This itinerary winds across rthe salentine peninsula, the extreme south-eastern part of Italy, the so-called "heel of the boot". It is an easy and smooth trip acrossa generally flat area,broken by the odd rocky height which in the southern part takes the name of "Murge Salentine". The geological panorama changes: the calcareous stone of nearly all the rest of Puglia is replaced by fine limestone and the famous Lecce stone which, cut and used in various decorations, has produced a characteristic artistic style, decorative Baroque which makes Lecce unique.

The jagged coast contains numerous picturesque marine caves. Leave Lecce and head for Copertino, after 11 km on a straight road you wil reach Nardò. From Nardò go to Gallipoli, reached inland by crossin the Galatone or with a interesting variation along the coast, passing through Santa Maria al Bagno, a popular seaside resort. Gallipoli has an oriental hair, all white, resembing the villages of the Cyclades. It extends into the sea on a headland and small island joined by a bridge. It is known for its olive oil and fish and, in recent years, has become an increaingly established resort. From Gallipoli follow the Salentine road amid olive groves and vine yards along a iniform road towards Ugento, knwn today for the cultivation of tabacco, takes its name from the ancient Ausentum, of prehistoric times, and with a 9 km circle of walls.

After a stop at Ugento return to the main road which becomes gentler, accompanied by tall pine trees. Pass through Acquarica del Capo, then Presicce, Patù Castrignano del Capo and lastly to Leuca and Santa Maria di Leuca where Italy ends. Interesting excursions can be made from Leuca to the nearby prehistoric caves (also reached by boat): the grotta del Diavolo, the grotta del Fiume, the grotta del Presepio, the grotta dei Giganti and the grotta della Stalla. The itinerary now climbs the coast and is a succession of bays, caves and splendid natural scenery, uncontaminated by buylding development. Cross Marina di Novalgie, Marina Serra, Marina Porto to Castro Marina, a village of almost Mediaeval appearance, in a lovely scenic position, a base for excursions to the two most important grottoes ( after those of Castellana, of course) in Puglia: the grotta Romanelli and the grotta Zinzulusa. From the Castro headland a convenient road climbs slowly to 100 m amid hedges of prickly-pear cactus to Santa Cesarea Terme, at the centre of a district hidden in wild stony ground sheer above the sea.

Of ancient origin, inhabited by Cretans, driven away by the Barbarian invasions, this is a famous spa thanks to the sulphureous waters containing sodium iodide which flow from four springs communicating with the sea. Leave Santa Cesarea: after a few Kilometres the road leaves the sea for Uggiano la Chiesa (recommended excursion to the nearby Scusi dolmen) and from here, descending along an ondulating coastal terrace edged with vine-yards and olive groves, comes to Otranto, the other large fortified town of the Salentine peninsule, the region of which was for centuries called Terra d'Otranto. The name derives from from the river Idro (water) in Latin Hydruntum, which flows into the port. A well-developed Greek town it took second place in the times of the Romans, who preferred the more convenient port of Brindisi. Today Otranto is famous for its monuments, as a fishing port and as a seaside resort. Leave Otranto and the road winds bettween the sea and Alimini lakes (this area has been upgraded by reclamation and the presence of holiday villages), across a viaduct, to pass Torre dell'Orso, busy in summer, then Roca Vecchia to San Foca, a small fishing village. The s.s 611 at first on the rocky coastline and then amidst woods leads to San Cataldo, the beach of Lecce, known for its lovely shores and equally beautiful pine woods. A fast, straight internal road will take you back to Lecce.