La Marea

A few days in Castro left me feeling refreshed. It’s a surprising little town in the south, with clean, inviting blue sea and residents who are always smiling, kind, and helpful. The apartment was quiet and, above all, safe, in a convenient strategic spot that was easy to reach. It felt like a classic seaside second home, spacious, clean, and well maintained. Castro has plenty to do, with a relaxing feel but a lively side too. The views are lovely, and the local food ranges from seafood to mountain dishes. Salvatore recommended a lovely place for excellent seafood with a sea view.

The owner was incredibly kind and helpful, and we’ll definitely come back. Our apartment in Lecce was intimate and small, simply furnished but had everything we needed. It had a Mediterranean garden overlooking the sea. The center was a short walk away, and farther along was the famous Mare Vivo fish market, where we could buy excellent fish and eat it on the garden terrace. The whole experience was wonderful.

The location is the one real plus: close to Castro’s center, a bike rental, and the shuttle stop. Everything else made for a bad stay, starting with the owner not showing up at our agreed check-in time. The place was open, but we waited outside out of courtesy. After calls went unanswered, we asked around and were sent to his mother’s home. She was kind, apologized for her son, took responsibility, and gave us the keys. He never appeared or got in touch during our stay, and didn’t reply when we messaged as we left. Inside, the sheets were dirty, the showerhead uncomfortable, and the washing machine smelled. Many of the advertised amenities weren’t there. The induction hob didn’t work, and the replacement hotplates took ages to cook anything. The old doors were noisy and didn’t feel safe, and there was a cockroach in the house. We put up with some other unpleasant things, but the rudeness was too much. Even if the facilities had been fine, I wouldn’t return. The owner needs a lesson in manners.

We could walk to both the center and the sea, which made the location a real plus. It’s a sweet little house for two, furnished simply but with good taste, and there’s a big garden with a sea view. The apartment stays cool, though air conditioning is available. Our one small gripe was the glassware: just two glasses, and both a little chipped. The host was very kind and helpful, and I’d gladly recommend the place.