Lecce

Have you tried tripadvisor.com as well? Lecce doesn't get many American tourists compared to other parts of Italy.

I'll look at tripadvisor. Thanks!

Jerry, I just came back from the European Travel Festival in Edmonds today and personally asked Rick Steves why he doesn't promote travel into the "heel" (Lecce specifically), and his reply was that it is an area not as prosporous or culturally vibrant as the other main areas he tours. Although he did say that this was not a negative reply about the area, only that it's an area all to it's own and is the type of area to go to after several trips.
I personnally asked as i am wanting to go there for a cooking school experiance that comes highly recommended from a well seasoned traveler that shared his experiance in Lecce. Awaitingtable.com may be too much about a cooking school, but not a bad site for info on the area and local fare. Good Luck! Bob/Sequim WA

I'm heading to Lecce in May and have been trying to do research. Lonely Planet has a dedicated Puglia & Basilicata book that has more information than most other guidebooks. The same couple of restaurants keep coming up EVERYWHERE, namely La Zie/Casareccia http://www.lezietrattoria.com/ but I can't give personal experience yet.

Hello and Thanks! The info on Lecce is greatly appreciated. I have been to Italy several times and this is the only place left unturned. I understand the Puglia region has become the retirement destination for Brits? Cheap prices, great seafood, warm sandy beaches....

I understand the Puglia region has become the retirement destination for Brits? Not that I've heard.... mostly Tuscany, but that still comes in a distant second to the Costa Brava.

Hmm, guess my info is incorrect.

Dunno, Jerry. It may be correct. Just what I perceive here, from television, newspapers, etc.

Somewhere I read an article stating that Tuscany had gotten too expensive, Umbria was following in that path so Le Marche and Puglia were where Brits found housing to be less expensive. Also the article said Puglia had nice beaches, good seafood and warmer weather. Maybe we ought to contact a realtor that services Puglia and get the scoop?