Lecce and Gallipoli

30/09/2008
Today we drove to Gallipoli via Lecce. Lecce has lots of one way streets which Madam GPS wanted us to go down the wrong way - so we decided to ignore her and found our own way even though it was rather stressful competing with the Italian drivers. Parking was a major problem as everywhere was full so we ended up a fair way from town but still within walking distance.
We spent a couple of hours here strolling th streets window shopping the upmarket boutiques and antique shops and taking in the impressive public art. We checked out an ancient roman ampitheatre in the middle of town and made our way to the Basilica di Santa Croce. The outside of this church is absolutely amazing as it is covered in sculptures and over the top baroque architecture and the mind just can't take it all in. You can't just take one photo as there is so much to focus on you have to do at least 3 or 4.
We arrived in Gallipoli slap bang in the middle of siesta. We had just started to explore when we came across our B & B. The people are very welcoming and we gladly checked out our room and left our luggage. We have a lift between floors which you would mistake for a cupboard -hope we don't get stuck. There are some interesting roman murals painted on the walls on our floor.
Gallipoli turned out to be a good choice. A sleepy seaside town with not too many tourists. There are a few sites of interest and is full of churches.
It seems every brotherhood built a church. There is the church of the brotherhood of blacksmiths, the church of the brotherhood of fishermen etc.
We sat at a bar along the city wall overlooking the sea and Bob enjoyed a couple of beers while participated in a wine or two while nibbling on olives and biscuits and watching a superb sunset.
We found a nice restaurant with a "tourist" menu 3 courses for 18 euro.