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We leave our accommodation in Alimini towards Lecce

City: Alimini (12 km from Otranto)
Accommodation: Tenuta Russo
Location: 40°13’39.8″N 18°26’11.2″E
3 nights, from July 09th, 2023 to July 12th, 2023
Price: €278 (€93 / night)
Booked with Booking.com

We stop near Lecce at the shopping center “Centro Commerciale Mongolfiera Lecce”.

We take the opportunity to rest a little and do some shopping in the hypermarket « Ipercoop »

We continue to our third accommodation in Puglia. It is located in the village of Copertino. It is possible to park (for a fee) in the street of the accommodation« Via Tenente Giuseppe Colaci »

City: Copertino
Accommodation: Royal House
Address: Via Tenente Giuseppe Colaci, 7, 73043 Copertino
Location: 40°16’17.4″N 18°02’57.7″E
3 nights, from July 12th, 2023 to July 15th, 2023
Price: €192 (€64 / night)
Booked with Booking.com

It is a beautiful, modern and well-equipped apartment. The owner welcomed us with his son and they are kind and helpful. It’s perfect

After a short break, we head to the beach « Spiaggia libera » in Torre Lapillo for a nice swim

We spend the evening quietly in Copertino

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For our first wake-up in Copertino, we head towards Porto Cesareo

Porto Cesareo is a seaside resort known for its fine sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and relaxing atmosphere. It is an old fishing village, and its port is still animated by traditional boats.

We find a paid parking lot: Parcheggio comunale Porto Cesareo (40°16’28.4″N 17°52’36.6″E). We pay €3 for 2 and a half hours.

We choose the Lido “Le Dune” (40°16’20.7″N 17°52’45.6″E) in Porto Cesareo. And we LOVE IT

The Lido Le Dune is one of the most popular places in the area to spend a day by the sea. It has a relaxed atmosphere with an exceptional setting.
It is located on a fine sandy beach
The lido offers sun loungers and umbrellas, perfect for relaxing, as well as a bar and a restaurant offering local specialties.
Visitors can enjoy the sea for swimming, paddle boarding or simply relaxing in the sun.

After a wonderful swim, we return to Copertino for a short break.
In the afternoon, we leave for Gallipoli:

We park just before the entrance to the ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) in the Parcheggio Lungomare Marconi car park (40°03’23.2″N 17°58’56.2″E). We pay €7 for 3 and a half hours.

We start our tour of Gallipoli with the historic center which is located on a small island connected to the mainland by a bridge.
We stroll through its narrow and picturesque streets to discover its white houses and admire the typical architecture of Puglia.

We arrive at the Castle of Gallipoli. It is a medieval fort located on the waterfront
We continue towards the Cathedral of Sant’Agata. It is a baroque building located on the main square of Gallipoli

We visited Gallipoli in the evening, but know that if you want to enjoy the sea, Gallipoli has beautiful beaches like Baia Verde with its crystal clear waters and fine sand.

We finish our tour of Gallipoli and return to Copertino. For dinner, we have Pizzas at « Trattoria pizzeria Al canneto di Alemanno Gabriele » (Largo Giuseppe Mazzini, 45, 73043 Copertino). Their Pizzas are delicious.

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For our second wake-up in Copertino, we want to start the day with a swim.
We loved Lido Le Dune (40°16’20.7″N 17°52’45.6″E) in Porto Cesareo so much that we come back.

The atmosphere is wonderful, the food is good. The beach is perfect with good entertainment.

The Lido Le Dune in Porto Cesareo has a privileged location, offering a nice view of the crystal clear waters. It is located on a fine sandy beach, protected by magnificent dunes. The atmosphere is relaxing and friendly, perfect for families and groups of friends

For lunch, we choose a well-rated sandwich shop specializing in seafood : « Poisson » (Via della Resistenza, 12, 73010 Torre Lapillo)

After a short nap at our accommodation in Copertino, we head to Lecce to spend the evening. As expected, finding a parking space is a very complicated task.
We finally find a parking space at « Parcheggio custodito Ex Gil » (40°21’18.8″N 18°10’01.6″E)

We spend our evening in Lecce.
Lecce is nicknamed the “Florence of the South”. This city offers a magical experience, combining history, culture and a lively atmosphere.
We start with a tour of the historic center and its picturesque streets. The Via Vittorio Emanuele II street is very lively

We pass by the Piazza del Duomo. It is a true architectural gem. We admire the magnificent façade of the Cathedral of Lecce, as well as the golden stone buildings characteristic of the city’s Baroque style.

We pass through the square “Piazza Sant’Oronzo”. It has a pleasant atmosphere in the middle of a historical place.
Lecce is a real open-air museum, and visiting its monuments illuminated at night is an unforgettable experience. The Roman Theatre and the Basilica di Santa Croce are particularly beautiful under the night lights.

We finish our evening in Lecce and return to our accommodation to rest.

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