We stayed at Gianluca's and Ivana's place for 6 days. It is a quiet house, beautifully decorated (see their photos), situated only 3 mns walk from the Santa Croce church. Our hosts were very helpful. and they care a lot They fetched us at the train station and took us back there when we left. At one point, there was a little problem in the house and Gianluca came and fixed it immediately (apologizing though it was no fault of his own!).
Don't bother to take maps and guidebooks with you; Gianluca and Ivana have put many of them in the living room in different languages, including English, French, German, and even one in Japanese.
Gianluca parle aussi très bien français.
We recommend 2 good restaurants for local food: Blu Notte and Latino (around 25 euros p.p. including wine). Gianluca recommended Le Zie (very close to the house), but it was booked out.
The Tourist Information Office organized for us a car service (car+driver) to tour the coast (one full day) and the interior of the Salento province (also one day), for 50 euros per person and per day (minimum 4 persons, you can share with other tourists, up to 6 persons). Our driver/guide, Michele Longo, was extremely competent and nice: ask for him! I'm also told that that there is a good bus network.
Lecce and the Salento were completely unknown to us and it was an enchantement. We definitely recommend this house and would go back to it the next time we are in the region. Just try not to go in full summer (we were told the temperature could go up to 40°C!).
Thanks, Gianluca, thanks Ivana!