Stayed in another bargain spot right in the historic centre of Lecce....known as the "Florence of the south". So excited to finally have somewhere with a little kitchen!! Felt like such a novelty. Cooked (!) tea & settled the kids for the night before I popped out to explore. Arriving on a wet Sunday afternoon, the city seemed deserted with all shop shutters down. However, at 8pm it was like stepping out onto Rundle Street (well, not quite!). Cafes, buskers, lots of families, trendy shops. All of this in amongst jaw dropping sights. Crazily ornate churches all lit up seemingly around every corner & my favourite, an ancient roman amphitheatre in the middle of the piazza! Again, discovered by chance by excavators. A mini Rome all 1minute from our doorstep! Lit up at night you could really imagine the gladiator conquests.

Pouring rain had us back inside after 30mins the following day. The kids' ponchos were no match for it. However, it was another much needed, guilt free, down day. Had a great time. Pottered about doing craft whilst Adam caught up on his assignments. We did drawing, cutting & painting, painting paintings. Wrote & decorated our letters to Father Christmas too. We finally had an oven to roast the chestnuts that we had collected with Z&Z a few weeks before at Mt Etna. Munched on them whilst still warm (thinking of you Nonni!) whilst watching the rain....& with a glass of wine! .