The verse of a song in Salento dialect often resonates with me as a tune when I talk to someone about my beautiful land and it goes like this: (Cinca lu vide nde lassa lu core cinca lu lassa se sonna lu mare) which translated would be whoever sees it leaves his heart there and whoever leaves it dreams of the sea, obviously speaking of Salento. Well, these verses come back to me in a split second now that I am about to write something about a remote and solitary place like Baia delle Orte can be. We are on the south-eastern side of the Heel of Italy, along these beautiful coastlines washed by the Adriatic Sea, intertwined with the green of the surrounding nature, among the uninterrupted pine forests that always come in handy in the height of summer for shady areas, the typical Mediterranean scrub that grows spontaneously almost everywhere, almost as if to mark its belonging to its territory, and dulcis in fundo the crystal blue of these waters that touch each one of us in the depths of our souls; here is precisely explained in all its essence the prologue with reference to the verses of that song. Baia delle Orte is located just 4 kilometres from the more famous Otranto, and to reach it you have to walk along some dirt tracks, among dry stone walls, and paths that seem designed for those who love trekking and nature walks. Once there, the contrast of colours between the white, low cliffs and the transparent blue of a marvellous sea will be evident, making some spots look like real natural open-air swimming pools. Baia delle Orte"s characteristic of being reached in a way that is not exactly convenient and fast represents its absolute strength, as it has been preserved in this way from the uncontrolled human development of doing business and speculating on every single square metre of sea. Here you will feel rewarded by nature, tiptoeing and respectful of the place you are in, fully enjoying every single corner and the unique freshness of these waters that regenerate body and spirit. Glimpses of a wild and unknown Salento that I hope will retain its delicious character over time... have a good summer at Baia delle Orte.
Last update: 10/01/2023, Tonio Viva
