Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

The Intriguing Streets of Lecce, Italy

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

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Lecce, Italy is a very photographic location due to its Baroque architecture and connection to the Roman Empire.

We wandered the Vias and Vicos throughout the town and were mesmerized by the colors of the famous cream-colored Lecce stone.

Depending on the time of day and the weather, the stone lit up, dimmed or even changed it's hue! We saw magnificent archways, hidden apartments and stunning churches.

The ancient walled city of Lecce is a must-see. Come take a walk with us to enjoy what beauty this historic city has to offer.

One of the many vias in Lecce

The origins of Lecce go back before the Roman Empire.

In the early medieval period, Lecce went through a series of invasions and changes of rulers. The Byzantines, Lombards, Saracens and Normans all played a role in the city's history.

Each culture left an architectural mark on the city. For instance, since the Lecce stone was soft for carving, it was easy to display the artistry of the Baroque period. Other invaders built walls, fortifications and Portas.

Here you see a via wide enough for one way traffic plus room for pedestrians to walk.

Notice there are no sidewalks.

Cream colored buildings

Wrought iron against the light colored stone gives a stately and sophisticated look.

The city is very clean, as you can see here that there is no trash on the streets.

Outdoor cafe

Restaurants with outdoor seating and cafes were everywhere. This makes for a very socially engaging culture.

Whether it's hot, cold, rain or shine, people sit at these cafes and watch the world go by.

The green trees and shrubbery really add beauty.

Sunlight in a vico

Vicos are tiny vias. There is no room for vehicular traffic, and sometimes the vico would wind their way along mysteriously.

Here we simply turned our heads and saw this stunning apartment and garden area with the sunlight streaming down.

Via opens up

The smaller via we showed you earlier widened to a larger street and led into the center of the town itself.

There is a nice bakery and restaurant on the left where the trees are, and a delightful Gelateria on the right where the people are sitting in chairs.

When the sun broke through the drizzle and the sky opened up to brilliant blue, it made all the difference in the world in how the town was experienced.

The sunlight on Lecce's buildings

This photo shows you some of the intricate carving done into the Lecce stone.

The Baroque period was an opulent time, and this was reflected in the ornate designs of the architecture.

Notice the different colors of cream, yellow, coffee, and latte colored stone.

Again, no sidewalks and no trash!

Beauty in the ordinary

We wouldn't know what we'd find each time we turned the corner. Here is a cream colored car with a black convertible top parked in front of a cream colored building.

Stunning maroon and red flowers sit atop elegant wrought iron railings with orange-ish wooden shutters and terra cotta discs on the wall.

Such beauty in the ordinary.

Ancient archway

Here is an archway from the Medieval period and a stone balcony.

The brilliant sun creates such a contrast against the coffee-colored stone and gray-black mold so often seen on ancient buildings.

The decorative wrought iron balconies and light posts add a touch of class.

The goddess Juno and a politician

This is a more modern section of the old town.

I'm unclear who the man is - he could be a politician or a famous scientist.

The woman below, curiously, is the goddess Juno, wife of Jupiter.

Stunning church

The church you see here is a perfect example of an ornate exterior carved into the soft Lecce stone.

The windows all have elaborate frames and sills. Notice the animals used as pillars to hold up the next level of the church's bacony.

There are several round stained glass windows as well.

One day we walked through here and witnessed a wedding party.

How lovely to be married here.

The Apollo Theater

This theater has a history of being inaugurated, then closed, renovated and opened again.

It's final inauguration was in 1926, and was "definitively" closed in 1986. But oh! Wait! It was completely renovated after 30+ years of closure and opened again in 2017.

Apollo is the god of music and the arts, a god of prophecy and was able to reveal the future to men.

While we did not go inside, I have seen photos of its spacious interior.

Akaisha with a Vespa

Vespa is an iconic brand of stylish scooters and they have become synonymous with Italian culture.

 They are a common sight on the streets of Italy.

While I have ridden as a passenger on many motorcycles, I have never driven one myself.

I think I could handle a Vespa, though!

Vespas are a comfortable and practical mode of transportation and they are often associated with the carefree and stylish lifestyle of Italy.

Yeah... that could be me!

Small church in Lecce

The photo of this small church was taken on a cloudy day.

While still beautiful, you can see how the colors have dulled with the lack of direct sunlight.

Fantasy of Romeo and Juliet

While Romeo and Juliet's love story took place in the northern city of Verona (not Lecce), this balcony always brought them to mind for me.

Over the centuries, how many people walked through these doors, sat on this terrace, and looked out on the streets below?

Walking around Lecce was like walking through history.

Sometimes it seemed that the walls could talk.

I really wanted those stories!

Porta Napoli

Porta Napoli is situated on the northern side of the historic city center of Lecce. This gate faces in the direction of Naples, giving it the name "Porta Napoli."

Built in the 16th century the gate was part of the city's defensive system. Like many other structures in Lecce, these buildings and the gate are made of the local golden Lecce stone.

This is the entranceway into the historic center of Lecce. When you pass through here you enter the charming streets of the city, discovering its Baroque architecture and cultural treasures.

Billy and Akaisha

Here we are, enjoying our time walking around this beautiful and historical town.

Medieval buildings with shutters and wrought iron

This view is of a typical street in Old Town Lecce.

Arched doorways, weathered Lecce stone, shutters, wrought iron hanging lights and balconies.

Obelisco di Lecce

Just outside of the Old Town through Porta Napoli is the famous Obelisco di Lecce. It's located in the central square called Piazza Sant'Oronzo after the city's patron saint.

The Obelisk was erected in 1822 and is also made of local Lecce stone.

Ferdinand I of Bourbon, the King of the Two Sicilies, commissioned the building of this Obelisc to commemorate the reopening of the aqueduct that brought water to the city.

It was a pretty big deal.

The aqueduct was originally built during Roman times and was later restored and expanded during various periods of history.

Directional signs

This is a typical collection of signs directing viewers to various parts of the city.

There's the Greek Church, a couple of Palaces, a Basilica and a Piazza named after the city's patron saint.

Lecce is a city worth visiting if you ever get to this section of Southern Italy.

The architecture, natural beauty of the stone itself, and the history are all simply amazing.

Bring your camera!

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

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