Sorry - no pets allowed Suitable for children No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
Our elegant, sunny 140 sq m first floor apartment in an historic building is located on a quiet street overlooking the castle in the very centre of Lecce, a short stroll from the main square, Piazza Sant’Oronzo. It comprises a reception room, sitting room, master bedroom, 2 smaller bedrooms, kitchen and dining area, bathroom, and shower room. There is also a large sunny terrace, perfect for dining on a warm summer evening! It has very high ceilings, typical of Leccese architecture, and is beautifully airy and bright. It is elegantly furnished with lovingly restored, locally crafted antique furniture and can comfortably accommodate 6 guests (2 couples + 2: 1 double bedroom; 1 double sofa bed; 2 single bedrooms).
We can provide equipment for babies and children upon request.
Basilica di Santa Croce, Lecce
View from the terrace
The terrace
View of terrace from hall
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/32309
The Puglia/Molise region
Puglia is defined first and foremost by the sea - it is flanked by two seas, the Adriatic and the Ionic (so one can see the sun rise and set over the sea on the same day), and its coastline extends for 829 km. The water is exceptionally clean, many beaches have been awarded the prestigious EU Blue Flag, and there are three marine reserves. However, inland one can also find a great variety of landscapes, including forests, plains, wetlands and rocky hills; there are two national parks, two regional parks and several protected areas.
Throughout history Puglia has repeatedly undergone occupation and has thus evolved as a mélange of Greek, Roman, Norman, Arab, French and Spanish culture. The Salento peninsula, the lower part of Puglia and easternmost point of the country (the 'heel'), is the point at which Italy finally gives way to the warm waters of the Mediterranean, and has the feeling of a gateway between East and West. Of great cultural interest are the Uragano towns or 'Grecia Salentina', a small Greek enclave in which the locals speak Griko, a dialect similar to modern Greek.
Lecce provides the perfect base for exploring the Salento peninsula, which promises a varied holiday experience. It offers crystalline sea, a rugged rocky coastline interspersed with beautiful white beaches, and characterful towns such as Otranto (Italy's easternmost city), Gallipoli, Martina Franca, Ostuni (the 'White City') and elegant Santa Maria di Leuca, with its whimisical oriental-style villas. The area's megalithic sites, its isolated 'masserie' or rural villas, and its chain of coastal towers and fortresses all add greatly to its mysterious beauty. Moving a little further north, the town of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996, with its unique ‘trulli’ (characteristic stone cone-shaped dwellings) is unmissable. The famous Zinzulusa caves are well worth a visit (and offer superb diving opportunities for the daring!) Inland one can explore the national parks by bicycle or on horseback or simply admire the silence and serenity of the area’s centuries-old olive groves.
Puglia’s vigorous cuisine, comprising delicious local produce, olives, wine, and fresh seafood, is among the most varied and healthy in Italy, and Puglia is Italy’s main producer of grain and olive oil. The wine is also of a very high standard. One can find plenty of excellent (and economical) restaurants in idyllic countryside and coastal locations. The gourmet traveller would be advised to look for the many 'sagre' which take place in the area; these are festivals celebrating specific local delicacies.
Salento is the pearl of Puglia - it remains unspoilt and undiscovered by mass tourism, and has a characteristic Mediterranean, ‘frontier’ feel. It offers the visitor the perfect combination of art, natural beauty, excellent cuisine and wine, and a great climate.
Lecce area
Lovers of Italian art and culture who stray off the beaten track, arriving as far south as Lecce, will be richly rewarded. This elegant city owes its unique interpretation of baroque architecture to the local pink-tinged stone, which is extremely malleable and lends light to the streets. Visitors can admire the Piazza del Duomo and the Basilica Santa Croce, among Italy’s unsung treasures; the ruins of the Roman amphitheatre and the Greek theatre; or simply amble through winding streets enjoying the relaxed pace of life.
How to get there
The nearest airport is Brindisi, 30 km from Lecce. The low-cost carrier Ryanair offers daily flights from Stansted, and there will be greater availability after the completion of the current expansion of Brindisi airport. There is a regular bus service from Brindisi airport to Lecce. All major car hire companies are represented; Maggiore tends to offer particularly good deals (http://www.maggiore.it).
Flights to Bari are often cheaper and easier to find, and it’s easy to get to Lecce by car or by rail (see http://www.trenitalia.com). Internal flights can be obtained from other major Italian cities with Alitalia (check their website for special offers) or other low-cost companies such as Airone. Easyjet are introducing flights between Milan and Bari in October.
By road, Lecce is connected to Bari and Brindisi by the SS613, and to Taranto by the SS7 ter. There is an excellent (and very scenic!) road network in Salento enabling one to reach all parts of the peninsula rapidly and comfortably.
A trip to Lecce and Salento could even be combined with a trip to Greece, as there are regular ferries from Brindisi.
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Brindisi: 30 km
Railway:
Lecce: 2 km
Ferry:
Brindisi: 30 km
Activities near Lecce
Sports: Watersports Horse Riding Golf within 30 mins drive
Great for: Beach or lakeside relaxation City breaks
Sofabeds (1), Single beds (2), Double beds (1), Dining seating for 6, Lounge seating for 4, Sleeps maximum of 6
Other:
Linen and towels provided.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace
Further details outdoors: At the front of our house there are two small balconies, ideal for watching the world go by and enjoying some fresh air. At the back there is a large terrace, perfect for basking in the sun, complete with a gazebo and dining table for 6 and ample space for children to play.
Further details
We respectfully request that you do not smoke inside the house.
Conditions
We request a £100 breakages deposit to be paid upon arrival, to be refunded within 2 weeks of departure.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: British £
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
1 July - 31 August 2008:
1 Jul 08
1 Sep 08
500£ 500
0-
0-
1 Week
1 September - 31 October
1 Sep 08
1 Nov 08
450£ 450
0-
0-
1 Week
1 November - 31 December
1 Nov 08
1 Jan 09
400£ 400
0-
0-
1 Week
21
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion.
1 July - 31 August 2007: up to 4 persons £450
1 September - 31October 2007: up to 4 persons £400
1 November - 31 December 2007: up to 4 persons£350
Please contact us for tariff information if you wish to stay for a shorter period.
We also require a breakages deposit of £100 to be paid upon arrival; this will be refunded within 2 weeks of your departure.
Availability notes
To see availability please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/32309
Click to view availability for this property.
Contact owner
To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/32309