Lecce

So that's all for today.

Next week, we're headed to beautiful Lecce in Puglia.

But until then, it's ciao for now.

The Untold Italy podcast is an independent production.

Accepting that forgiveness after years of involvement with spiritualism proved to be more difficult for Longo.

For a while, Longo returned to southern Italy, where he began practicing criminal law in Lecce.

He completed his education, passed the necessary examinations, and has the opportunity to establish himself professionally.

But he doesn't find the work satisfying.

So, okay.

Sorrento, Naples, Lecce.

They did a food tour the other

day.

But head south and things get considerably more affordable.

In Lecce, located in Puglia, you'll discover beautiful Baroque architecture, wonderful restaurants, and easy access to stunning beaches.

One-bedroom apartments can rent for approximately $600 to $1,000 monthly.

Then there's Tropea, a spectacular coastal town in Calabria, perched above the turquoise waters in white sandy beaches.

It was a fantastic trip.

We started in Lecce, often called the Florence of the South.

It's famous for its magnificent Baroque architecture.

They have an incredible amphitheater there from Roman times and gorgeous cathedrals.

So my now wife and I, uh, decided to obviously go to the wedding, we were invited, and we drove down.

And already 20 years ago we were hearing quite a bit about a particular town in Puglia called Lecce.

L-E-C-C-E And already 20 years ago, Lecce was nicknamed the Florence of the South.

In other words, that it was a town that was as beautiful, that was as charming, and that was as stockfull of art and architecture as Florence was in Tuscany.

So as weddings often are, it was an excuse for us to go down and to take a look for ourselves.

Many of Italy's tomatoes, best tomatoes come from Puglia, as does a great deal of its produce.

Because we are so far south, there's quite a bit of sun down there in the region.

Okay, after the wedding, and we were down in Santa Maria di Leuca, we went to Lecce, and we spent a couple of nights in Lecce, and I realized that everything that people say about Lecce was true.

Now, an apartment covers two genuinely different experiences in Puglia, and the difference matters more than most listings let on.

Old town apartments, one of the defining experiences of Puglia, put you inside the centro storico, Ostuni, Lecce, Otranto's old quarter, Polignano's old town.

Usually in centuries-old building With all the charm and all the limitations that implies.

You're walking distance, or you're within walking distance from everything, which is the entire point.

A courtyard-facing room and a street-facing room in the same building can be completely different vacations.

A genuinely historic building with real character and beautiful architecture details, um, included, including vaulted ceilings and stonework, are often quite common when it comes to old town apartments.

Um, where we stay, well, this is interesting because, um, despite staying in apartments in Bari, in Bari Vecchia, Lecce, Locorotondo, Monopoli, Gallipoli, and many other destinations, there are very few old town apartments that we would recommend or visit again.

There are exceptions.