Off we go to Lecce on the Salento Peninsula of Apulia

Italian trains are amazing and today we enjoyed one of their best, the Frecciarossa.  From Rome we headed south, right down to the heel ot Italy, to the city of Lecce in the Salento region. It was a trip of almost 6 hours in a fast and modern train and the smoothness of the ride was amazing, even when doing almost 300 kph. The other stand-out feature was the quiet, people do not talk very much on trains and announcements remind passengers not to use their phones.

With a trip of about 600 kms, the scenery varied a lot. Initially very steep mountains which gave way to productive farm land. As the scenery changed so did the style of housing, adapting to the hotter climate and the variable historic aspects of the area.

Our apartment is a palace! I don't imagine it is very old (in Italian terms)  but it is huge, decorative, beautifully planned ... and it has an elevator. Immediately opposite the front entrance is what looks like an archealogical dig site. I fear a development plan has come to a stop because historic ruins have been found. I hope to find out more about this. Anyway, it means that a good photo of the front of the palace is not possible, but here is a side view. 

This is the view when you step through the huge doors into the foyer

The lift is an indicator that the palace isn't several hundred years old.

Our lovely young hostess has left us some gifts. Two pastries, the speciality of Lecce and a kit to make frise, also a local favourite.

This was the reason I chose this apartment. A large outdoor room, better than a balcony, where we can relax and unwind from the the hectic past two weeks.

 

After settling in and getting a load of washing going we went out to find a supermarket. I am back to providing meals! It's always fun at the supermarket as we find new things to try and old favourites to enjoy once again. That done we headed to the nearest bar where our Spritzes came with a bowl of taralli and one of olives.

Lecce is looking very appealing already and we haven't even seen the old city. Our palazzo is right on the edge of the historic centre.