Information - Itineraries

In Salento nature is as rich and varied as the culture. South of Otranto the Adriatic coastline is characterised by steep cliffs and rocky coasts whereas further North, all along the most of the Ionian side up to Gallipoli, one finds long stretches of golden sandy beaches which are ideal for children, sunbathers and less adventurous swimmers. The sea is crystal clear, covering the complete spectrum of turquoises and azures and is ideal for snorkelling and fishing. There are also many interesting marine caves to explore. On a clear day you can see some of the Greek Ionian islands, which are about one hour away by boat from Leuca. Inland, ancient olive trees and vineyards are to be found, all of which are bordered by dry stone walls constructed throughout the centuries to free the fields of stones and mark boundaries. Nestled in the well-preserved Mediterranean countryside you can still find the entire selection of traditional Salentine stone dwellings, ranging from the primitive paiara (stone shelters), whose design dates back to thousands of years ago, to the more elegant masseria which is a large fortified farmhouse. There are no large industries in Salento, therefore the landscape has remained basically unspoilt. Walking along the one of the many little lanes in the interior of Salento there are few signs of the modern world, where the silence is broken only by the sound of the cicadas and birds.

The climate is typically Mediterranean, cooled by the onshore sea breezes. Salento enjoys a very pleasant climate all year round. Summer here is exceptionally long and dry and one can swim for six months of the year.
Autumn is soft. Winter is very short and is often interrupted by the so called ‘January dries', a local Indian summer. Spring starts early and in February the blooms on the almond trees appear and the fields are covered in wild flowers. The tides are small, with a range of about 30 cm. The predominant winds are the Scirocco (SE) which is warm and damp, the Libeccio (SW) which is much warmer and dry, and during the fine weather the fresh winds from the North (N-NW) are very pleasant in the heat of the Salentine summer.

Salento - History and art - Traditions - Crafts - Food and wine - Land and sea - Towns and cities - Flora and fauna - Climate - Information

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