campervan

Thursday 22nd October 2026 – moving across to the east coast and Otranto….

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After a grey day yesterday with occasional showers, which incidentally was much better than forecast with far less rain, where we didn’t really do a lot, today has dawned bright and sunny. Time to move on, though I should say that if there was a decent beach within walking distance, we possibly would have stayed a few more days. Anyway we settled our account and headed across country to the east coast and the small historic town of Otranto.

By midday we were settled onto our Aire for the night (just a car park really but gated and close to the centre) and headed straight out into the glorious sunshine to explore what is Otranto – the Castle was an impressive sight and sits on the corner of the fortified wall which encloses the old town of Otranto….

Typically the old town is a series of narrow streets and alleyways surrounding the Cattedrale di Otranto….

Walking down through the streets takes you out onto the seafront…

A wide pedestrianised boulevard with busy bars and restaurants offering alfresco dining to suit all and views back over the walled old town….

The beaches are as you leave the old town and sheltered by stone groins in the bay. The main beach is Spiaggia degli Scanloni, followed by (heading north) Spiaggia della Riviera, a tiny little bay and finally outside the harbour walls one that I could take Tilly onto for a run, Spiaggia di Porto Craulo….

The sea looked very enticing but unfortunately there wasn’t really the option to leave Tilly safely so I had to make do with a paddle before we sat in the shade of the rocks for a break and to cool down as it is pretty warm today.

Revived we made our way back and around to the other side of the port to look back over the walled town….

Before making our way back to the van for something to eat and drink. Later we did venture back into town just as it was getting dark and as expected the town was well lit and preparing for the evening trade….

Today’s stats:

  • Miles driven – 30
  • Miles walked – 7
  • Beaches – 3
  • O/N – £10.06
  • O/N – £21.70 (last night)

Tuesday 20th October 2026 – as far south as we go – Santa Maria di Leuca…

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Today we achieved what we set out to do yesterday and this time drove straight to the most southerly point of the ‘heel’ of Italy and our most southerly point of this journey – Santa Maria di Leuca….

After parking up we walked towards the most southerly point and were greeted by the Scalinata Monumentale – a rather steep and beautiful double staircase to take us up to the highest point….

On special occasions a fountain feeds a waterfall down the centre stones, which I’m sure looks absolutely stunning, though it wasn’t to be today. In fairness, I rather think we deserved a display, having climbed up all those steps! Instead we had to make do with a spectacular view down over the harbour and historic town of Leuca….

Perched at the top is the Basilica Santa Maria di Leuca….

The Lighthouse stands taller still and you just cannot get enough of this view….

We did though and made our way back down to the harbour and van….

Our next stop was the allegedly ‘Maldives Beach’ of Italy or Spiaggia Pescoluse – not dog friendly and even though I have never been to the Maldives, I’m pretty sure they top this….

I can think of plenty nicer beaches that we have visited – but hey! A little further down the road we found the ‘Seychelles Beach’ – Spiaggia Marina di Pescoluse – dog friendly, deserted and nicer in my opinion, though I have been to the Seychelles and it is not a patch.

Anyhow, we are happy with our little find and after a wander a long to look at Spiaggia Torre Pali, the next little village along….

We popped back to the van to change and returned to spend a delightful couple of hours on the beach, swimming (me), chasing sticks (Tilly) and just being (both)….

A pleasant drive along the coastal road back to site with the added bonus of being able to get diesel, well limited to 100 euros worth as many garages down here are out of fuel following the truck driver and tractor protests (about the high prices of fuel) hampering supply. We at least have enough fuel now to take us further north.

Today’s stats:

  • Miles driven – 66
  • Miles walked – 6
  • Fuel – £84.30
  • Groceries – £45.18
  • O/N – £16.00

Monday 19th October 2026 – a day at Punta della Suina….

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As another beautiful day dawned, it is much more comfortable weather wise, noticeably cooling down overnight to 13 ish degrees and during the days reaching highs of 22 or 23 degrees which for me and Tilly is just perfect and if it can stay like this until December we shall be just grand!

We had big plans for the day, planning to finish up at the most southerly point of Italy, however our first and as it turns out, only stop was just perfect….

The car park though huge and almost empty was cordoned off into car sized slots which do not work for a 6m camper, fortunately though we found a couple where the middle rope had been taken down so we managed to wedge ourselves in diagonally and with that set off for a walk through the pine forest to this beauty….

Spiaggia di Punta della Suina did not disappoint, a glorious combination of craggy rocks, white powdery sand and turquoise seas….

This beach was a little busy as it is only small and is nearest the car park and has a beach bar so we ventured back through the pine trees to find access to the quieter beaches beyond – Spiaggetta della Grotta….

And our ideal beach a quiet long strip of lush sand and sea with only a few other takers – Spiaggia Grande del Pizzo…..

Now we had a decision to make as we returned to the van and I had a coffee whilst Tilly belatedly ate about half her breakfast. Do we stay and just enjoy the day here, as who knows how many beautiful warm days we have left or do we press on with our plans?

Not a tough decision at all really, so I changed into my swimming costume and we headed back to a nice quiet spot by a rock to provide Tilly with some shade and spent a lovely afternoon just being….

The water was delicious, a little fresh when you first get in for maybe 2 seconds and then just lovely. There is something about swimming in calm clear waters with just sand beneath you and the odd little fish darting about, Gallipoli Lighthouse visible on the horizon….

Tilly sits patiently in the shade of the rock until she realises I am getting out and then is so excited to see me….

We play awhile as she chases some driftwood until she has had enough and then she either lies in the shade of the rock or beside me in my shade. The sea is gentle enough that she is not alarmed and quite content to sit just a few yards away.

Such a shame to leave and return to site but hunger spurs us on. A perfect day.

Today’s stats:

  • Miles driven – 14
  • Miles walked – 5
  • Beaches – 3
  • O/N – £16.00

Sunday 18th October 2026 – off to Port Selvaggio and Punta Proscuitto….

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Today we have decided to head a little north in the van, on the recommend of some fellow campers, to get a nice walk away from the roadside and deep into a pine forest to visit the small bay of Port Selvaggio. From the large car park, roadside, we were soon wandering through the forest down a wide avenue….

With lots of footpaths leading off on either side we opted to stay on the main route for a mile or so down to the popular swim spot….

Tempting though it was, I had not come prepared for a swim, but we sat a while enjoying the view and warm sunshine and being overlooked by one of the 379 fortified towers built all around the coastline during the 1500’s as a form of deterrent and early warning system for the Kingdom of Naples. Each tower was within eyeshot of its neighbour enabling signals of smoke during the days and fires at night to carry warnings back to the kingdom. This is Torre Uluzzo….

After a while we ventured back via a less direct route just enjoying the peaceful walk in the cool shade.

Carrying on a little further north we arrived at Punta Proscuitto, famed for it’s beautiful white sandy beach….

With hindsight, I’m not sure why I didn’t swim here but there wasn’t really anywhere safe to leave Tilly, so I contented myself with a paddle in the lovely clear waters….

After a while we wandered around the point and onto the quieter Spiaggia di Palude del Conte. An equally sandy beach, though not as pretty as the sand was quite weedy and covered in debris from the neighbouring marshes and nature reserve behind. Still good for a nice walk and some off lead time for Tilly to round off the afternoon before heading back to site….

And what a treat with a pretty spectacular sunset for us tonight….

Today’s stats:

  • Miles driven – 55
  • Miles walked – 6
  • Beaches – 3
  • O/N – £16.00

Saturday 17th October 2026 – a sunny afternoon in Gallipoli Old Town…

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A beautiful day, temperatures are much more bearable around 23 degrees and the winds of the past couple of days have dropped as we take advantage of the shuttle bus from site to the Old Town of Gallipoli…

Dating back some 3000 years the city was built on an island by the Greeks with the connecting bridge being built during the 17th C and officially joining Italy in 1861. The city sits within fortified walls and probably only took about 20 minutes to walk at a leisurely pace around the outside. A stunning yellow sandy beach occupies the seaward side of the island, popular on this warm afternoon with incredible clear turquoise waters….

Around the city a number of bars and restaurants have seating along the perimeter wall making the most of the incredible views with some pretty novel bars….

We wandered into the narrow streets of Gallipoli enjoying the the cool shade and a break from the sun. With just one main street and only a few shops and bars dotted about elsewhere the rest of the streets were mostly empty for us to mooch at our own pace….

One shop that did look rather out of place though was this Christmas shop!…

We then wandered back onto the perimeter wall and made our way around in the opposite direction….

And eventually left the island and walked back into the the newer part of Gallipoli as it spreads down along the rocky coastline….

Taking a last look back towards the castle and island before catching our shuttle back to site….

A pretty Old Town but it won’t take you long to look around, we managed a couple of hours and enjoyed it, but that was pushing it, though we didn’t stop and have a drink or anything to eat.

Today’s stats:

  • Miles walked – 6
  • Beaches – 1
  • Shuttle Bus – £2.54
  • O/N – £16.00