Brindisi

From the moment you step off the plane, you will be greeted by the bright sunshine high in the skyline of Puglia. As you make your way through the windy narrow streets, the colourful houses, singing conversations and washing lines hanging from the windows will give you a little taste of southern Italy. Brindisi also has a rich heritage reflected in its architecture: the Roman Column (over 2300 years old), its archaeological museum and its many Baroque churches.

Let’s face it : when it comes to cooking Italians do it best! And the port city of Brindisi is no exception to this. In Brindisi, you can enjoy a bit of burrata with your frittata or freshly caught seafood and fish. Every region has its own pasta in Italy! In Puglia its orecchiette. They owe their name to their shape, which resembles a small ear. You need to try it with anchovies, chickpeas and sautéed turnip spouts! For dessert, try homemade ice cream or Pasticciotto with pastry cream.

After a stroll along the port, take a boat ride to Alfonsino Castle and its medieval fortress. This is a great way to get a different view of the city, watching the sunset over the water. And a holiday in Brindisi is the perfect time for a dip in the water and a spot of sunbathing. With fine sandy beaches and crystal-clear water, it’s no wonder Brindisi is often compared to the Maldives. And all this is just 2.5 hours from Nantes!

Brindisi is not too far from Puglia. By train, you can reach Lecce in 25 minutes; and Bari in just over an hour. It’s a quick and cheap way to get from town to town. Stop off in the white hilltop town of Ostuni or Monopoli for a dip in the wild covers. Finally, don’t miss Bari, the region’s capital, with its charming historic centre and St. Nicholas Basilica.