We want to spend a few nights in a quiet coastal town - not too touristy. We have a 8-year-old so we'd like do some swimming and spend quiet days hanging out seaside so we think the Adriatic coast might be best. Otranto and Trani both sound promising. We will be there the first week of July. Thoughts on either/both - or another?
Posted by
Gaston, Oregon, USA
931 posts
Not much swimming, that I know of, around Trani. My wife did some shopping and we enjoyed the seaside restaurants. But Otranto is a neat town and has some great swiming and sand dunes a few miles North of town, or you could drive down to some of the Southern beaches. Read more here: http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/05/06/travel/06Puglia.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Posted by
Centennial, CO, US
2195 posts
Nope, no swimming in Trani, but maybe 30 minutes north is a small town called Margherita de savoia (sp?) with a huge gorgeous white sand beach. Cute little town. Lots of hotels near beach. The big attraction there is a huge salt flat. There are probably lots of other great beaches along that coastline. There's a nature preserve (Torre guacito ?) further south. Google these and others you might find on a map.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Just FYI, Otranto is pronounced with the emphasis on the first syllable. Awkward to say, but there you have it.
Posted by
OP
Vancouver, Canada
18 posts
How big is Otranto? Thanks for the suggestions - I will look into them.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, US
2195 posts
We visited Otranto for a day via train from Lecce. It's a small town built around a small harbor. We didn't find it particularly scenic or charming, although some people do, so this may be matter of personal preference. We found Gallipoli to be much more picturesque and "genuine" feeling; not sure if it has a swimming beach, though. I would recommend that you do searches on Google, Wikipedia and Trip Advisor in order to decide what looks most appealing to you.
Posted by
OP
Vancouver, Canada
18 posts
Thanks Charlene. I will into that other town. Appreciate the tip!