Grotta del Pepe
Sant"Andrea is an enchanting place, a shimmering pearl that illuminates this wonderful corner of Salento made up of small coves, sea caves and rocky inlets all waiting to be discovered. We are in the territory of Melendugno, a town in the province of Lecce that for several years has been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag recognition, for the clarity of its waters, sustainable tourism and the various beauties of the coast. One among many is the Grotta del Pepe, a characteristic sea cave located just below the Torre di Sant"Andrea and very close to the Grotta del Canale, most of the time they are confused; you can find parking either near the lighthouse or along the road that goes down after the traffic circle to Torre Sant"Andrea, after which you should equip yourself with sneakers, rock shoes, mask and fins. The surrounding landscape that accompanies us before descending below the coast is marvelous: from the top of the rocky ridge you can admire at a glance all the beauties of Sant"Andrea, from the Faraglioni to the small beaches and all the inlets of a coast full of charm and magic. The sea appears blue and clear to our eyes, moreover the scent of the surrounding nature accompanies us along our route with wide expanses of Mediterranean scrub and typical native vegetation. Through a small concrete staircase we arrive down until we find a natural platform with access to the sea, here all you have to do is choose a place to spread your towel and relax under the warmth of the Salento sun. After that as you dive into this crystal-clear sea you will feel an adrenaline rush from the singular freshness of these waters, let the relaxing wave motion of the sea massage you first and then, equipped with mask and snorkel, proceed to discover this beautiful cave. Carved out by the passage of time, this sea cave is one of the many caves in St. Andrew, and all of them are worth visiting both for their beauty and for the tranquility and peace inside; in close contact with nature, as in this case, you can feel those sensations and emotions that become precious during a vacation, that"s why Salento now represents a fixed destination for thousands of tourists who every summer decide to visit it taking advantage of beautiful places such as the Grotta del Pepe and other glimpses of an area that never ceases to amaze. Have a great summer at the Grotta del Pepe.
Tonio Viva