Buon Giorno,
Our guide today is Ricardo, 
another friend of Daniele.
Our first destination is Otranto, 
nicknamed the Martyrs Town, 
along the Adriatic Sea south of Lecce. 800 Christian townspeople were beheaded by Turkish invaders in 1480 for refusing to convert to Islam. 
The town has a mixed heritage. Greek, Turkish, Spanish, Italian; it was viewed as a gateway from the Orient. The Roman Navy would sail from Otranto to the East. 
For lunch, we stop at a local bar and have another rusticco. I really like these sandwiches. They are delicious. 
Next, we head down the Adriatic Coast to Santa Maria de Leuca, one of the ports where the Adriatic and the Ionian Seas meet. 
Along the way we see some beautiful coastline scenes. 
The water is so clear and the views from the cliffs overlooking the scenes are spectacular. We get to see the Church of One hundred stones. It was unusual because of the size and smoothness of the stones used to build this 4000 year old temple. 
We then head back to Leverano. First, we have to drop off Ricardo in San Donato, a few miles from Leverano. We get to meet his mom, Rosa and his aunt. 
Rosa has made for us a tiramasu, which is cookies soaked in coffee, layered with marscapone cheese filling and topped with coffee flavored whipped creme and dusted with cocoa. Thank you, Rosa!!!!
Tonight will be a short and quiet night forus because tomorrow we take the train to Milan for the last leg of our trip. The train ride lasts almost 10 hours. OH BOY!!!!!! Daniele makes us a quick and light rosotto for dinner. Risotto is arborio rice, simmered with vegetable stock, slowly cooked until its tender and creamy, then he added porchini mushrooms, parmesan cheese, carrots and onion.
A riverderci (Good bye)
Your blogs have been wonderful. I have really enjoyed, becuase I have not been to this area of Italy. I plan to rent a place in Tuscany or maybe Capri. You can come visit. Hey the terimasu…Mimma is from Sicily and she makes an authentic one here in Danville. You will probably never have a cappacino like they have in Italy. They are the best. Hey I will rent a place in Naxos, Greeece…you can come see me there too!. Also my family already has places in Peru. Ya’ll should go there next. Pull up my brothers website Kuelap@msn.com or maybe it is kuelapperu.com I’ll let you know when you get back. Ciao, ciao (sounds like chow,chow!) thanks for the memories, I want a vesper. g. Call me and I will run pick up my pretty or my interesting. Luv,g.
Hi Brian,
Your Blog has been most inspirational. I am sure your Blog is all I will ever see of Italy. We have missed you at Glenwood Rec. Center. Keep on having a great time and tell us all about it when you get back home. Prayers for you and your trip. God bless,
Phil Duckett
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