Our road trip continued to Gallipoli, a coastal town on the Ionian sea. On the way there, we spent a few hours in Lecce wandering narrow streets of golden sandstone. Afternoon delights included a gelato from pasticceria Natale and unexpected shopping: a perfect straw hat from a local craftsman (has been making hats since 1875!) in a cute well-curated store and a dozen Lanza Le Calze socks made locally in Salento.
In Gallipoli, Palazzo Presta was our base. It is a paradise of maximalist design in the historic center, steps away from the Purità beach. This beach was great for an evening swim the day we arrived. Although it is right by the town walls, the water is so clear you can see everything meters deep. Yet, the true highlight was a day at a beach club (a Palazzo Presta compliment) a few kilometres south of town. Walking to the beach through a pine grove, we could already catch a glimpse of intensely turquoise waters as they appeared in the distance.
Back at Palazzo Presta, the rooftop bar is not to be missed at sunset for aperitivo. The restaurant is good, but we regretted booking both our dinners there and missing out on the lively dining scene just outside the hotel. At night, the warm air smells faintly of fried calamari, tables spill onto the streets, and local families and tourists dine side by side until very late.
