This year, as part of the "Città Aperte"- or Open CIties - Programme, the Salento area is once again proposing a calendar chock-full of events and manifestations. With "Città Aperte" - a project supported by the Regional Tourism Board and  A.P.T. of Lecce – museums, cathedrals, castles, crypts, archaeological sites, historic districts, seas, parks, natural reserves and spas are considered not only as resources to be protected and conserved from the modern  incivilties, but as channels of culture and knowledge to be freely followed respectfully, alone or in groups, with or without the assistance of guides and often free of charge.
Now in its fourth edition, the 2009 programme is even richer. In addition to the traditional itineraries along the highways and byways of Salento, there are also strolls through towns, savoury outings, open parks, bicycle rides, pilgrimages, Salento excursions by train, bus, and bike. This year there are also some new proposals: starlit parks, unprecedented itineraries in the educational farmhouses, in eco-museums, and in urban participation laboratories, open museums as permanent shows, open spas in the splendid setting of Santa Cesarea Terme. Dozens of itineraries studied ad hoc with the objective of exalting nature and revealing ancient traditions that serve as a background for local rites and customs to do with faith, fine dining, and crafts. Streets filled with oil and wine, festivals, ritual, celebrations, costumes, and more: "Città Aperte"  evokes a culture of know-how and a creative talent that has made this territory a leader in production, which is also being showcased thanks to industrial and crafts laboratories that succeed in combining tradition and modernity.