We really felt we had a home in Lecce for a week. It now tops our list of favorite Italian cities, and staying at Francesca's had a lot to do with that. Her place is perfectly located and spotlessly clean, with high vaulted ceilings, impeccable furnishings and art in abundance. Also our favorite bathroom in Italy and state-of-the-art washer and DRYER, very rarely seen in Europe. All within an easy walk of everything in the old town. There's a guarded parking lot just outside Porta Napoli at 5 euros per day (if you go immediately left out of the Porta, it's on the right in about 100 meters). Which brings us to Francesca herself. We can't say enough good things about her. We had a mishap on our way to check in, and she came to our rescue. It could have turned into a huge problem without her willingness to intercede and her fluent Italian. She drove us to the apartment to unload our bags, showed us around and marked many recommendations on a map, both within the old town and on the east and west seacoasts. We tried many of her suggestions and were never disappointed. Then she drove us to park our car and walked us back to the apartment so we'd know the way. When she left us, we were fully equipped for a great week in this remarkably beautiful old town. We'll be back!