• Home
  • About
  • Italy on a Budget
    • Language Schools

Travelling with Lyn

~ My experiences in Italy and the world

Travelling with Lyn

Category Archives: The Road Trip

Picture Perfect Otranto

13 Sunday Dec 2015

Posted by Lyn Douglas in Otranto, Puglia, The Road Trip

≈ 32 Comments

Tags

adriatic coast, Grotto, Grotto Zinsulusa, italy, Lecce, Otranto, Photography, Puglia, travel

This gorgeous town with its picture-perfect blue waters, white buildings and diving rocks is part of the Lecce province and lies on Italy’s easternmost stretch of coast.  We drove in to Otranto on a perfect June day where we stopped for several hours before heading on to Lecce.  This striking coastline alternates between sandy beaches and sheer cliffs dropping into the sea.

DSCF1250
DSCF1242
DSCF1264

Otranto is a popular beachside getaway especially for the Italians during the summer months.  It is a small place with a lovely holiday atmosphere, and makes a good destination for a day trip or a longer stay.  The beaches actually within the town are very small – pleasant on a sunny June weekday, but I believe are extremely crowded in the peak summer season.  The coastline outside Otranto is renowned for its beauty, and there are more stretches of popular beaches to both the north and south which you would need a car to get to.

DSCF1265
DSCF1251
DSCF1244
DSCF1254

Within the town, the narrow, stone-paved streets pass the historic white-coloured houses and lead you to the heart of the old town centre.  Simply roam these narrow streets where you will come across picturesque scenes and views. The centre is still enclosed within its defensive walls, which gives a real sense of history. The busiest streets are lined with restaurants and bars and with souvenir shops selling ceramics, sandals, handicrafts, etc

DSCF1246
DSCF1247
DSCF1252
DSCF1248

Although our stay here was short, it was long enough to see what a beautiful area this part of Italy is; as is most of the Adriatic Coastline.  I have no doubt that it would be a wonderful place to stay for several days.

DSCF1258
DSCF1259
DSCF1243

We stayed long enough for a swim in the vibrant turquoise waters of Castro Marina and a light lunch and a visit to the fascinating Grotto Zinsulusa.  The tour of the grotto was fascinating and a highly enjoyable experience. Our tour guide was a geologist by profession and was extremely well versed in the geological composition of the cave as well as its history. The cave itself is stunning and really worth a visit with its spectacular stalactites and stalagmites and incredible rock formations. Once you exit the caves you walk a few hundred metres and you can have a cool dip in the electric blue waters of Castro dei Marini as there is a small platform with swimming pool steps into the sea. This is some of the most beautiful water I have ever swam in…simply divine…heavenly!!!
Visit the Zinsulusa caves and take a dip in the sea afterwards. It’s a spectacular combination!

DSCF1260
DSCF1257
DSCF1261
DSCF1255

If you want to get away from the crowded resorts with their umbrellas and recliner chairs, and swim alone… come to this little place. Very picturesque with beautiful waters to swim in.

DSCF1266
Advertisements

Vieste – A town on the Adriatic coast of Italy

15 Monday Apr 2013

Posted by Lyn Douglas in Castelraimondo, The Road Trip, Vieste

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

caves, foggia, gargano coast, jet boat, vieste

After we left the school in Castelraimondo, we drove east.  One of the towns we visited was Vieste. 

Vieste map

It was a beautiful drive along the coast out to the headland with stunning scenery. We stopped at one of the road side vendors and bought fresh locally grown fruits.

DSCF1140

DSCF1138

Then we arrived in the centre of the town. Vieste is a town and comune in the province of Foggia, in the Apulia region of southeast Italy. It is a marine resort on the Gargano promontory, a rocky mass that makes up part of the “heel” of Italy

DSCF1146 DSCF1142 DSCF1143

For years, Vieste was just another fishing village but now it’s a popular Mediterranean beach destination. The conditions for swimming, sailing or boating are fabulous. The water is crystal clear, clean and deep blue.

DSCF1147

We seemed to be the only English speaking people in town, although  Liane is from Brazil, however she speaks perfect English and very good Italian.  We sat for a coffee and worked out our plans for the day.

DSCF1144

After exploring the town by foot we took a jet boat ride to tour the caves which are on the coast and accessible by boat. It only costs about 10 euro each.

DSCF1157 DSCF1156

DSCF1160 DSCF1171

We stopped at one of the local beaches for a wander around and a snack or in my case a gelato.

DSCF1167

We returned on the the boat to town for lunch, we then took a very long walk along the beautiful main beach with is exquisite white sand.

DSCF1152 DSCF1150

Vieste’s tourist office is located in the centre of town.   In summer several companies offer trips to Isole Tremiti and to the Gargano coast to view the caves.

DSCF1160 DSCF1161 DSCF1163

Although we drove to Vieste in our rental car, you can get to Vieste by Sita bus www.sitabus.it  from Foggia. There are also other bus services from other towns on the promontory. www.ferroviedelgargano.com

DSCF1196

Ascoli Piceno – Le Marche

25 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by Lyn Douglas in Ascoli Piceno, Castelraimondo, Italy on Budget, Language Schools, Monti Sibillini - Sibillini Mountains, Pievebovigliana, Rent a house in Italy, The Road Trip

≈ 17 Comments

Tags

Ascoli Piceno, Monti Sibillini

I have visited Ascoli Piceno twice.  The first time was on the road trip with Liane after we left the school in Castelraimondo.

map

Ascoli Piceno is a town and a commune in Le Marche region of Italy.

The town lies at the confluence of the Tronto River and the small river Castellano and is surrounded on three sides by mountains. Two natural parks border the town, one on the northwestern flank Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini and the other on the southern  Parco Nazionale dei Monti della Laga.

Piazza del Popolo

We stopped for coffee in Piazza del Popolo (“Square of the People”) . Piazza del Popolo is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Italy. It is a pleasure to sit in one of the many cafes around the square and people watch.

DSCF1120

The central historical part of the city is built in marble called travertine,  a grey-hued stone extracted from the surrounding mountains.

DSCF1122

Ascoli has good rail connections to the Adriatic coast and the city of San Benedetto del Tronto, by highway to Porto d’Ascoli and by the Italian National Road 4 Salaria  to Rome.

DSCF1131

Everything inside the fortified town can be reached on foot.  There is a tourist office on the ground floor of the Palazzo dei capitani in the Piazza del Popolo where they will explain to you where to walk to and what to see.

piazza-del-popolo-viewDSCF1129

One year later, while staying  in the house in Pievebovigliana, our friends Malcolm and Maureen took us to Caldorola, Sarnano, Amondola and then Ascoli Piceno. We arrived in time for an hour or so of exploring and then lunch at the Café Vittoria where I enjoyed the most superb salmon pasta.

DSCF2006

Then for some more exploring till early evening before driving back to Sarnano.

DSCF2007

DSCF1130 DSCF1127

Ascoli Piceno is a small town, well worth seeing as it is lovely! We had a great time here,  we enjoyed the magic of the place and the architecture is amazing.  There are many chic restaurants and cafes.

Lecce – The Road Trip

07 Friday Sep 2012

Posted by Lyn Douglas in Agriturismo, Lecce, The Road Trip

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

agriturismo, italy, lecce

As we continued our road trip down the Adriatic coast we visited the town of Lecce.

Church of Santa Croce

Lecce is in the heal of the boot and not far from the Adriatic Coast.  You could easily spend a day or 2 here wandering around this gorgeous town.

Piazza del Duomo

Lecce is a historic city of 95,200 inhabitants, the capital of the province of Lecce,  and one of the most important cities of Puglia.

We parked the car and explored Lecce by foot. It is a beautiful and interesting city with many Baroque buildings. Lecce is commonly nicknamed “The Florence of the South” because of the rich baroque architectural monuments found in this city.

In terms of industry the “Lecce stone” is the city’s main export, because it is very soft and malleable, thus suitable for sculptures. Lecce stone is a kind of limestone. Lecce is also an important  agricultural centre, chiefly for its olive oil and wine production, as well as an industrial centre specialising in ceramic  production.

Church of San Giovanni Battista

The Roman Amphitheatre

We were so enthralled by this beautiful city that we lost track of time and when we returned to our car we had an expired parking meter ticket. After asking around and then going to the police station we found out the way to pay for this ticket, which was to pay at the local post office (unificio postale). So we lined up with the locals to pay our parking ticket which cost 25 euro.

After leaving Lecce, we drove to San Foca where we stayed the night in a wonderful agriturismo.

Agriturismo – The Road Trip

14 Tuesday Aug 2012

Posted by Lyn Douglas in Agriturismo, Italy on Budget, The Road Trip

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

agriturismo, italy

After my 4 weeks at school (scuola) my new friend from Brazil, Liane and I hired a car and we went traveling. We drove down the east coast of Italy as far as Otranto and then we headed west towards Naples (Napoli). Each night we stayed at an Agriturismo. I had purchased a book on Agriturismo from the tabacchi store however if you do not have a book, we found that there were always signs indicating the local agriturismo in each town and village we visited. Plus of course you can find them on the net.

Agriturismo is a combination of 2 words, agriculture and tourism. It is a style of accommodation staying in farm house resorts. This style of accommodation was introduced into Italy in 1985 by the Italian government to help the struggling farmers. These agritourismi allowed the small farmer to supplement their income from the farm, and for visitors to sample the enjoyment of a rural life in Italy.

A range of produce at one of the agriturismo

An agriturismo holiday/vacation is suitable for singles, couples or the whole family. Some of these places can be very romantic and luxurious. An Italian agriturismo will usually serve foods to guests prepared from their own or local produce. The agriturismo can be a rustic experience or can feature luxurious accommodation as well as including swimming pools. The evening meal and breakfast is often a family type affair, dining with other guests and or the family. The meals are superb and usually traditional local cuisine.

At one of the agriturismo the owner took us into the local village one evening for drinks and to meet the locals,

Il Giardino – Contursi Termi Agriturismo

at another we were shown around the property by the owner’s son.

View up to the village from the agriturismo in the evening

The food was always superb, traditional, home cooked meals.

The price for the accommodation including the meals was good value.  We stayed in these Agriturismo farms from east to west and then we travelled by ferry to Sardinia where we stayed for 4 nights, traveled around the entire island and once again stayed in Agriturismo.

View from an agriturismo on Sardegnia

We found that at each agriturismo they made us so welcome and in most cases treated us like family. The rooms were always very comfortable –  hotel type rooms with your own ensuite bathroom. The price for the room included

Click here  for more information and here 

 

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,894 other followers

Categories

  • 10 Things we love about Italy
  • Abetone
  • Adelaide
  • Adriatic Coast
  • Agriturismo
  • Ala Moana – Honolulu Hawaii
  • Alberobello
  • Amalfi Coast
  • Ancona
  • Angera
  • Angkor Wat, Cambodia
  • Arezzo
  • Asakusa, Tokyo
  • Ascoli Piceno
  • Assisi
  • Auckland Waterfront, New Zealand
  • Australia
  • Australia Day
  • Australia Day in Iluka
  • Australian Tea Plantation
  • Back in Italy
  • Bagni di Lucca
  • Bangkok
  • Barga – Hilltop Town
  • Barossa Valley
  • Baveno – Lago Maggiore
  • Beautiful House in The Italian Mountains
  • Big Island
  • Big Island Candies
  • Big Island Hawaii
  • Bike Riding in Lucca
  • Birthday in Italy
  • Boat Trip to Verbania – Open Air markets at Intra
  • Botanic Gardens Lucca
  • Bridge over River Kwai
  • Brisbane
  • Brisbane Arcade, Brisbane Queensland
  • Brisbane City Botanical Gardens
  • Brisbane City Hall
  • Brisbane on Foot
  • Brisbane River
  • Buon Giorno from Rome
  • Buon Natale
  • Burano
  • Buses in Rome
  • Cable Car Stresa – Alpina – Mottarone
  • Cable Cars
  • Cambodia
  • Camerino
  • Campo de Fiori – Rome
  • Carmel by the Sea
  • Carnival of Flowers
  • Carnival of Flowers 2018
  • Casa Debbio – Vergemoli
  • Castel Gandoldo
  • Castel Sant' Angelo
  • Castello Estense – Majestic Castle in Ferrara
  • Castelraimondo
  • Catacombe
  • Catacombs
  • Celedon Tea House Chiang Mai
  • Central Markets Phnom Pehn
  • Central Markets Phnom Penh
  • Chain of Craters Road, Volcano National Park
  • Changing the Flowers on the bridge
  • Chiang Mai
  • Christmas
  • Christmas 2017 in Brisbane
  • Christmas in Australia
  • Christmas in Brisbane
  • Christmas in Brisbane 2018
  • Cinque Terre
  • Coffs Harbour
  • Coffs Jetty
  • Colleges Crossing
  • Cooking In Italy
  • Corniglia
  • Cortona
  • Cotton Tree
  • Cruise to No Where
  • Cu Chi Tunnels Vietnam
  • Customs and Etiquette in Italy
  • D'Aguilar Range
  • Da Nang and Lady Buddha
  • Day trip
  • Devonport, Auckland
  • Devonshire Tea in the Mountains at the Winery
  • Diggers Beach, Coffs Harbour
  • Dog Watching in Italy
  • Dotonbori, Osaka. Japan
  • Drinking water
  • Dukes for Coffee in Waikiki
  • Duomo Milan
  • Early Morning on the Brisbane River
  • Easter in Coffs Harbour
  • Easter in Coffs Harbour Australia
  • Eat Street Markets
  • Eat Street Markets Brisbane
  • Elegant Renaissance Piazza – Piazza dei Signori, Padova
  • Elephant Rock at Currumbin Beach, Gold Coast
  • Enchanting Medieval Town
  • Eremo di Calomini
  • Fiesole
  • Floating Village on Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia.
  • Florence
  • Fornoli – Workers Lunch
  • Forte dei Marmi
  • Gardens in Italy
  • Garfagnana
  • Gatstronomia Prodotti Tipici
  • Gelato – a sweet dream from Italy
  • Giro d' Italia – Arezzo
  • Glenreagh
  • Gold Coast
  • Golden Gate Bridge
  • Greve in Chianti
  • Grotto del Vento
  • Guinigi Tower – Lucca
  • Ha Long Bay Cruise
  • Hairy Maclary
  • Hamilton Gardens, New Zealand
  • Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Happy 2014
  • Happy Christmas
  • Havannah Harbour
  • Hawaii
  • Hawaii – Waikiki
  • hello from Japan
  • Hill Towns
  • Hilo
  • Hilo Farmers Markets
  • Hiroshima
  • Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
  • Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi
  • Hobbiton
  • Hoi An
  • Honolulu
  • Hop on hop off bus
  • Il Prato – Park in Arezzo
  • Iluka
  • Inner City Beauty
  • International Market Place Waikiki
  • Isola Bella
  • Italian Food
  • Italian Language
  • Italian Mountains, Maserati and Me
  • Italy on Budget
  • James Street Markets
  • Japan
  • Japan – The Timeless Country
  • Jungle River Raft Resort
  • Kailua Beach Hawaii
  • Kangaroo Island
  • Karawatha Forest, Brisbane
  • La Brindisi, Ferrrara
  • La Fontana
  • La Spezia
  • Lake Ashi, Hakone
  • Lake Maggiore
  • Land of Smiles
  • Language Schools
  • Laurel Bank Park
  • Lava Glow by Night
  • Lecce
  • Lerici
  • Lido
  • Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens
  • Limano – A village in Bagni di Lucca
  • Little Italy
  • Lost post
  • Lucca
  • Lugliano Bagni di Lucca
  • Lunch on Waikiki Beach
  • Macerata
  • Magnificent Medieval Duomo – Orvieto
  • Manarola
  • Marble mountain
  • Market Day in Castelnuovo Garfagnano
  • Market Day in Pistoia
  • Markets
  • Martkets in Lucca
  • Marvelous Melbourne
  • Mỹ Sơn
  • McLaren Falls Park
  • Meiji Jingu Shrine
  • Mekong Delta
  • Memories. Bagni di Lucca
  • Merry Christmas
  • Mid North Coast NSW
  • Miyagawa Morning markets
  • Miyajima Island, Hiroshima, Japan
  • Monasteries
  • Montecarlo
  • Montefegatesi – Bagni di Lucca
  • Monterey
  • Monterosso
  • Monti Sibillini – Sibillini Mountains
  • Mount Mauganui. The Mount
  • Mount Taranaki, New Plymouth
  • Muccia
  • Muir Woods
  • Murano
  • My birthday in Rome
  • My Perfect Australia Day
  • My reasons for travelling to Italy
  • Napa Valley
  • Nelson Mandela
  • New Zealand
  • Noosa Farmers Markets
  • Norcia
  • O'Reilly's Vineyard and Winery
  • Ocean View
  • One Day visit to Cinque Terre
  • One Perfect Day
  • Orvieto
  • Otranto
  • Padova
  • Palazzo della Ragione, Padova
  • Pantheon Rome
  • Paradise Point Qld
  • Park beach, Coffs Harbour
  • Passeggiata – An evening stroll in Italy
  • Pattaya
  • Perugia
  • Piazza
  • Piazza dell' Anfiteatro
  • Piazza della Frutta
  • Piazza Grande – Arezzo
  • Piazza Navona
  • Piazza with Pizzaz – Piazza della Repubblica
  • Pievebovigliana
  • Pompeii
  • Ponte a Serraglio
  • Ponte a Serraglio – Bagni di Lucca
  • Porto Venere
  • Positano
  • Praiano
  • Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau
  • Puglia
  • Punalu'u Beach Sand Beach, Hawaii
  • Pupukea North Shore Oahu
  • Purple Season in Brisbane
  • Queensland
  • Raffles Hotel
  • Ravello
  • Redcliffe
  • Rent a house in Italy
  • Restaurant
  • Return to Bagni di Lucca
  • Riomaggiore
  • Rocca Borromeo of Angera
  • Roma Street Parklands, Brisbane
  • Rome
  • San Cassiano – Bagni di Lucca
  • San Francisco
  • San Gimignano
  • San Lorenzo Markets
  • San Marino
  • San Severino
  • San Terenzo
  • Sanctuary Cove
  • Sant'Agnello
  • Santa Caterina del Sasso
  • Sausalito
  • Sawtell
  • School Excursions
  • Shirakawa-Go
  • Shopping in San Gimignano
  • Siem Reap Tuk Tuk
  • Siena
  • Singapore
  • Snapshot of Japan
  • Snow Monkey Park, Japan
  • Solar Plane – Hawaii
  • Solitary Islands Coastal Walk
  • South Australia
  • Spello
  • Spring Bluff
  • St Francis Blessing of the Animals
  • Stresa
  • Student Travelling
  • Sung Sot Cave, "Surprise" Cave
  • Sunshine Coast
  • Supermarket in Italy
  • Taraunga
  • Te Puna Quarry
  • Terme – Thermal Baths in Bagni di Lucca
  • Termoli
  • Thailand
  • Thank You
  • The Apartment in Lucca
  • The City of Lanterns
  • The Hilltop Town, Orvieto
  • The Holidays in Rome
  • The Road Trip
  • Toowoomba
  • Torre Pellice
  • Train travel in Italy
  • Travel tips
  • Truffle Hunting
  • Tuscany
  • Tūpare Gardens, New Plymouth
  • umbria
  • Uncategorized
  • Underground City Tour
  • Urbino
  • Vanuatu
  • Venice
  • Vernazza
  • Verona
  • Viareggiio
  • Vico Pancellorum
  • Vieste
  • Vietnam
  • Villa Grabau
  • Vinci, Tuscany
  • Viste
  • Volcano National Park
  • Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda and Buddhist temple
  • Wagging School
  • Water Fountains
  • Waterfront Tauranga
  • Wellington
  • White Kiwi Bird
  • Wine Tasting in Tuscany
  • Woolgoolga
  • Woopi

Recent Posts

  • Moments of Reflection and Peace in this Beautiful Park.
  • Vivacious and Exciting – Dotonbori
  • Magical Japanese Island – with wild deer, oysters, temples and Torii Gate
  • A Leisurely Morning at the Markets interacting with the Locals
  • A Lovely Walk in the Forest but no Monkeys

Archives

  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012

Blogs I Follow

  • Travel Gourmet
  • RTW Roxy
  • The Optimism of Color
  • Santiago the Shepherd
  • Prayers and Piazzas
  • View from the Back
  • Edith Levy Photography
  • The Godly Chic Diaries
  • The Ecstatic Storyteller
  • LISMORE PAPER
  • Celia in Tokyo
  • carpediemeire
  • Japan's Wonders
  • Where to next?
  • Wish to Dish
  • From London to Longoio (and Lucca and Beyond) Part Three
  • Iris@poetsmith
  • In the Net! - Stories of Life and Narcissistic Survival
  • Cards & Co
  • Yeah, Another Blogger
Advertisements

Blog at WordPress.com.

Travel Gourmet

Travel tips-Restaurant reviews-Recipes (Formerly The Single Gourmet & Traveller blog)

RTW Roxy

23 years old girl travelling solo on a motorcycle.

The Optimism of Color

A twice-weekly celebration of color in the photos & art of Linda Joyce Ott

Santiago the Shepherd

“It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”

Prayers and Piazzas

View from the Back

The ramblings of a retiree who cycles and cooks in France

Edith Levy Photography

Writing with Light

The Godly Chic Diaries

BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

The Ecstatic Storyteller

I read; I travel; I become

LISMORE PAPER

Papercrafts, Art, Graphics, & Restoration

Celia in Tokyo

Adventures and insights of an expat in Japan

carpediemeire

Irish travel blog specialising in cultural travel.

Japan's Wonders

Exploring Japan's popular tourist spots and off-the-beaten paths

Where to next?

Riding in cars with dogs

Wish to Dish

Celebrating food and all the joy that comes from creating and eating it.

From London to Longoio (and Lucca and Beyond) Part Three

Iris@poetsmith

Simply Poetry

In the Net! - Stories of Life and Narcissistic Survival

Sometimes, life is like that.

Cards & Co

cards and other happy thoughts

Yeah, Another Blogger

An Arts-Filled, Tasty And Sometimes-Loopy Jaunt Through Life

Cancel
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy