Next month, PRIOR x Cabana Caravan, a collaborative series of group trips between PRIOR and Cabana Magazine, is taking travelers on a journey to secret Salento, a region of Puglia in southernmost Italy. For three nights, from October 19 to 22, we are traversing the tip of the country’s bootheel, a stunning Pugliese landscape where slow-paced villages are filled with frescoed palazzi and hidden gardens, jagged cliffs overlook cobalt seas and a meditative Mediterranean way of life is built on centuries of history.
Lest we forget, PRIOR x Cabana Caravan’s upcoming Salento trip has quite a special host: Francesca Mapelli, Cabana’s Global Brand Relationship Director. This week, Mapelli was kind enough to take time away from itinerary planning and answer some questions about her personal Salento secrets.
Francesca, what about Salento are you most excited to share with PRIOR x Cabana Caravan’s guests?
Salento is really a constellation of many small towns, each possessing its own unique charm and appeal. You could easily — and very pleasurably — get lost exploring its glorious coastlines, Baroque architecture and exceptional craftsmanship. Indeed, I have! Recently, I went back for a long weekend, one blazing hot June, for my friend Marianna’s wedding at the Palazzo Bacile di Castiglione. But, I’ve visited on a regular basis, each time falling in love with Salento that much more. I’m so excited to introduce others to this well kept secret. It’s certainly a place where it helps if you have an insider revealing its little known gems, as so much is down to serendipity of time and place, and the legendary hospitality of the area.
My memories certainly reflect this: Over the years, I have spent time in an authentic masseria, the name of the traditional farmhouses found across the Pugliese countryside, and experienced the harvest at Podere Don Cataldo. Sitting amongst the ancient vineyards and olive trees, I feel rooted in the surrounding landscape and its traditions. The architectural experience, too, is so unique. The vaulted ceilings, or volte a stella, encapsulate something almost spiritual, I like to think. What is so special about this upcoming trip is that it will offer a rare insight into PRIOR and Cabana’s Salento: an eclectic mix of traditional craft, cuisine and stunning design — all set to a magical backdrop of centuries-old architecture and breathtaking landscapes.
Tell us about the trip’s accommodation, Palazzo Maresgallo.
Palazzo Maresgallo will make quite an impression, I’m sure. Situated in the heart of Lecce’s historic center, the 16th-century residence envelops you in the unique splendor of an authentic, centuries-old palazzo. Architecturally stunning, the palazzo is luxurious, yet refined and understated in its uniquely Baroque way. Each of the dozen rooms are grand, yet relaxed. Plus, the palazzo has a beautiful collection of contemporary art on the walls and countless charming spots to shelter and relax in.
Dining is such an important avenue for travel for Cabana. When it comes to southern Italian cuisine, what are your favorite dishes, aperitivi or pastries?
That’s so true and, honestly speaking, nowhere more so than in Italy, where each region is renowned for its own signature dishes that champion local produce. Salento, certainly, is no exception. The cuisine here offers the perfect entry point into the rich culture and history of the region. A personal favorite, which everyone should try, are the orecchiette con le cime di rapa, an ear-shaped pasta with turnip greens native to southern Italy. Pastries and coffee are obviously de rigeur. For me, Palazzo Natale’s pasticciotto leccese, a type of cream-filled Italian pastry from Galatina, are heavenly, especially when accompanied by a caffè leccese, the coffee drink of Salento, which is iced and made with almond milk — the perfect pick-me-up. I love to visit the local food markets to soak up the vast array of fresh, local produce. The delicious vegetables, nuts and dried fruits are not just superb, they give a glimpse into the surrounding landscape and the lives of the local farmers and producers in the area.
Any favorite stores, restaurants or botanical gardens in the region that people should have on their maps?
Puglian craftsmanship is really exceptional. If you know where to look, there are some lovely boutiques that platform local crafts and showcase skills handed down from generation to generation, such as the beautiful hand-embroidered fabrics made on ancient shuttle looms at Giaquinto Tessitura Artigianale in the village of Gagliano del Capo. Rivesto Italia has a stunning selection of antique Apulian ceramics and homeware curated by the shop’s founder, Benedetta Rossi. When I’m a little foot-sore and in need of something restorative, Taverna del Porto in Tricase is the perfect stop for a taste of something traditional, with a bite . Alternatively, Trattoria La Puritate is a much loved Salento institution that offers the very best seafood and panoramic views of one of the oldest villages in Gallipoli. In Galatina, Anima e Cuore is another favorite. The cuisine is to die for, but the building dating back to the 18th century is a must to drink in, with its wonderful interiors and antique mosaic floors. Finally, the beautiful La Cutura, an ancient country estate turned giardino botanico, is a haven of tranquility and definitely worth a visit.
With its crumbling, stately palazzi and churches covered in frescoes, the region has an abundance of fine architecture and art. What do you consider to be the sacred spaces of Salento?
Images that remain indelibly linked in my mind are too many to list, to be honest. But a few stand out and hold special memories. The small towns that dot the coastline, with their abundance of Baroque architecture, beautiful churches, hidden courtyards and family-owned palazzi, are something to behold. The historic old town of Lecce has beautiful Baroque streets, and the two mirror-image Baroque churches facing each other along the main piazza in the small town of Muro Leccese are two places that make the area so special. There is a sense of age-old longevity imbuing these spaces with a feeling of peace, a perspective that we often lack in our everyday lives. What can I say? They are quite magical.
