Puglia

Thursday 29th October 2026 – a wander around the streets of Monopoli….

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On a somewhat cloudy day we leave the beautiful old town of Alberobello and drive back down to the coast to visit Monopoli. Having chosen a large carpark on the outskirts which is fortunately not very busy, we find that half the car park has been cordoned off for what appears to be a major litter pick by a large group of schoolchildren (teenagers), with all the services in attendance, as they clear sections of wasteland by the the sea. As I have stated before, a major issue I have had with this trip around Italy is the distressing levels of litter and rubbish everywhere (apart from the major tourist attractions which are kept clean) so this was a rather heartwarming sight – as the pickers where children, I didn’t think it appropriate to take photos but well done Monopoli!

Passing a couple of small not particularly attractive coves on the way in to the old town – Spiaggia Porta Verde and Porto Rosso….

The main town beach, Spiaggia Porta Vecchia is just really a slither of sand at the entrance to the old town which sits above the ancient defensive sea wall on a promontory….

We wandered around a series of narrow streets of (mostly) white washed houses, shops and bars….

Finding the ornate Cathedral of Monopoli in the centre we are unable to take a look in as most of the churches and cathedrals in Italy are either closed / charge an entrance fee and are supervised, meaning that with Tilly I generally can’t even just bob my head in for a quick look….

The town envelopes a pretty harbour with an impressive castle at the far end of the promontory….

Slowly we wend our way back through the Old Town….

To find the car park still partially closed and some pretty impressive piles of rubbish sacks as the children are all sitting guard whilst eating their well earned lunches.

For us it is time to move on to our next stop a little further up the coast – Polignano a Mare….

Here too a series of narrow alleyways this time peppered with potted greenery and colourful souvenir and ceramic shops are the flavour of the Old Town….

And of course the odd church or three….

But for me by far the most beautiful aspect was the stunning sea vistas….

Oh yes and who doesn’t love a twinkly light….

We returned to the van and as we had been unable to find anywhere suitable to stay the night we are pressing on a little further north to Bari which we shall cover under a separate blog.

Wednesday 28th October 2026 – heading north and inland to Lecce and Alberobello….

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A bit reluctant to leave this lovely little campsite but it is time, so we head north and inland to the town of Lecce. As is often the case, walking into the old town from the outskirts, I question whether it will be worthwhile as the streets are busy and dwarfed by grubby apartment blocks, cars parked every which way and very little in the way of green space and then we turn a corner….

And are greeted with clean pedestrianised streets lined with impressive, elaborate buildings and quaint archways and alleyways leading to more of the same….

Eventually leading us to the main Sant Oronzo Square, bathed in golden sunshine and alive with colour, the buzz of chatter and laughter and serenaded by music from a local guitarist….

The original 1739 wooden and copper sheathed statue of Sant Oronzo (the patron saint of Lecce) having been replaced in 2024 on the column by a bronze replica is now housed in a rather grand glass wrapped structure, which unfortunately was so reflective it was nigh on impossible to capture in this light but also quite engaging the way that is captured the crowds and buildings opposite….

Also in the Piazza is the original Roman Amphitheatre dating back to the 1st C and discovered in the early 1900’s when construction work began on the Bank of Italy. Only about a third of the amphitheatre has been recovered as the rest had already been built over….

Away from the main square we continued to wander around the relatively quiet streets….

Until we had completed a circuit of the old town, before making our way back to the Park and Ride on the outskirts where we had left the van.

Next stop beautiful Alberobello – featuring some 1500 Trulli houses (drystone circular huts with conical roofs built without mortar so that they could quickly be dismantled should the Kingdom of Naples Tax Inspectors come looking) dating back to the 15th & 16th C and what a magical place….

We wandered around for several hours as it was just so enchanting and becoming even more magical as the sun began to set….

We spent the night just a few steps away on very well organised motorhome aire / car park – all services including electricity and very safe – perfect.

Today’s stats:

  • Miles driven – 94
  • Miles walked – 6
  • O/N – £20.88

Tuesday 27th October 2026 – a blustery beach walk….

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A beautiful sunny day again today but a stiff and cold wind blowing down from the north. A perfect drying day today so we got a load of washing done and out on the line before heading out for a walk through the sheltered forest and then out onto the windy beach at Baia dei Turchi….

Not a great deal of shelter to be had on the beach and with the fine sand coming at you in waves we opted to return to the shelter of the trees and amble down to Spiaggia Azzurro to catch a bit of respite in the shelter provided by the closed up activity centre there.

I sat for a while just enjoying being and throwing a pine cone that Tilly had brought from the forest for such an activity….

Fortunately Tilly is very easily entertained and quite happy to walk for miles or not, as long as there is a bit of fun in her day, she is good.

It is fascinating to look at the shapes and forms created by the wind in this fine sand….

Today’s stats:

  • Miles walked – 5
  • Beaches – 2
  • Laundry – £3.50
  • O/N – £15.00

Sunday 25th October 2026 – a walk to Lake Alimini….

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The forecast for today was not good but by late morning the grey clouds had come to nothing so we set out northwards through the pine forest and along Spiaggia Azzurro….

The beach ends at what would appear to be the overflow from Lake Alimini….

Here we had to join the road to cross the inlet and had planned to perhaps walk around the lake a bit but with no obvious access we contented ourselves with this view from the bridge….

To be fair it didn’t look to be the most interesting lake so we crossed back over the road and joined Spiaggia Alimini to continue our walk instead….

We walked on until the beach literally ran out, sat for a while watching a lone windsurfer and trying to work out what the wreckage in front of us was (a Greek Cargo Ship that ran aground in 1978)….

At this point the rain (only light rain) that was promised did catch up with us and kindly accompanied us most of the way back though the sun reappeared as we were nearing the end of Spiaggia Azzurro and thanks to the chasing wind we were fully dry by the time we got back to the van, though I rather think that a swim is off the cards today!….

Today’s stats:

  • Miles walked –
  • Beaches – 2
  • O/N – £15

Saturday 24th October 2026 – another beautiful day at Baia dei Turchis….

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This weather is just perfect so we are going to stay and enjoy the peace and tranquility of this location. It is ideal not having to walk out onto or along any roads with seemingly miles of pine forest and coastline to explore from our doorstep. Today we make our way to the beautiful Baia dei Turchis….

This time heading south we mix between walking along the beach and along a path, leading us through bamboo tunnels and hedgerows….

Across rock beds with natural arches and stunning aquamarine pools….

Along to the hidden sandy inlet – Spiaggia dei Porticeddhri….

And finally around a headland onto the moonlike plateaux Caletta Toraiello….

At this point we decide to turn back and return to site for lunch before returning to Baia dei Turchis to catch the last of the afternoon sun and for a swim….

What a perfect day.

Today’s stats:

  • Miles walked – 6
  • Beaches – 3
  • O/N – £15.00