Places to visit
Masseria La Spinetta is situated in the southernmost part of Italy's heel, known as the Salento, home to some of Italy's loveliest towns and cities: the seafront fortified gems of Gallipoli and Otranto, the creamy baroque sophistication of Lecce and Galatina and the luxurious seaside resorts of Leuca and Santa Cesarea Terme. Click here for detailed descriptions.
But the Salento is also full to brimming with small sleepy towns that are off the tourist trail but are well worth visiting for their unspoilt historic centres and their unassuming genuineness. Examples include the so-called Greek towns of Calimera, Carpignano Salentino, Castrignano die Greci, Corigliano d'Otranto, Cutrofiano, Martano, Martignano, Melpignano, Soleto, Sternatia and Zollino - all on the doorstep of La Spinetta.
These towns - around 20km south of Lecce - preserve the Salento's strong historic ties with Greece, dating back thousands of years. The local dialect, 'Grika', and many of the area's gastronomic, cultural and religious traditions have evident Hellenic roots which are celebrated with frequent festivals, including the hugely popular and energetic Notte della Taranta.
Food and wine tours
- La Spinetta is the perfect place to explore the area's gastronomy. Please speak to your concierge for more details and bookings.
But the Salento is also full to brimming with small sleepy towns that are off the tourist trail but are well worth visiting for their unspoilt historic centres and their unassuming genuineness. Examples include the so-called Greek towns of Calimera, Carpignano Salentino, Castrignano die Greci, Corigliano d'Otranto, Cutrofiano, Martano, Martignano, Melpignano, Soleto, Sternatia and Zollino - all on the doorstep of La Spinetta.
These towns - around 20km south of Lecce - preserve the Salento's strong historic ties with Greece, dating back thousands of years. The local dialect, 'Grika', and many of the area's gastronomic, cultural and religious traditions have evident Hellenic roots which are celebrated with frequent festivals, including the hugely popular and energetic Notte della Taranta.
Food and wine tours
- La Spinetta is the perfect place to explore the area's gastronomy. Please speak to your concierge for more details and bookings.
Cooking courses
- for the keen cook we offer classes or demonstrations with an experienced local chef.
Eating out
- local restaurants serve up unpretentious but delicious fresh local produce. Please ask your concierge for recommendations and bookings.
Kitchen garden
- Guests can help themselves from the masseria's own kitchen garden and fruit trees.
Golf
There are two golf courses within easy reach of Masseria La Spinetta - Acaya Golf Club (approx 20 minutes by car) and San Domenico Golf Club (approx 1 hour by car).
- for the keen cook we offer classes or demonstrations with an experienced local chef.
Eating out
- local restaurants serve up unpretentious but delicious fresh local produce. Please ask your concierge for recommendations and bookings.
Kitchen garden
- Guests can help themselves from the masseria's own kitchen garden and fruit trees.
Golf
There are two golf courses within easy reach of Masseria La Spinetta - Acaya Golf Club (approx 20 minutes by car) and San Domenico Golf Club (approx 1 hour by car).
Beaches and Boat Trips
The Salento's long and varied coastline is one of the major attractions to the area and there are numerous beaches within easy reach of La Spinetta. The closest, the Alimni Beaches, are only 10 minutes by car or a pleasant bike ride away. This bay with its long stretch of white sand is well equipped with lidos, bars, restaurants and a water sport centre.
From the southernmost tip near Leuca, running up the west coast to Gallipoli and beyond, is a vast almost non-stop strip of glorious golden sand and transparent azure waters. To the east, the Adriatic coastline is more varied, offering sandy beaches, Karstic grottoes, chalk cliffs and salt-water lagoons.
The historic towns of Otranto and Gallipoli both have marinas and boat trips can be arranged by your concierge.
The Salento's long and varied coastline is one of the major attractions to the area and there are numerous beaches within easy reach of La Spinetta. The closest, the Alimni Beaches, are only 10 minutes by car or a pleasant bike ride away. This bay with its long stretch of white sand is well equipped with lidos, bars, restaurants and a water sport centre.
From the southernmost tip near Leuca, running up the west coast to Gallipoli and beyond, is a vast almost non-stop strip of glorious golden sand and transparent azure waters. To the east, the Adriatic coastline is more varied, offering sandy beaches, Karstic grottoes, chalk cliffs and salt-water lagoons.
The historic towns of Otranto and Gallipoli both have marinas and boat trips can be arranged by your concierge.
