The baroque architecture in Lecce is anything but subtle - it is definitely a case of more is more! Gargoyles, statues and carvings grace almost every brick in every building in the historic centre - earning Lecce the nickname of "the Florence of the South". Lecce flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries as part of the Kingdom of Naples (ruled from Aragon in Spain) and became one of the most important and richest cities in the Mediterranean. The centro storico is easy to walk around and jam packed with interesting sites making it a brilliant place for a day out.

Otranto was a hugely important port during Roman times and its proximity to Greece / Albania (it is the most easterly point of mainland Italy which means that it has had a particularly "exciting" history). The views across the harbour are fantastic and beyond a couple of streets of tourist shops, the historic centre is a connected via some beautiful small alleyways. The Aragonese castle and the Cathedral are worth a particular visit - the cathedral is famous for its mosaic floor depicting the "tree of life" that dates back to around 1160. Definitely worth bringing some swimming gear as there is a nice beach in the harbour to help everyone cool off.

The centro storico of Martina Franca is truly representative of this part of Italy. It is a real rabbit warren of white-washed walled alleyways leading up to the main street that connects the main squares in the town. The main street is quite touristy but there are some lovely little shops along the way. However, it is best to visit Martina Franca in the early evening, find a seat at one of the cafes / bars on the main pedestrian street in the old town and just watch the locals performing their daily passeggiata (evening stroll through town) whilst sipping a cold glass of beer before having dinner in one of the restaurants on Piazza Maria Immacolata. A superb way to spend a summer evening.

Ostuni is known as "The White City" and it is not exactly difficult to guess why. Built on a hill overlooking a plateau by the sea - the views of the city from below and those from the top of the city looking out towards the sea are staggeringly beautiful. The main climb up through the old street to the top of the town is superb - although in places it can be quite steep, so it is definitely worth browsing in a couple of shops on the way up.
When you do reach the top there are a couple of fairly good cafes serving cold drinks and gelato as a reward. The market on Saturday morning is also well worth a visit.

If you then take the quieter streets down the other side of the hill you can avoid the crowds and then walk around the wide promenade at the foot of the city walls back to your starting point.

Being so close to Alberobello (which we have included in our Recommended Family Days Out) and the land of the trulli (look like hobbit houses), Locorotondo sometimes seems to miss out. However, it is a star in its own right and is in our opinion correctly listed as one of the 9 towns from Puglia (along with Otranto) that feature in the Most Beautiful Towns in Italy. Meaning "round place" the town is located on top of a hill overlooking the Itria Valley - and the views are spectacular. However, what we really like about the town is to escape off into the side streets leading away from the main square just through the town gate. It is a magical collection of alleyways, beautiful buildings and stunning balconies. It is a fantastic place to stop for coffee and a leisurely stroll before descending into Alberobello. Alternatively, we think the overall quality of restaurants is much higher and so it makes a good spot for lunch or dinner too.