Apulia is one of Italy's top holiday destinations for both domestic and international tourists. Especially the area of Salento with its fine white sandy beaches, as well as the famous Maldives of Salento, which attract hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers every year who, after diving into the crystal-clear sea, are dazzled by the beauty of cities like Lecce.

Lecce, golden hues and baroque style

Lecce is a city of art that attracts visitors all year round, especially in summer. The colours of this city in Salento are truly captivating. The enveloping shades come from the material from which the buildings are made: pietra leccese (Lecce stone). When you come across it, you will immediately recognise it because it’s the stone typically used in the traditional Apulian masserias (farms). In recent years, these have become the location of choice for many newly-weds for their celebrations. Don’t worry, you don’t need to get married to visit a masseria.

Dinner at a masseria, amid saffron-tinged lights and stars

Masserias are ancient buildings that housed farms and farming families.  Often, this is still the case today, except that some of the farms have been adapted to accommodate tourists and people wishing to spend pleasant moments surrounded by nature.

Dinners, especially in the summertime, take place in the outdoor courtyard of the masserias surrounded by olive trees, soft lights allowing stargazing and the iconic Lecce stone. While enjoying the many excellent local dishes, you can also take this opportunity to wear some of your most elegant clothes. Some masserias have retained their rural mood, but others have been modernised to become true jewels of contemporary design. This is a time for precious fabrics and shades from the blue of the evening sky to the golden shade of the stone.

Walks among the olive groves, shades of green and the scent of the Mediterranean

Apulia, Salento and Lecce more than ever, are known for being the land of olive trees. These imposing and fragrant trees, with their gnarled texture and deep green hues that can’t go unnoticed, dominate the Lecce landscape and offer one of the area's most delicious and iconic products: olive oil. Apulian oil is exported all over the world and is appreciated for its strong flavour and exquisite taste. If you’re on holiday in Apulia, an activity that absolutely cannot be missed is oil tasting, which some farms organise for visitors.

It’s a truly immersive experience in the flavours and aromas of the territory. On top of enjoying excellent aperitifs accompanied by the famous oil and traditional products, you can meet and listen to the stories of those who have inherited the historic family businesses and transformed the with a contemporary twist, thus attracting young people and tourists from all over the world..

If you are wondering what the perfect look could be for an aperitif and a stroll among the olive trees, we suggest you go for the same shades of green that will envelop you during your stay, as well as the colours of the earth, from brown to sand.

The sea of Salento: subtle textures and aquamarine hues

As we mentioned above, the Salento region is world-famous for its ultra-fine white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, which have earned some areas the title of Maldives of Salento. The beauty and fame of these beaches clearly make them very busy in the summer, but don't worry, there are always less crowded days on which to enjoy the sea and the beautiful landscape. The best thing to do is walk along the coast discovering the small coves and inlets and the true beauty of the Salento landscape. In this case, go for shorts and crop tops, light fabrics and versatile outfits. Remember that the area is full of super glamorous and charming places where you can have lunch, aperitifs or simply take beautiful photos as a souvenir of your holiday.

Italy is a wonderful land full of fascinating places to discover and rediscover. Even returning to a place we are familiar with can turn into a new experience. Italy is a land rich in history, but that is constantly evolving, just like the people who inhabit it. In the same way, you are constantly changing, evolving, adding pieces of style to your unique personality – discovering Italy means discovering who we are.