london1952 | Jul. 11th, 2011

I think Italy is my most favourite country as a holiday destination, though of course I could be a little biased ! I read a little about Puglia before going, but it didn't prepare me for how beautiful it is, albeit quite a different landscape from other parts of the country.... I loved it !

I guess the fact that the area produces more wine than any other in Italy, and olive oil, means there is a little more money around than in the rest of generally poorer southern parts of the country, and it shows in the upkeep of many historical sites and the restoration being carried out ...it seems most places we visited looked "loved" ! I was quite shocked when we were in Calabria earlier in the year as it mostly looked unloved, looking like little or no public money being spent on saving it's heritage. Rumour has it any money ends up elsewhere !!

Lecce was one of the "top ten" places to visit, and it didn't disappoint, with its wonderfully carved limestone Baroque Duomo - Chiesa di Santa Croce - and many other beautiful buildings, it is nicknamed "The Florence of the South", including the exposed remains of part of a Roman amphitheatre, much of which was built over during the subsequent centuries.