Discussion
Wife and I have had at least one holiday a year in Italy for the past dozen years or so, usually in different places. In September we’re off to Puglia, basing ourselves at a beach side supposedly boutique hotel between Bari and Brindisi. It’s an area of Italy we have never visited before.
So, what’s there to do/see/experience in Puglia? We will have a hire car. Places such as Lecce, Ostuni, Cisterino and Matera are already under serious consideration. Also seems that there’s lots of beach side fish restaurants on the coast at places like Torre Canne which appeal to us.
Any informed advice will be appreciated.
R.
So, what’s there to do/see/experience in Puglia? We will have a hire car. Places such as Lecce, Ostuni, Cisterino and Matera are already under serious consideration. Also seems that there’s lots of beach side fish restaurants on the coast at places like Torre Canne which appeal to us.
Any informed advice will be appreciated.
R.
Apologies if you're already aware, but in case you're not...
http://www.italymagazine.com/forums/general-chat-a...
"today you can watch on the news in italy the arrests being made of a few puglian locals as they try to explain why the compost, being spread on fields and gardens throughout the region contains leathul doses of toxic chemaicals /radioactive materails in doses large enough to cause long term damage to the whole area."
And unbelievable as it is, it's not a one off or isolated region. Just google 'italy mafia toxic nuclear waste' and you'll find the extent of the dumping chilling. It went on for years.
From 2011: "the authorities seized a record two million tonnes of dangerous waste on its way for disposal, often in the one of Italy’s four southern-most regions, Sicily, Calabria, Campania and Puglia where the country’s four main mafia groups hold sway"
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ma...
The Leaper said:
So, what’s there to do/see/experience in Puglia?
Play 'spot the mafia-dumped toxic and nuclear waste'? Not all sites are identified but apart from tumors, not sure if there's a prize if you find one.http://www.italymagazine.com/forums/general-chat-a...
"today you can watch on the news in italy the arrests being made of a few puglian locals as they try to explain why the compost, being spread on fields and gardens throughout the region contains leathul doses of toxic chemaicals /radioactive materails in doses large enough to cause long term damage to the whole area."
And unbelievable as it is, it's not a one off or isolated region. Just google 'italy mafia toxic nuclear waste' and you'll find the extent of the dumping chilling. It went on for years.
From 2011: "the authorities seized a record two million tonnes of dangerous waste on its way for disposal, often in the one of Italy’s four southern-most regions, Sicily, Calabria, Campania and Puglia where the country’s four main mafia groups hold sway"
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ma...
The Leaper said:
Wife and I have had at least one holiday a year in Italy for the past dozen years or so, usually in different places. In September we’re off to Puglia, basing ourselves at a beach side supposedly boutique hotel between Bari and Brindisi. It’s an area of Italy we have never visited before.
So, what’s there to do/see/experience in Puglia? We will have a hire car. Places such as Lecce, Ostuni, Cisterino and Matera are already under serious consideration. Also seems that there’s lots of beach side fish restaurants on the coast at places like Torre Canne which appeal to us.
Any informed advice will be appreciated.
R.
We went in 2012 and I'm struggling to remember anything truly memorable apart from the fact that we rescued 3 dogs back to the UK! Actually, the Trulis are truly memorable but when you've seen one...So, what’s there to do/see/experience in Puglia? We will have a hire car. Places such as Lecce, Ostuni, Cisterino and Matera are already under serious consideration. Also seems that there’s lots of beach side fish restaurants on the coast at places like Torre Canne which appeal to us.
Any informed advice will be appreciated.
R.
It is a very poor region hence all the stray dogs and the general feeling that the annual Festival of Litter has just taken place. If you go with an expectation of rough red wine, rustic food and locals who often seem (pleasantly) surprised to see a UK tourist you'll be OK. That said, we didn't really cover the coast between Bari and Brindisi so we might have missed out on the glamour. Our beach experiences were a bit scrappy - turn up with some food and drink or take a chance at a beach cafe/restaurant. As you're seasoned Italy visitors I'm sure you'll have a great time.
If you want an empty wallet I can recommend a vet, kennels and animal couriers...
I'll ask my wife this evening if she can add anything actually useful!
The Leaper said:
Wife and I have had at least one holiday a year in Italy for the past dozen years or so, usually in different places. In September we’re off to Puglia, basing ourselves at a beach side supposedly boutique hotel between Bari and Brindisi. It’s an area of Italy we have never visited before.
So, what’s there to do/see/experience in Puglia? We will have a hire car. Places such as Lecce, Ostuni, Cisterino and Matera are already under serious consideration. Also seems that there’s lots of beach side fish restaurants on the coast at places like Torre Canne which appeal to us.
Any informed advice will be appreciated.
R.
Where are you staying OP? Last year we stayed in Masseria Torre Coccaro in Fasano, it was an amazing experience. We also rented a Villa down in Salento, so did plenty of visits to local towns and cities like Lecce, Monopoly. Plenty to do. Defo hire a car..So, what’s there to do/see/experience in Puglia? We will have a hire car. Places such as Lecce, Ostuni, Cisterino and Matera are already under serious consideration. Also seems that there’s lots of beach side fish restaurants on the coast at places like Torre Canne which appeal to us.
Any informed advice will be appreciated.
R.
G
We stayed in a Trulli between Ostuni and Ceglie Messapica a few years ago. It was rural, quiet and relaxing. Not much to do though.
We ate out in Ceglie, which was ok. The food is rustic, and the locals friendly. The area didn't quite provide the culinary delights that we had read about, but we self catered a fair bit as a result.
It is poor. Bari is a s
t hole.
Our one beach visit was a bit of a let down, beach was a bit grubby, and loads of fag butts in the sand.
Climate is lovely.
We ate out in Ceglie, which was ok. The food is rustic, and the locals friendly. The area didn't quite provide the culinary delights that we had read about, but we self catered a fair bit as a result.
It is poor. Bari is a s
t hole. Our one beach visit was a bit of a let down, beach was a bit grubby, and loads of fag butts in the sand.
Climate is lovely.
Jamesgt said:
Interesting. I’m taking the family there the end of next month. The kids are only young so we won’t be doing much. We’ve rented a trulli with a pool but it would be nice to get out and see something.
We've rented a villa with a hot tub near Bari, but far enough away! If you're flying Easyjet LGW-Bari, they've changed the travel times considerably without telling us...
Ostuni and Alberobello (home of trullis) are pretty but only really worth a couple of hours each.
By all accounts, Lecce is beautiful and immersive, but is quite far from where you're based.
I've been in the area you're staying twice, and frankly didn't get the sense there was much to do/see, although I was there for weddings so didn't have a lot of time for sightseeing. I thought the sea wasn't the best either.
Better beaches/sea can be found on the Ionian side, Gallipoli is a bit of a local Ibiza if that's your thing.
Food will be magnificent everywhere though!
By all accounts, Lecce is beautiful and immersive, but is quite far from where you're based.
I've been in the area you're staying twice, and frankly didn't get the sense there was much to do/see, although I was there for weddings so didn't have a lot of time for sightseeing. I thought the sea wasn't the best either.
Better beaches/sea can be found on the Ionian side, Gallipoli is a bit of a local Ibiza if that's your thing.
Food will be magnificent everywhere though!
Gio G,
We are staying at the Canne Bianche Hotel just south of Torre Canne.
We will have a car for the entire stay.We plan to alternate between chilling out by the pool and doing day trips to, say, Lecce, Ostuni and Matera, the latter probably with a guide. Lecce looks to be maybe an hour's drive away, although we did look at the possibility of going by train (we like trains in Italy!) but that does take longer than driving.
Google tells us that there seems to be quite a few beach side restaurants in the vicinity which are mostly fish based which appeals to us.
R.
We are staying at the Canne Bianche Hotel just south of Torre Canne.
We will have a car for the entire stay.We plan to alternate between chilling out by the pool and doing day trips to, say, Lecce, Ostuni and Matera, the latter probably with a guide. Lecce looks to be maybe an hour's drive away, although we did look at the possibility of going by train (we like trains in Italy!) but that does take longer than driving.
Google tells us that there seems to be quite a few beach side restaurants in the vicinity which are mostly fish based which appeals to us.
R.
The Leaper said:
RC,
Well, all I can say is that the missus and I have been to Sicily and Calabria and survived (so far) !
R.
And too beautiful a country to avoid entirely. I love reading about the various villages and towns people discover when they go there (OK, I admit to going on virtual Italian holidays by 'walking' around them via google streetview Well, all I can say is that the missus and I have been to Sicily and Calabria and survived (so far) !
R.
)The Leaper said:
Gio G,
We are staying at the Canne Bianche Hotel just south of Torre Canne.
We will have a car for the entire stay.We plan to alternate between chilling out by the pool and doing day trips to, say, Lecce, Ostuni and Matera, the latter probably with a guide. Lecce looks to be maybe an hour's drive away, although we did look at the possibility of going by train (we like trains in Italy!) but that does take longer than driving.
Google tells us that there seems to be quite a few beach side restaurants in the vicinity which are mostly fish based which appeals to us.
R.
Try to get into Torre Coccaro's private beach restaurant for lunch, very special, not far from you... Also evening dining at the sister hotel Masseria Torre Maizza is also very special. The Food is sublime...We are staying at the Canne Bianche Hotel just south of Torre Canne.
We will have a car for the entire stay.We plan to alternate between chilling out by the pool and doing day trips to, say, Lecce, Ostuni and Matera, the latter probably with a guide. Lecce looks to be maybe an hour's drive away, although we did look at the possibility of going by train (we like trains in Italy!) but that does take longer than driving.
Google tells us that there seems to be quite a few beach side restaurants in the vicinity which are mostly fish based which appeals to us.
R.
G
Recently did a trip to Lecce for work. Stayed over in Brindisi as the flights didn't work the night before.
Brindisi is an interesting walled town, but apart from over priced clothes shops not much to see, I struggled to get a decent meal in the evening walking from the hotel. Lecce was a dump as far as I saw. The roads in the area were atrocious. The whole area is quite poor & it shows.
Brindisi is an interesting walled town, but apart from over priced clothes shops not much to see, I struggled to get a decent meal in the evening walking from the hotel. Lecce was a dump as far as I saw. The roads in the area were atrocious. The whole area is quite poor & it shows.
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