Day 20, Wednesday, Galatina and Gallipoli

Today was our last full day of touring.  The weather remained perfect and the sites we visited were fascinating, unique, and lovely.  We headed southwest from Lecce to our first stop in Galatina. There we visited the Church of Santa Caterina, built in the 13th century.  

                             Detail of archway of the Church of Santa Caterina

It is filled with frescoes that have been restored.  Beneath this layer, one can see earlier frescoes and some "cartoons" or sketches that were used to create the frescoes.  The church was simply amazing, but unfortunately photographs were not permitted.  We went outside to the covered cloister area where I was able to shoot a few quick photos.

Next stop was Gallipoli - of course, the Italian seaside city, not the Turkish one of the same name. Gallipoli, meaning "beautiful city," certainly lives up to its name. We start in the fish market where all sorts of fish are being sold, tour an underground olive oil press, and stroll through the old city to the beautiful harbor area.  

Lunch is at another beautiful farmhouse that is completely restored and quite beautiful.  

Unfortunately, after lunch we have to bid farewell to our friends Sheila and Peter Philippsohn who have to leave half a day early in order to make connections to their home in Australia. Hopefully we will all be together again next September at a Melton Kallah.

Even though we walked a lot in the morning, I decide to try the afternoon walk to another family member's house on the same huge farm.  Here we find all sorts of plants from around the world, greenhouse areas filled with cacti and succulents, and beautiful gardens.  It is called La Cutura Botanical Gardens. What makes this trip possible for me is that I know Enzo, our wonderful driver, will pick me up along the road if my knees and back are too sore to walk the entire distance.  Fortunately, I do make it, and still have enough strength to enjoy the botanical wonders.  

Tonight will be our farewell dinner and tomorrow we begin the journey home.  Thursday we drive to Brindisi and then fly to Milan.  On Friday we fly from Milan to Newark and then back to Rochester.  This will be my last post.  Classic Journey has turned out to be a fantastic company to travel with - one I highly recommend.  I truly feel as if I have been on vacation this past week, even though I've walked more than I ever thought possible.  As always, it will be good to be home.