Un immense heritage of art, history, sea. It is Puglia, proud to show off 784 kilometers of coast, among the longest in Italy. Here each goal is a discovery, between intact natural scenarios and ancient cities. Like Brindisi, with a glorious past And an unexpected surprise: his great “reversed Ypsilon”. To draw it is the internal port consisting of two deep inlets, The western breast and the breast of Levante. In the middle he beats the historical heartwhile besides the “choke” of the Pigozzi canal, the Adriatic is wide open on the open horizon. A peculiarity that has made it a safe landing over the centuries.
Puglia, we start from Brindisi
The ancient Brundisium, where in 19 AC the poet Virgil died, welcomes travelers on Viale Regina Margherita, part of the shiny promenade of about two kilometers, a favorite meeting of the Brindisi at all hours. THEOn the road in white stone, a palm profile, leads to the monumental Swabian castle of 1227the seat of the Navy (cannot be visited), and to the electricity skiing neighborhoodonce inhabited by the fishermen and today the trendy area of fish restaurants. From here we arrive at the Ferry at the start to visit the monument to the Italy’s sailor erected in 1933 on the affected bank, with a crypt-seacral dedicated to the sailors who fell in the war from 1860 onwards, enriched by memorabilia and the ampoules with the water of the five oceans.
Always from the promenade, you can access the Belvedere buildingbuilding of 1931 which houses the municipal archaeological museum “Salvatore FalDetta” Foundation “, custodian of about 360 ceramic objects from the thirteenth century AC to the second century AD, and to the scenographic Virgil staircase, entrance door in the oldest nucleus above, where the cathedral desired in 1089 by Pope Urban II stand out and where in 1225 the wedding was celebrated between the fourteen year old Isabella di Brienne, queen of Jerusalem, and the Lord of the West, Emperor Frederick II. Do not miss the archaeological area San Pietro degli Schiavoni, With the remains of the Roman period below the new Municipal Theater, and the TempioDisan Giovannialsepolcro, a former XII century church with a circular plan, embellished with traces of parietal frescoes, with a “secret” garden on the back. A good base to explore the city, but also the surroundings and the wonderful beaches, offers it the Best Western Hotel Nettuno: outside the historic center, it overlooks the internal sea.
Toast from the sea. (Getty Images)
Puglia, where the turtles swim
Then we start in Direction of Candida Ostuni (north of Brindisi) to relax on the most beautiful beach. In about forty kilometers you meet free, equipped beaches, with sand, dunes or rocks, but a common denominator: the sea is always a fairy tale. As in Punta Penne loved by families; Long and spacious head tower with fine sand; Small and close to the coast of the coast. The beach of Torre Guaceto, the best known, lying for seven kilometers with various accesses, is inserted in the WWF nature reserve dotted with ancient sighting towers. In the protected area, the Luigi Cantoro recovery center dedicated to safeguarding, protection and care of marine turtles is active and visited (REVELOPERTERGUACETO.it). Finally, between one dive and another, it deserves a visit to the immediate hinterland Carovigno: considered among the most beautiful villages of Upper Salento, is dominated by the imposing Dentice di Frasso castle, a former military-deifensive fortress which became an elegant noble residence (Castelloicarovigno.it).
Torre guaceto from the other. (Management Consortium of Torre Guaceto, Giuseppe Lanotte)
Another side, another sea, other explorations. It is the Jonio that acts as a “bank” to one of the most loved and celebrated areas in Puglia: Salentosapphire waters and towns of the ancient spirit. To the south, the marine queen of the summer nightlife is Gallipoli, ball of pedestrian alleys, dominated by the massive castle (16th century) and by the cathedral of Sant’Agata called the “Pinacoteca” for the amount of paintings on the walls and times. A few hundred meters from the port is looming the sago- but of the island of Sant’Andrea with the landing nineteenth-century lighthouse, reachable with the taxi-boats. The islet is part of the regional natural park of Sant’Andrea and Punta Pizzo coast, 20 kilometers of Costa Gallipolina of Mediterranean scrub, dunes, rocks and amber beaches: Li Foggi, tip of the pig and Torre del Pizzo, the latter characterized by the sighting tower of the 16th century.
Postcard from the “Maldives”
Another conclaimated wonder is the Torre between Torre Pali and Torre Vado (with the Marina di Pescoluse center), defined as the “Maldives of Salento” For the White Rena and the incredibly blue sea. Near Marina di Ugento a strategic place to explore Costa and the hinterland is the Vivosa Apulia Resort, an eco-structure with private beach bordered by a dense pine forest. In the hotel, devoted to environmental sustainability, it is a pleasure to relax – after a sunny day, discoveries and sports – in the large spa between massages and rituals made with organic products. The patronal feasts that follow one another in the hinterland centers (in Lecce from 24 to 26 August) decorated with fantastic lights: the imposing light sculptures made with skill by the “pataratory masters” give life to arches, tunnels and lace of multicolor bulbs. In line with the atmosphere of Salento, where everything gives a show.
Where to sleep in Puglia
Best Western Hotel Nettuno
Via A. Titi 41, Brindisi. 4 -star hotel outside the historic center, about twenty minutes away from the port. Overlooking the sea, it has 70 rooms, restaurant, gym and free private parking.
In August double in 128 € B&B. Activates the special “Last Minute Holidays” promotion with 10 percent discounts, including breakfast. Nettunohotel.it
Vivosa Apulia Resort
Via Vicinale Fontanelle, Marina di Ugento (Lecce). Award -winning ecoresort immersed in a pine forest a few tens of meters from the sea. Pools, animation, restaurants and spa. The complex pays attention to the environment and sustainability: this summer the “tartofiends” has been launched with initiatives dedicated to the protection of sea turtles. In August double from 260 euros per person in luxury all inclusive formula; In September from 171 euros. Sweet September promotion for stays from 24 September to 3 October, of minimum 3 nights, with a 20 percent discount on the best rate. Vivosaresort.com/it
Where to eat
Antica Osteria La Sciabica
Via Thaon de Revel 29/33, Brindisi. On the seafront, near the Swabian castle. Vintage objects on the walls and dishes of the Apulian tradition, especially fresh fished cooked on the grill. Instagram.com/lasciabica.brindisi
The bastion
Riviera Nazario Sauro 28, Gallipoli (Lecce). Fish restaurant on the walls of the town, with terrace overlooking the sea. In the menu: raw fish, ravioli with grouper stuffing, Salento sword. ilbastionegallipoli.it