Road.Travel Road.Travel

    Day Itinerary

    14 Activities
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    Day 1

    106 mi2 mi

    Ionian Coast: Low And Sandy Coasts

    On this first day we will travel the coast along the Ionian Sea, not missing a swim in the sea at one of Salento's most famous beaches for its white sand, Punta Prosciutto.
    During the first stop we will visit the city of Taranto, often known more for the steelworks located on its outskirts than for the beauty of its sea or the history of its castle or rotating bridge.
    We will stop for the night in Porto Cesareo before resuming our journey south.
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    09:00

    Bari

    53.3 mi
    1 hr 20 min
    Parcheggio Via Garibaldi
    10:305 min

    Parcheggio Via Garibaldi

    Parking
    Open Details
    One of the parts I loved the most is the old town and its harbor, the area where we will park the car. From here we will continue on foot. Behind the parking lot are the beautiful historic fishermen's cottages, many now converted a beautiful bed and breakfast.
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    0.2 mi
    5 min
    San Cataldo's Cathedral
    10:4530 min

    San Cataldo's Cathedral

    Church
    Open Details
    The Cathedral of San Cataldo is located in the heart of the old city of Taranto and is a sight to behold as well as being the oldest in Apulia. Look up and admire the wooden coffered ceiling and the gilded decorations that characterise the building. (admission is free).
    Once out, we cross the entire island where the old part of the city is located in the direction of the Aragonese castle.
    My advice is to take a few small alleys and let your instincts guide you, you will find glimpses as beautiful as they are authentic, amidst old shop signs, some of which are now closed.
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    0.2 mi
    5 min
    Caffé Letterario
    11:2030 min

    Caffé Letterario

    Bar
    Open Details
    The Literary Café struck me because of the inscription drawn on the door and visible when this is closed: "that of the bicycle is the only chain that sets us free." Beautiful!
    Let's stop for a coffee or refill our water bottle before starting the guided tour of the castle.
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    0.3 mi
    10 min
    Castello Aragonese
    12:001 hr

    Castello Aragonese

    Open Details
    Taranto Castle possesses in its walls the history of successive dominations, in the true sense of the word, as successive buildings were placed on top of each other. We can admire Greek, Byzantine and Norman-Swabian-Angevin remains.
    The part I loved the most was the dungeons with the hole in the ceiling from where ammunition was passed from below to above, today more a window to the sky.
    The Aragonese Castle can be visited every day thanks to the work of the Italian Navy, which took charge of the renovations and cultural dissemination of the history of the structure.
    To visit it for free call +39 0997753438 and book at the time that suits you best, the visits in fact take place from 06:00 to 03:00 in the morning, it may sound strange but that's just how it is. He admits that I would have loved to visit in the middle of the night but I succumbed to sleep and missed this experience.
    Here the official website of the Castle.
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    0.2 mi
    5 min
    Ponte San Francesco di Paola
    13:055 min

    Ponte San Francesco di Paola

    Open Details
    The bridge that connects the old city with the new one has a special feature, a true jewel of engineering ingenuity: it is revolving. It is one of the rare examples of this type and although it is still functioning today it is rarely activated.
    During your visit to the castle, you will also be shown the ancient hydraulic pump used to turn it, which is kept within its walls.
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    0.3 mi
    10 min
    Piazza Marinai D'Italia
    13:2010 min

    Piazza Marinai D'Italia

    Open Details
    Piazza Marinai D'Italia is a marvellous terrace overlooking the sea, overlooked by one of the city's examples of Fascist architecture: the Palazzo del Governo.
    On the rocks just below, the statues of the city's mermaids lie placidly.
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    0.4 mi
    10 min
    Ricci - Pizzaioli dal 1963
    13:401 hr

    Ricci - Pizzaioli dal 1963

    Restaurant
    Open Details
    It's not Italy without pizza, and at Ricci's we can take the opportunity not to miss the chance to enjoy a great one! In addition to pizza, you can try the typical Apulian puccia or panzerotti, with all the leavened products you will be on the safe side.
    It is open every day from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm, 6 pm to 1 am, this is the number to book: +39 099 994 5890.
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    0.1 mi
    5 min
    Fontana
    14:4530 min

    Fontana

    Landmark
    Open Details
    We are at the end of our walk through downtown Taranto and will cross the streets of the new city to return to the car.
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    0.9 mi
    20 min
    Parcheggio Via Garibaldi
    15:355 min

    Parcheggio Via Garibaldi

    Parking
    Open Details
    We officially leave Taranto and head south in the direction of Torre Colimena.
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    42.4 mi
    1 hr 10 min
    Torre Colimena
    16:5015 min

    Torre Colimena

    Lodging
    Open Details
    Torre Colimena is one of the many constructions built by Charles V around 1500 to protect the territories from Turkish invasions.
    All of these towers rise along the sea and stood as lookouts of the seas, close enough to be able to communicate with each other. Some of them are open and can be visited, others allow us to climb their steps, and still others have been fenced off because they are no longer safe.
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    2.7 mi
    10 min
    Spiaggia di Punta Prosciutto
    17:151 hr 30 min

    Spiaggia di Punta Prosciutto

    Open Details
    Welcome to the Caribbean! Ah no, it's Puglia!
    After a full day of sightseeing and walking, you've earned a moment to relax: grab your swimsuit and beach towel, it's time for a dip.
    The sand here is fine and very white, the water turquoise and transparent.
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    8 mi
    20 min
    Bar Principe
    19:0530 min

    Bar Principe

    Bar
    Open Details
    It may not be the most beautiful bar in the world, but in my opinion it has the most beautiful view of the Porto Cesareo sunset!
    Enjoy an aperitif with some taralli and olives while watching the sea turn silver before going to dinner.
    You will park here in the area and then continue on foot until the next morning when we leave Porto Cesareo.
    The bar is open daily, Monday through Friday from 12:00 to 23:00 and on weekends from 10:00 to 02:00. Here the official website.
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    0.1 mi
    5 min
    Ristorante Al Gambero
    19:401 hr

    Ristorante Al Gambero

    Bar
    Open Details
    The restaurant at the Prawn has a beautiful view of the sea; call to request a table in the area with the windows facing that direction.
    Apulians normally start meals with a wide selection of appetizers that they share, so you will find many, including raw fish on the menu.
    If you feel like trying a typical dessert, I suggest the spumone.
    The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays while other days it is open from 12:00 to 15:00 and 19:30 to 23:59.
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    Day 2
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