Thanks to the Local Advisor, an evolved concierge introduced in all JSH facilities, our guests can now turn an ordinary stay into a real journey into the soul of authentic Salento. Heterogeneous and varied experiences are provided by DoubleTree by Hilton Acaya Golf Resort & Spa. Let’s start with a refreshing walk between 18th century farms, forests, olive groves and meadows including a relaxing break and local products tasting. Afterwards we can enjoy an interesting visit of the beautiful Cesine WWF Natural Reserve. In the outdoors of the Resort, under the shade of the olive groves of Salento we can take part to sculpture lessons using local stone. Later we cannot miss the cooking class and discover the excellent local cuisine while tasting fine wines in the most renowned wineries. We can also visit the most beautiful cities of Salento: Lecce is considered the baroque pearl of Salento. Otranto, the east gate, is so named because it is the largest city in eastern Italy. Santa Maria di Leuca, is the meeting place of the Adriatic and the Ionian Seas. And for fans of the sea, there are exciting fishing trips and fascinating boat trips to the most beautiful caves in Salento, authentic marvels, with stops in the most picturesque coves to dive into the deep blue of the sea.

TRUE BLOOD Salento
Our goal is to enhance the experience of the territory and its natural, artistic, cultural and culinary heritage. Some experiences proposed by the Local Advisor are extremely exciting and represent a very special occasion to get in touch with nature. You can discover old "sheep trails", ancient farms, charming old rural dwellings, expanses of olive trees, crystal clear waters, wonderful caves that hide precious historical treasures, and countless other heavenly hidden corners . Other experiences will make you discover and appreciate the immense wealth of history, art and culture of the neighboring cities, the first of which is Lecce, with its Baroque buildings and monuments of great aesthetic effect; it is a real jewel of historical architecture.

UNCONVENTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Away from Mass Tourism
The Local Advisor offers the unusual and unconventional. Sports enthusiasts can appreciate the immersive fishing trips and choose from a wide variety of experiences: trolling with live bait, vertical and light jigging, bottom fishing, medium fishing, bottom fishing in deep waters, trolling, spinning out of the boat, and trolling for big game Bluefin tuna. Then there is horseback riding. This the most ancient and certainly the most fascinating way to discover the area that offers the opportunity to live an exciting symbiosis with one’s own horse. For all fans of the kitchen, the multi-sensory experience of Cooking Class is truly unique and unmissable: the shape, the taste, the smell of food will become a laboratory of gestures, craftsmanship, tradition, research and flavor. And there is still much more to do…

120 Hectares of vegetation
Nestled in one hundred and twenty acres of Mediterranean vegetation, Acaya Golf Resort is located at the centre of a cross-section of enchanting Salento, a few kilometres from the decorated stonework of Lecce, an expression of the artistic and architectural movement known as Lecce Baroque. The ancient art is echoed about ten minutes’ drive from the resort, located next to the WWF oasis called Le Cesine, a national Nature Reserve, and between the countryside of Vernole and Acaya, facing the belt of sea that encircles the peninsula, a harmonious competition of waves between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.

Extraordinary sea
On the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, there are countless rocky and sandy beaches not to miss in Salento. Some suggestions to get to know the place better, getting lost along the fascinating and endless stretches of coastline of this wonderful land. Porto Cesareo (with Punta Prosciutto, Torre Lapillo and Sant’Isidore), on the Ionian Sea, is famous for its blue sea, ancient towers and fresh fish restaurants. Gallipoli (with Baia Verde, Lido Conchiglie, Padula Bianca, Rivabella and Santa Caterina di Nardo), on the Ionian coast, is known for its charming old villages, Caribbean-like sea and sophistication. Otranto (with the Alimini, Torre dell’Orsa, Rocca Vecchia and San Foca), on the Adriatic, is famous for its ramparts, beaches with fine silvery sand, lakes and green pine forest. On the Adriatic and on the Ionian Sea, Santa Cesarea Terme is famous for its healing thermal waters and its sulphur caves, while Castro is known for its caves, including Zinzulusa cave, which is one of the largest karst phenomena of Salento. Santa Maria di Leuca, at the extreme edge of Puglia, is known as "Finibus Terrae”; the sea is crystal clear and the coastline dotted with numerous coves and caves, including the Cave of the Three Doors, the Devil’s Cave and the Cave of the Breath, which are accessible only by sea. Il Ciolo, a short walk from Santa Maria di Leuca, is famous for its 40-metre high bridge, from which some daring souls dive into the emerald green sea.

Baroque art
It is because of the famous "Lecce stone", the malleable rock with which the Salento area abounds, that the baroque style spread through Salento. The ultimate expression of this movement is the city of Lecce, the "Capital of Baroque". Churches, cathedrals, ancient buildings are real open-air monuments here. The Basilica of Santa Croce is perhaps the best example of this architectural style. Do not miss a visit to the town of Gallipoli, "the pearl of the Ionian Sea", with its Cathedral of St. Agatha and the extraordinary palaces of the town centre. Or Otranto, "the door to the East", with its Church of St. Mary of the Martyrs, a synthesis of early Christian, Byzantine and Romanesque styles, which contains the largest mosaic in Europe and the remains of the 800 martyrs of Otranto. Or Santa Maria di Leuca, "Finibus Terrae", with the beautiful Puglian Aqueduct steps linking the port to the shrine dedicated to Our Lady "de finibus terrae”. Among the huge number of places where you can see Baroque art and architecture, there is also Nardò, considered one of Puglia’s “art cities".

Food and wine
In summer, festivals are the food and wine events par excellence, especially for locals. Find out about all the festivals that will be held while you are on holiday in Salento. For breakfast, don’t miss an iced coffee with pastries at the Pasticceria Alvino in Lecce, to be enjoyed slowly, nobody is in a hurry here... The ideal lunch is a fresh and light frisella accompanied by Dreher beer at Ultima Spiaggia. For dinner, try the elegant dishes at the Bastioni in Gallipoli, or a simple spaghetti with sea urchins at the Scapricciatiello. At night time, head for the exclusive Gibò at Gagliano del Capo or the Malé at Santa Cesarea Terme.