Lecce - Bari summer route

About the destination: Lecce is a historical city located in the Apulia region of Italy, and serves as the capital of the Lecce province. The city is often referred to as "The Florence of the South" due to its abundance of Baroque architectural structures. Lecce boasts a charming historical center (centro storico), where visitors can spend countless hours wandering through quaint alleyways and discovering hidden Baroque churches. While the city's architecture is its main artistic attraction, it doesn't quite match up to the artistic prowess of northern cities like Florence and Rome in other art forms, such as painting. The city is centered around two main squares: Piazza Sant'Oronzo and Piazza del Duomo. Piazza Sant'Oronzo serves as the city's civic center, a large square where the old and the new coexist, albeit somewhat uneasily. Piazza del Duomo, on the other hand, offers a unique take on the typical Italian cathedral square. In Lecce, the cathedral is situated in one corner of a dramatic enclosed square, providing a tranquil space in the city's heart.

About the destination: Brindisi is a city located in the southern part of Italy, specifically in the "heel of the boot" in the Apulia region, along the Adriatic Sea coast. Historically, due to its strategic location on the Italian Peninsula and its natural port on the Adriatic Sea, the city has been a significant player in trade and culture. Today, it continues to be a major port for trade with Greece and the Middle East. Brindisi is nestled between two deep bays that connect to the open sea through a narrow and deep channel. The Castello Rosso (Red Castle), named for the unique color of the stone used in its construction, overlooks this channel. The Swabian Castle, on the other hand, overlooks the port's western channel and is currently a venue for significant cultural events. Notable sights include the Church of San Giovanni al Sepolcro, which features a beautifully and intricately decorated marble portal, and the Colonna Romana (Roman Column). This column once had a "twin" that is now part of the structure of the famous Colonna di Sant’Oronzo in Lecce. The city's coast is dotted with beautiful sandy beaches, washed by the clear waters of the Adriatic Sea.

About the destination: Despite being a large, modern city, Bari has managed to maintain the unique ambiance of a small town. This city blends ancient structures and stern gothic castles with new shopping centers and restaurants, enhancing Bari's attractiveness and elegance. Take a stroll through the city center's narrow streets to reach the Bari Cathedral. Constructed in the 12th century, its crypt is a masterpiece of Baroque art. In these winding streets, another excellent example of Baroque architecture stands - the beautiful San Nicola church, built a thousand years ago. The Castello Normanno Svevo, constructed in 1132, is one of the city's most notable landmarks. The Archaeology Museum is another point of interest in Bari, as excavations in the old city continue to this day, providing the museum with a steady stream of new exhibits. While the daytime is typically reserved for leisurely walks in shaded valleys, Bari transforms into a bustling discotheque at night. Trendy bars, pubs, and clubs are ready to entertain guests until the break of dawn.