alltheflavorsandcolors: Puglia (Apulia) region in Italy: 7 towns, 7 stories

Lecce

Lecce, often named "the Florence of the South", due to its beautiful historical buildings, is a charming town, also in the southern part of Puglia region. As many other small Italian towns with stories to be revealed, Lecce has two parts - the modern part and the old historic center, extending alongside cozy streets, bursting with history and art spaces.

Basilica di Santa Croce is the main attraction in Lecce, as it is one of the most beautiful churches from this part of Italy, renowned for its amazing Baroque architecture. The church is made of Lecce stone, with a wonderful light cream coloration. So are many of the buildings and streets in the historic center. This type of stone is named "pietra Leccese".

I highly recommend you to find accommodation in the historic center, in order to really feel the vibe of the town. This area offers plenty of hotels and B&B's to select from. I decided to go for And So B&B (http://andsobnb.com/) and I couldn't have chosen any better. The room was large and cozy and the breakfast served on the rooftop was a real treat, offering a great view over the center of Lecce.

As per local cuisine, I suggest you skip the classical Italian dishes and try the traditional cuisine - the so-called "Cucina Povera", meaning "peasant cooking." It consists mainly of simple pasta and basic plants (tomatoes, beans, broccoli etc.), cooked to perfection. Do try the ear-shaped Orecchiete, a variety of pasta typical to this region.

Polignano a Mare

Polignano a Mare is one of the small towns you cannot miss when in Puglia. It is a seaside town with a beautiful harbor (Porto Bianco), a tiny historic center comprising a maze of charming white streets and old churches and, of course, beautiful beaches, such as Cala Paura, a breathtaking little beach, placed between two cliffs.

Although it has no major attraction, this town makes you fall in love with its unique charm. I arrived at Polignano a Mare during last year's Red Bull cliff diving competition, reason for thousands of people to gather and enjoy the spectacle. The loud music, cheers and good mood vibe made my days in Polignano a Mare even more beautiful than expected.

There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Polignano a Mare. My recommendation is to have lunch or dinner at Ristorante Trattoria Della Nonna (https://www.facebook.com/TrattoriaDellaNonnaPolignano/), famous for the fresh fish and seafood. If you are a careful planner, you may try to book a table at Ristorante Grotta Palazzese, known for having the best view over the Adriatic Sea (https://www.grottapalazzese.it/).

Polignano a Mare is the birthplace of Domenico Modugno, the singer of the famous hit song Volare (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4IjJav7xbg). A statue of Domenico lays near the beach, as a tribute to his talent.

As per accommodation, I stayed at The Loft (https://www.facebook.com/theloftpolignano/). Achille is a very nice host and the apartment itself is a gem: well equipped, hi-tech, spacious and very clean. The host also provides private parking and offers all the information you need in order to enjoy your stay in Polignano a Mare.