences from the Roman era. Admire the Duomo, the Basilica of Santa Croce, the amphitheatre, and the Roman Theatre. Continue walking by the Castle of Charles V and have a look at its exterior as well as the facades of various ancient buildings.

Overnight in Lecce.

Day 2 LECCE

After breakfast you will enjoy a small group tour to discover the famous culinary culture in Apulia. Attend a private cooking class in the morning or in the afternoon, learn the secrets of the Lecce recipes and have fun by learning how to reproduce the Italian specialities at home. Connect with local people, meet the Cesarina at her home and learn all her secrets to prepare local specialties. Finally, taste the fruit of your labor and experience the authentic flavors of Lecce cuisine paired with a selection of local red and white wines, as the Cesarine offer only wines of the territory.

Le Cesarine is Italy’s first network of home cooks coordinated at a national level by a dedicated staff. The Cesarine are welcoming ambassadors of the Italian culinary heritage, animated by an authentic passion for traditional Italian cuisine. Every Cesarina has been carefully selected by experts to host gastronomic events in their own homes with local produce and refined menus, the result of authentic local recipes, handed down from generation to generation.

Overnight in Lecce.

Day 3 LECCE – PUGLIAN VINEYARDS – LECCE

After breakfast you’ll have the opportunity to discover the soul of Puglia with a guided vineyard visit and wine tasting in the heart of Negroamaro country. Just outside Lecce, this immersive experience takes you deep into a land shaped by ancient winemaking traditions, rich landscapes, and authentic local flavors. Begin your journey in the charming town of Guagnano with a visit to a historic winery, where you will learn about the traditions that have defined this region and the careful preservation of native grape varieties such as Negroamaro and Primitivo. Enjoy a guided walk through the vineyards, where the ancient Alberello training method is still practised, and discover the history, techniques, and passion that drive each harvest as you stroll among the vines. The experience continues with a visit to a truly unique artistic hermitage inspired by Gaudí, created by a local painter as a space dedicated to reflection, art, and nature, adding a distinctive cultural dimension to your time in the wine region. The tour concludes with a guided tasting led by a sommelier, featuring four exclusive wines paired with a traditional marenna, a rustic Puglian snack made with local cheeses and cured meats. Set across vineyards stretching between Guagnano and Campi Salentina, Feudi di Guagnano offers a diverse perspective on the region’s terroir and delivers an authentic and enriching insight into the wine identity of southern Italy. 

Overnight in Lecce.

Day 4 DEPARTURE LECCE

Enjoy your last breakfast in Lecce and if time permits take the last walk to say “arrivederci” to the city or do some shopping. Transfer to the airport or train station is available as an optional extra.

Meeting / Pickup

Meet on location: This experience has no pick-up service, customers have to make their way to our meeting point.

Please Note

  • Please note that for some tours/activities you will need to reach the meeting point on your own if the transportation is not specified in the itinerary.
  • Please note that only the activities will be shared with other guests.
  • Only one bag per person is allowed (any size) plus one hand luggage.
  • We reserve the right to change itineraries and activities due to weather conditions, technical problems or security reasons.
  • Early check-in, late check-out, connecting or adjoining rooms in the hotel are subject to availability and not guaranteed
  • No refund for unused services. Splitting of the package is not allowed  

Cancellation Policy

Fully refundable until 9 days before start

Non-refundable after 9 days before start

Reviews

4.67/5
Wonderful
3 verified reviews
Location (4.33/5)
Amenities (5/5)
Services (5/5)
Price (4/5)
Rooms (5/5)

3 Comments

  1. 4.8

    • Location
    • Amenities
    • Services
    • Price
    • Rooms

    Exploring the baroque wonders of Lecce in Italy was simply enchanting, with its stunning architecture and vibrant culture. We especially loved the culinary delights, from local cheeses to fresh seafood, but the only downside was that some meals felt a bit rushed.

  2. 4.6

    • Location
    • Amenities
    • Services
    • Price
    • Rooms

    From the moment we stepped into the vibrant streets adorned with stunning architecture, we were captivated by the charm that surrounded us. One evening, we savored a delightful cooking class where we not only learned to make traditional dishes but also shared laughter and stories with fellow travelers, which made for a memorable experience. While the accommodations were comfortable, we found that our overnight stay in the unique trulli could have used a bit more attention to detail, yet the overall adventure left us with lasting memories of culinary delights and breathtaking sights.

  3. 4.6

    • Location
    • Amenities
    • Services
    • Price
    • Rooms

    We had an unforgettable time discovering the region’s stunning architecture, especially the intricate baroque details that left us in awe at every turn. The culinary experiences were a highlight, with each meal a delightful adventure, showcasing local flavors that truly made our taste buds dance. However, we did feel that some parts of the itinerary could have included a bit more downtime to soak it all in, but the charm of the trulli and the vibrant local culture more than made up for it.

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