Puglia

Friday 23rd October 2026 – a few miles north to Baia de Turchis….

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We are struggling a bit to find places to stay as many campsites are now closed for the winter and the weather looks a little stormy the further north we go. Having found a little campsite just a few miles up the road on the coast by the Baia of Turchis we bid farewell to Otranto the town and follow the coast road to the somewhat remote Agriturismo Fontanelle….

The campsite is a small holding offering fresh fruit and veg and of course Olives from the farm, along with daily deliveries of bread and croissants and is actually a little gem sitting behind a belt of pine forest and the rather stunning beach – Baia dei Turchis, a collection of rock backed beautiful white sandy bays….

We quickly get settled and set off for a walk down to the sea – what a sight for sore eyes….

We venture along the beach to the north passing the petite Lido dei Pini….

Onto the beautiful wide expanse of white sand that is Spiaggia Azzurro….

As the sun is warm and the sea beautiful and clear we pop back to the van for a quick bite to eat and change, before heading back to Spiaggia Azzurro to spend the afternoon playing, sitting and relaxing on the beach with the occasional dip in the sea (for me) – I honestly can’t think of a better way to spend our time….

Today’s stats:

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

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