TRAVEL INFORMATION

WHAT TO BRING | HOW TO ARRIVE | DEPARTURE

Getting here is easy, and once you get here, we will handle all of the details. We are less than a half a day from Rome and only a few hours from Naples.
In order to make your trip to The Awaiting Table Italian Cooking School as easy and as rewarding as possible, we have compiled some helpful travel information, answered some frequently asked questions, listed a sampling of the dishes you will make, and provided a list of books which we recommend reading (complete with our critique, of course). Travel Agents or members of the media interested in writing about a cooking vacation, leisurely Italian experience or cooking schools in Italy, please visit our Media Center.

What To Bring
Pack light: when in doubt, leave it home. Chances are local stores also carry either your highly specific toiletries or something even better, but if it is critical to your happiness, bring some from home. Lecce is sunny and warm three seasons a year (although early winter and early spring are always great months to visit due to foods and vines unavailable the rest of the year, the ones that very few tourists ever really know about it). Bring a swimsuit if you like, postcard addresses, and a copy of all prescriptions (stored separately). Many guests find that simple and understated clothing is best in Italy, better aiding in blending in with the locals.
Regarding the temperature and precipitation during your visit, resourceful travellers often find that setting their MSN (or other homepage start up) to Lecce and Rome weather conditions proves helpful in packing and planning. The only constant complaint among our guests regarding luggage is that they brought too much. This tends to be cultural, and certain nations tend to over-pack. As a guideline, your tuba lessons can wait.
We provide computer use (an ADSL line), postcards, stamps, and all ingredients and equipment. We also have hard-dryers, umbrellas and aprons: We’ve thought of everything so you don’t have to.

How To Arrive
Upon registration, guests will be emailed several relevant attachments that will aid in travel plans. Attachments will include some travel tips, information on how best to arrive in Lecce, and detailed instructions on where and when to meet, etc. But in general, think Rome as your entry point.
To keep our focus on cooking, we are forced to limit how active a role we play in your personal travel scenario, but keep in mind that 95% of our guests arrive in exactly that same way. When in doubt, seek the professional advice of a travel agent, referring him or her to this site, especially if your travel plans involve either legs before or after your time in Lecce.
For week courses: Early arrival for any course is not recommended. We start our week-long courses on Sunday night to best accommodate both European and North American travellers. Upon your Sunday night arrival, we’ll check you into your Bed and Breakfast, give you some time to settle in and freshen up and then collect you for dinner, which is one you’ll never forget.
You may also want to read the FAQ page for more info about arrivals.

Those that arrive directly from their home-country without taking a break (a down-day inside of Italy) nearly always fall behind on Monday, a false economy if ever there was one.

From London:(from Stansted, on Ryan Air)
Take the direct flight to Brindisi, then either take the shuttle or a cab to downtown Lecce. Let us know when registering and we might be able to check you into your B and B a day early. Keep in mind that Ryan Air changes its schedule frequently, particularly the days of the week.

From other points in Europe:
With all the new low-cost inter-European airlines springing up, it’s impossible to make any blanket statements other than the following, 1) Do what it takes to arrive in Lecce refreshed, 2) Brindisi is the closest airport, Bari the second, 3) In general low-cost European airlines make their profit margins by offering flights into minor airports that others don’t, and at times that few want to travel. Plan carefully as hotels, airport food and drink, extra cabs and buses can easily double your original fare, rendering your ‘discount’ just a lot of hassle to you. If you plan buying ANYTHING in Italy, also spend some time on your airline’s baggage restrictions page, which tend to measure your allotment in grams, and the fees for going over by the wheel barrow. Treat these as their secondary revenue strings and you’ll have a better picture.

By car, from Inside of Italy:
TThis method is decidedly not recommended, and those that still insist will be on their own regarding rental, return (far outside the city), parking and potential retrieval if towed. Our staff cannot justify cancelling classes for help with any aspects of car rental. We’ve been doing this for years and no arrival method has proven more difficult.

By train, inside of Italy:
Italy's train system is extensive and offers a variety of possibilities. If you do indeed intend to be collected by the staff, it’s imperative that you make the same Euro Star from Rome, arriving at the Lecce train station on Sunday night at 19:48. This is easier than it sounds. Check out www.trenitalia.com, for more details.

Day Courses:
We meet for day courses under the statue of Sant’Oranzo in Piazza Sant’Oranzo at 10:00, and they run until roughly midnight, with a few hours for napping in between the meals. Your accommodations are not included but can be for 100 Euro per person per night.

Departures:
Post-school travel plans will be discussed throughout the week, with many guide books, maps and local sources available. We will aid your further travel plans in any way we can, and in general, the reverse will be followed: we’ll arrange your departure, setting up cab rides, helping you with your train departure, even calling ahead to your next destination for you. Registered students enjoy incredible resources while in Lecce and your future travel plans, once in Lecce, are no exception.

For more travel information including more detailed information as to how to arrive in Lecce , please see our FAQ section

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