Matino

Day Trips

Begin your journey with a leisurely stroll through Matino’s cobblestone streets, admiring the pastel façades and ornate portals. Stop at a local café to savor a fresh cornetto and espresso while watching daily life unfold. Engage with friendly shopkeepers and residents to get insider tips on hidden gems.

Explore the Church of San Giorgio Martire, taking time to appreciate its Baroque altarpieces and stucco details. Wander through the town’s artisanal workshops, sampling hand-rolled pasticciotti and olive oil. Capture the golden light as it illuminates the limestone buildings.

Dine at a family-run trattoria, indulging in orecchiette alle cime di rapa and a glass of Nero di Troia. Share stories with locals over homemade limoncello. Afterwards, join an impromptu piazza gathering to enjoy live folk music under the stars.

Head to the vibrant morning market where stalls overflow with figs, tomatoes and fragrant herbs. Chat with vendors to learn about seasonal produce and traditional Salento recipes. Pick up fresh burrata and sun-ripened peaches for a picnic later.

Tour nearby baroque towns—examine sculpted balconies in Alezio and ornate church belltowers in Galatone. Learn about local stonemasonry techniques from a master artisan. Pause for granita al limone in a historic piazza.

Return to Matino for an aperitivo of iced wine and taralli by candlelight. Dine al fresco at a cozy enoteca, sampling regional wines paired with cured meats. End the evening with a moonlit walk through olive groves just outside town.

Join a hands-on cooking workshop in a traditional Masseria, learning to make fresh pasta and focaccia. Harvest seasonal ingredients from the on-site garden alongside expert chefs. Experience the rhythms of rural life as you prepare a three-course lunch together.

Set off on a guided tour of ancient olive groves, some trees dating back centuries. Discover cold-press extraction methods at a family-run frantoio and taste vibrant extra-virgin olive oil. Learn about sustainable cultivation practices from local producers.

Return to Matino for an authentic home-cooked dinner in a private residence. Swap stories with your host family over pitta di patate and local red wine. Finish with a midnight stroll to the lit-up town square.

Drive to the turquoise waters of Porto Cesareo for a sunrise swim in a serene cove. Collect seashells along the sandy shore and watch fishing boats set out for the day. Enjoy midnight-blue vistas as the sun climbs higher.

Relax on a beach bed under a straw umbrella, cooling off with fresh watermelon from a seaside stand. Try snorkeling near seagrass meadows to spot colorful fish and seahorses. Indulge in panzerotti and chilled rosé under a shaded kiosk.

Head to Gallipoli’s seaside promenade for an al fresco seafood feast at sunset. Savor grilled red prawns and linguine alle vongole with a view of the old castle. Join locals for a passeggiata along the waterfront under the moonlight.

Travel inland to a boutique vineyard nestled among rolling hills. Tour the cellars and learn about indigenous grape varieties like Primitivo and Negroamaro. Savor artisanal cheeses paired with freshly pressed must.

Enjoy a seated tasting of reserve wines in a sunlit veranda overlooking the vines. Pair each vintage with small bites of capocollo and taralli. Ask the winemaker about harvest traditions and modern fermentation methods.

Return to Matino and taste local craft beer at a brewpub, sampling hoppy IPAs infused with Mediterranean herbs. Dine on wood-fired pizzas topped with regional specialties. Conclude with a digestivo by the fireplace.

Head to ‘Florence of the South,’ Lecce, for a guided tour of its ornate Basilica di Santa Croce and cathedral piazza. Admire the intricate lecce stone carvings that adorn every column and frieze. Pause at a café to taste pasticciotti and cappuccino.

Explore the Roman amphitheater buried beneath Piazza Sant’Oronzo and wander through narrow alleyways lined with artisan shops. Try a local gelato flavor like almond-dark chocolate. Learn about baroque sculptor Francesco Antonio Zimbalo’s masterpieces.

Return to Matino for dinner at an elegant osteria, sampling slow-cooked braciole and polpette al sugo. Toast to the day with a citrus-infused local liqueur. Enjoy a peaceful evening walk past softly illuminated chapels.

Depart early for Otranto to explore its medieval harbor and ancient fortress walls. Visit the Otranto Cathedral to marvel at its 12th-century mosaic floor. Wander along the cliff-edge path to Punta Palascia, Italy’s easternmost point.

Swim in crystal-clear sea caves at Baia dei Turchi, accessible by a short woodland trail. Enjoy a seaside picnic of focaccia, cherry tomatoes, and fine olive oil. Discover hidden coves and panoramic vistas as you relax on sun-warmed rocks.

Dine at a seafood ristorante overlooking Otranto’s luminous bay, sampling scampi alla griglia and fregola with clams. Sip a refreshing spritz as the sky fades from gold to indigo. Stroll through the historic center illuminated against the sea.

Take a scenic drive to Gallipoli and cross the 16th-century bridge into the island old town. Explore the Baroque cathedral and peer down narrow lanes filled with fishing nets and citrus stalls. Sip an espresso at a waterside bar.

Visit the fish market to watch local anglers tend to their daily catch. Join a small-group boat tour around the hidden grottos and limestone cliffs. Stop for a light lunch of octopus salad with fresh herbs.

Dine riverside at a terrace restaurant, indulging in spaghetti alla bottarga and grilled fresh fish. Savor a glass of chilled Falanghina as the setting sun casts golden rays on the water. Wander through piazzette alive with laughter and live guitar music.

Set out early for Porto Selvaggio National Park to hike lush trails above the Ionian Sea. Marvel at dense Mediterranean pine forests and fragrant macchia. Pause at scenic overlooks for panoramic sea views.

Descend to a hidden pebble beach for a refreshing swim in secluded coves. Pack a picnic of local bread, cheese, and charcuterie to enjoy on sun-warmed rocks. Watch seabirds dive into crystalline waters.

Return to Matino for a rustic dinner at a countryside agriturismo, sampling artichokes stuffed with minced meat and pecorino cheese. Sip on homemade wine in a candlelit courtyard. Share travel tales with fellow guests around a warm hearth.

Sleep in and indulge in a slow breakfast of freshly baked brioche and local jams. Take a last stroll through Matino’s quiet streets to soak up the atmosphere. Pick up souvenirs like olivewood utensils and regional ceramics.

Treat yourself to a spa experience at a nearby thermal center, enjoying soothing mud baths and saltwater pools. Unwind with a therapeutic massage infused with lavender and rosemary oils. Lounge by the pool with a refreshing herbal tea.

Gather for a grand farewell dinner in a historic palazzo, complete with live tarantella dancers. Feast on a multi-course Salento menu, featuring burrata, passatelli, and almond biscotti. Raise a final glass of Primitivo under a canopy of fairy lights to toast your unforgettable journey.