Beaches

As the sea is just a 20 minutes drive away, it is hardly surprising that we get asked which are our favourite beaches. There is no one answer as it's just like asking which is better - hotels in brighton or blackpool hotels? They are all different in character. It is possible to swim in two different seas within an hour's drive of the trulli. However, one word of warning, in Italy the government leases the nicest beaches to operators who are granted exclusive access. These beaches typically cost around €10 per person per day, but there are very few really nice "public", i.e. free, beaches. The money will normally buy you a shaded parking spot, a couple of deckchairs and an umbrella.

Ostuni

The nearest stretch of good sandy beaches is on the coastal road south of Torre Canne. Torre Canne itself has a very good free sandy beach, but it becomes very crowded in mid-summer. Drive south of Torre Canne on the coastal road and there are several Lidos in a row. Our favourite was Lido Tavernese. Lido Machia had better food available at lunchtime, but there were a few rocks offshore. Lido Fiume Piccolo, as its name suggests, is rather smaller, although still very pleasant. Keep driving further south, around the confusingly-named, Marina di Ostuni, and the beaches become rocky until Torre Guaceto.

Torre Guaceto is a nature reserve that we haven't yet visited. But it's supposed to have spectacular beaches and dunes. Presumably there are few facilities as it is a nature reserve, and you need to take your own umbrellas, food, etc.

Lecce also has some nice, if rather more crowded beaches. Porto Cesareo is a long, shallow and sandy beach. Avoid the beaches near Bari. The only real way to find your favourite beach is to drive around and sample the huge number of lidos and coastline. There is certainly enough for every day of your holiday, and at least 10 within 30 minutes drive of the trullo.

Many of the beaches have pleasant winds. Don’t let that put you off guard. The sun is fierce in the south. Use strong sun cream at all times.

Ostuni

Markets

A fun activity on any holiday is to visit local markets. This is especially true in southern Italy where every transaction seems to involve lots of shouting and waving of arms, excellent street entertainment! Local produce is ridiculously cheap and very fresh. There are fewer tourist souvenirs than in the north, but items like leather are often very cheap. There is a market for pretty well every day if you want to get serious about shopping:

There is also an extensive market in Lecce on the last Sunday of each month. This is well worth a visit, including some really unusual goods for a "market" such as Italian antique furniture. Of course working out how to get this home is another whole challenge!