The Salento enchants with its cultural heritage, age-old traditions and unspoilt landscapes. To truly grasp its soul, it is essential to adopt a conscious and sustainable approach to tourism. We at Panorama Festival We promote a travel experience that respects nature, enhances local traditions and contributes to the balanced economic and social growth of the region.
The trattorias, the heart of Salento cuisine
Salento's trattorie are at the heart of the local gastronomic tradition, places where hospitality is intertwined with a passion for genuine food. Family-run and handed down from generation to generation, in the trattorie there is always one person, the 'traiteur', who cooks for his guests, just like in a home. These establishments offer traditional dishes prepared with fresh, km 0 ingredients. Ristorante-Trattoria L'Oca Fifì in Lecce is a perfect example.
In the heart of Salento and just a few minutes away from the centre of Lecce, L'Oca Fifì preserves and passes on the authentic flavours of the cuisine of yesteryear. Here, love of food is a family tradition, carried on with passion by Annamaria, who has made her kitchen a place of memory and sharing. Her recipes, handed down from generation to generation, tell stories of a land rich in gastronomic culture, where every dish is prepared with care and genuine ingredients.
From the intense aromas of the ciceri e tria to the enveloping flavours of the taieddha of rice, potatoes and mussels, every mouthful is a journey back in time, a return to the origins of Salento cuisine, home-made with love. Oca Fifì is not just a restaurant or trattoria, but a corner of authenticity where taste is interwoven with history, offering a convivial experience that tastes like home.
Glasses and flavours: Taverns
In addition to trattorias, osterias are also noteworthy typical places, originally dedicated mostly to drinking, but nowadays revisited in a modern key with a wide range of gastronomic offerings.
Osterias have always been places of conviviality, where good food and wine intertwine with the warmth of hospitality. Among these in Lecce, the Osteria degli Spiriti should definitely be visited: a perfect example of how tradition can evolve without losing its essence.
Founded in 2001, it is a place where childhood memories of the cuisine of Tiziana's grandmother, the chef's mother, are elaborated into a gastronomic project of excellence. In this restaurant, housed in an elegant palazzotto on the edge of the historic centre, each dish tells a story made of genuine ingredients, carefully selected from artisanal farms, local vegetable gardens and the Salento sea. The menu follows seasonality and emphasises the culinary heritage of the region, with a perfect balance between respect for tradition and creativity. Completing the experience is the extraordinary wine selection of her husband Piero, who over time has built up a cellar with over 500 labels, emphasising local wines and including prestigious Italian and international productions.
The Osteria degli Spiriti is an unmissable stop for those who want to discover the soul of Lecce cuisine prepared with care and respect for tradition, which is given a gourmet touch that makes it unique and different from anywhere else.
The Masserie: between history, nature and sustainability
The Salento masserie, ancient fortified agricultural structures built mainly between the 16th and 18th centuries, once the beating heart of rural life, are now the custodians of history, tradition and innovation. Surrounded by centuries-old olive trees and dry-stone walls, these dwellings represent an authentic way of experiencing the territory, enhancing its beauty and promoting sustainable tourism practices.
One of the most evocative in the Salento, Masseria Francescani stands out for its perfect balance between historical memory and contemporary vision. Situated along the ancient 'Via del Carro', parallel to the Via Traiana, the masseria is built around two 17th-century towers, including a Baroque chapel reminiscent of the famous Basilica of Santa Croce in Lecce. Recent restoration work has brought back the original frescoes, transforming the complex into an exclusive refuge for those who wish to experience the Salento in harmony with nature.
The hospitality offered is refined, respectful of the context and sustainability-oriented. Every stay at the Masseria Francescani becomes an immersive experience: from the olive harvest to the production of local cheeses and wines, to sustainable farming and the tasting of zero-kilometre organic products. Each activity reflects a deep connection with the land, promoting environmentally conscious and low-impact tourism.
Completing the masseria's offer, the Fràn Restaurant & Cocktail Bar establishes itself as a meeting point between taste, relaxation and culture. Here the cuisine follows the seasonality, enhances local products and expresses itself in elegant and creative dishes, to be enjoyed in carefully designed settings. But Fràn is much more than a restaurant: it is a place where the gastronomic experience is interwoven with unique events, designed for those who want to enrich their stay with moments of pleasure and well-being.
Between sunset aperitifs, dinners under the stars and cultural events immersed in the tranquillity of the countryside, Fràn events are perfect for alternating the more intense rhythms of a festival with more relaxing and regenerative activities. The sophisticated music selection, the enveloping design of the spaces and the refined atmosphere help to create a multi-sensory experience that leaves its mark.
Staying at a masseria like Francescani means choosing a travel philosophy that is attentive to the environment, beauty and authenticity. An invitation to slow down, savour and rediscover the value of simplicity, immersed in a place where every detail tells a story.
