Thursday, March 26, 2015

Puglia- Part 3 (virtual)

I recently read one of those foolproof guides '10 things you can do to be happier right now!' and number 8 was; 'plan a trip, but don't take it', with scientific proof that claimed the planning stages of a holiday release oxytocin or some happy chemicals and can trick your brain into a holiday mindset when you're actually seated in front of a computer.

Awesome!

This theory was high in my mind when I started this virtual series of blog posts to cover what we missed on our trip to Puglia. But it's not working. I find imagining what it would be like to visit these places is leaving me a bit disillusioned and disgruntled. I want to see these places, not for the pretty views and official histories, but for the food that we eat, the people we meet, the odd and interesting stories that we collect when we're in a new place. And for the wonder on my 3 year old's face when she see's something new.

(Snow!)

While a good creative exercise, inventing these details isn't as fun as having them. So this last post on Puglia is going to be just a quick list of what we expect to find when we do manage to return, if possible in a season other than winter.

Leuca

This is where we were going to stay, at the very southern tip of Puglia. White sand beaches and a beautiful harbour, we planned on taking a boat out one day to explore the coast and limestone grottos, going horse riding along deserted beaches, and having a great home base for exploring nearby towns.

                                         photo: viaggiafacile.it

Gallipoli

Not the Gallipoli of Anzac fame, this town is an island fortress, and the place for planned seafood extravagance.
                                          photo: italyadvisor.co.uk

Lecce

'The Florence of the south', Lecce is home to amazing Baroque architecture and a rich history stretching back to its foundation by Cretans. Local dialects are still quite close to the greek language.  

                                          photo: emmeti.it

Otranto

'Otranto' is in the Italian phonetic alphabet for 'O' and i have to say it twice when someone asks me to 'fare spelling' of my surname. (Roma, Ancona, Savona, Hotel, Bologna, Roma, Otranto, Otranto, Kappa) Such an alphabet exists in english, but I believe is used mostly for radio or military communication. Here its a thing. And Otranto is hard to say twice when you're rolling your R's. Try it. 

The town of Otranto and seaside aren't too shabby, incidentally. 
photo: residencebarbara.com


      photo: regionepuglia.org


And that is where we intended to spend our last couple of days in Puglia, the only people on deserted beaches, enjoying the soft warmth of the first rays of spring. Thanks for seeing Puglia with us!

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