Where I want to go…Italy is endlessly beckoning. An introduction to Patria Palace Hotel in Lecce will be explored.…Benjamin recently ventured to Puglia and the divine Rocco Forte Masseria. end of summer early fall in Salento is the perfect time to visit after the summer heat and crowds.

Several years ago, I wandered the winding pristine white paths of Lecce, the Florence of the South. I’ve longed to return and now a new reason, a site inspection of a Leading Hotel property Patria Palace Hotel. Once you visit Puglia and Basilicata, you’ll long to return to wander the charming hill towns, the picturesque trulli homes, sip wine under the older than Jesus gigantic olive trees and savor the outstanding fresh from the fields cuisine.

The hotel is in the historic center of Lecce – one of Puglia’s loveliest cities and a convenient base for digging around in the heel of Italy. The property overlooks Piazzetta Riccardi and the ornately sculpted façade of the basilica of Santa Croce. It’s a pedestrianized area and a relaxed stroll to all of Lecce’s tourist sites as well as its boutique shops, cafés and restaurants. The Adriatic coast is around 10 miles away; in the summer months, the hotel offers a free shuttle service.

Lecce: Roman, Jewish, and Baroque, a city shaped by centuries of history, where different eras and dominations have left an extraordinary cultural legacy. Founded as Lupiae in Roman times, it thrived as a commercial and cultural hub, enriched by a vibrant Jewish community during the Middle Ages. The 17th century saw its artistic pinnacle with the rise of Leccese Baroque, a breathtaking explosion of golden stone decorations that still enchant visitors today.

At the heart of Lecce, Patria Palace embodies centuries of history, art, and hospitality. A place where past and present blend in perfect harmony, celebrating the timeless art of welcoming.

The palace that now houses Patria Palace was built in the 18th century by Mauro Manieri, a master of Leccese Baroque, in a truly prestigious location—right across from the Basilica of Santa Croce, the finest artistic expression of the city.

Once the residence of the Petrarolo D’Anna family, this marchional palace belonged to an illustrious Neapolitan noble house with a rich cultural heritage. As descendants of the humanist poet Jacopo Sannazaro, the Petrarolo D’Anna played an active role in the intellectual life of the Kingdom of Naples.

Their prominence is even recorded in Boccaccio’s early work, La caccia di Diana, where three ladies of the D’Anna family are mentioned, a testament to their esteemed status. By the late 18th century, the family had settled in Lecce, becoming an integral part of the city’s cultural and social life, leaving a lasting legacy that still echoes today.

A Michelin Key was recently awarded to the Patria Palace Hotel. I have my eye on the Terrace suite with pool. The most fascinating suite with hand-made tiles, marble bathroom and private terrace of over 100 sqm with private pool overlooking Santa Croce.

Whether you’re drawn by the flavors of traditional cuisine, the rhythm of local festivals, or the serene pace of village life, Puglia offers a deep and soulful experience far from the beaten path.