Lecce greets us in full sun—its palaces glowing, its piazzas alive with conversation and clinking coffee cups. Often called the “Florence of the South,” this city wears its grandeur with warmth. We begin with a private visit to the Museo Provinciale Sigismondo Castromediano, where we witness the delicate work of art restoration in progress—a rare behind-the-scenes look at how time, pigment, and devotion are patiently reconciled.

Then we step out into the living architecture of Lecce: the Basilica di Santa Croce, a masterpiece of baroque exuberance; the quiet majesty of Piazza del Duomo; and the weathered beauty of the Roman amphitheater, sunken into the city’s heart like a memory resurfaced.

Between sites, we pause to sample what the Leccese do best—caffè leccese, gelato, and the iconic pasticciotto pastry, warm from the oven and just sweet enough to require another.

The afternoon is yours: stroll, shop, or simply let the rhythm of the city guide you.

This evening, we gather in the kitchen for a private cooking demo and dinner. Watching hands in flour while sipping wine in hand, we learn the art of handmade orecchiette pasta amid laughter and stories. If beauty is Lecce’s language, tonight we speak it fluently—and with sauce.