Lecce
Brindisi
Copyright: GoneWithTheWind/Shutterstock.comLecce
About 40 km (25 miles) southeast of Brindisi, Lecce is the jewel of the Apulia region. A historic town with a treasury of Baroque churches and mansions, a dramatic Roman theatre on its main square, and a sturdy medieval castle that is in the process of being turned into a centre for the arts. It has some excellent hotels and plenty of bars and restaurants.
Do & See
The eighteenth-century Baroque period has left its own mark on towns such as Francavilla Fontana, Lecce and Ostuni. These towns are set on sunlit hilltops that rise like islands above a rolling landscape of olive groves and vineyards - do take time to explore those stunning places, using Brindisi as a base or even spending a night or two. Brindisi itself has, of course, a wealth of architectural sites and curious spots to explore - from old forts to remains of Roman presence to the lively port promenade.