The Amalfi Coast, with its chalk-colored towns clinging to the wooded coast, glorious food, fragrant citrus groves and glamorous beaches backed by Italy’s most stunning seacliffs, is one of Italy’s highlights.
09.02.2024 - 18:19 / lonelyplanet.com
It’s hard to believe that Puglia once played second fiddle to the likes of Tuscany.
Spanning Italy’s sinuous stiletto, this luminous southern region has some of the country’s cutest villages, quirkiest architecture and most knockout beaches. From a wild, wooded promontory to baroque cities and curious Hellenic towns, the following places merit a spot on any "Must See" Puglian hit list.
Forget the North Pole: you’ll find the real Santa in Bari. The city’s Herculean Basilica di San Nicola shelters the relics of St Nicholas, whose fondness for secret gift giving inspired the sleigh-riding legend of today. Yet, there’s more to this energetic port than its 12th-century Norman cathedral (and convenient ferry connections to Greece, Albania, Montenegro and Croatia).
Its lovable, labyrinthine old town – Bari Vecchia – also claims an excellent archaeological museum, not to mention the legendary pasta-making ladies of Arco Basso. Early each morning they set up their spianatoie (wooden boards) along the narrow backstreet and get to work, kneading, rolling and expertly shaping Puglia’s signature orecchiette. Ear-shaped pasta aside, the city also whets the appetite with focaccia barese (Bari-style focaccia), sgagliozze (polenta fritters) and panzerotti (deep-fried calzoni) – fortifying street snacks on any Bari bar crawl.
A chocolate box of photogenic paesi (towns) and arresting natural beauty, the Gargano Promontory is an all-in-one treat in Puglia’s northeast. Clifftop Vieste and Peschici make for ideal bases, their bright, Arabesque streets scattered with fluttering laundry, color-popping geraniums and seafood trattorie. In the warmer months, boat tours sail from their harbors to Gargano’s dazzling sea caves, coves and stacks.
Both towns are also summer gateways to the nearby Tremiti Islands, where fragrant hikes, crystal-clear seas and a medieval abbey make for an evocative offshore escape. Behind Vieste and Peschici, twisting backroads and hiking trails criss-cross the rugged, mountainous expanse of the Parco Nazionale del Gargano, home to ancient woodlands and brooding mountain villages. The prettiest of the lot is Monte Sant’Angelo, where, according to the faithful, the Archangel Michael made several apparitions in the fifth century.
Flat-roofed, cube-shaped buildings sprout directly from the cliffs in Polignano a Mare, precariously perched above a turquoise Adriatic. Its nail-biting location and sun-peeled charm is not lost on the thousands of holidaymakers who squeeze into its centro storico (historic center) each summer. For many, trip goals include a dip at Insta-famous Cala Porto beach. For others, it’s a reservation at Grotta Palazzese, a fine-dining restaurant some may argue is better known for its
The Amalfi Coast, with its chalk-colored towns clinging to the wooded coast, glorious food, fragrant citrus groves and glamorous beaches backed by Italy’s most stunning seacliffs, is one of Italy’s highlights.
Bengaluru, also known as Bangalore, is the capital of India’s southern Karnataka state and the epicenter of India’s high-tech industry. The city is also known for its green spaces and vibrant nightlife. There are numerous attractions, from historical landmarks to modern experiences, like the Lalbagh Botanical Garden, the Bengaluru Palace, and the ISKCON temple Bangalore. The city is also known as a great place to shop, home to numerous malls and markets.
Stretching along the sinewy curves of the Douro River, Porto is a city of hilly cobblestone lanes, avant-garde museums and grand architectural monuments that date back to the Middle Ages.
This year more folks are prioritizing travel and newfangled experiences. We’re inspired by beloved television shows à la Emily in Paris to reexamine cities we’ve previously visited. Scoring tickets to see our favorite musical artists, like Taylor Swift, fortuitously opens up the prospect of flying to a different country. A rising wellness and longevity movement encourages travelers to seek alcohol-free vacations. Slower and more intentional travel—quality over quantity—is important and sustainability and eco-minded experiences are at the forefront.
Whether it's crowd-free sandy bays, dramatic cliffscapes or marine life havens, travelers love a day out at the beach. Each year, travel review and advice site Tripadvisor releases a list of the world’s best beaches as part of its Travellers’ Choice Awards. The site analyses the tens of millions of reviews submitted by global travelers over the past 12 months and looks at the quality and quantity of ratings for beach experiences.
This Mother’s Day, treat your Mum to the luxurious wellness retreat she deserves so she can be the healthiest version of herself. With Mother’s Day on 10th March, Health and Fitness Travel, the wellness holidays specialists recommend the top retreats to take Mum away to. With a luxurious stay in Lithuania from £370 to an awe-inspiring adventure to Austria valued at £1,700, there are healthy breaks to cater for a range of budgets for all Mums to enjoy this Mother’s Day. So, whether it’s a serene snowy retreat in a captivating treehouse resort nestled in the Dolomites of Italy or a lavish spa experience in the sunny Algarve of Portugal, these unforgettable destinations are perfect for each and every mother.
The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root “yuj,” which means to unify. A growing number of yogis have taken this pursuit to a new level by joining immersive yoga retreats that offer a deeper connection with nature, the self, and the collective consciousness. Whether you practice daily or it’s your first time on the mat, embarking on a yoga retreat can allow you to focus on your well-being in a remote or natural setting. Studies have linked yoga to reduced stress, and committing to a structured program with daily classes can help you reap those benefits—while also enjoying the stunning surroundings of your chosen destination.
There's nothing like graduating to make you want a celebratory vacation.
A series of inviting new hotels are making their debut across Greece ahead of the 2024 summer months.
Forget Paris in spring: Rome is both warmer and cooler in the first few months of the year. The locals are in their winter black rollneck jumpers, accessorised with equally noir-ish sunglasses. With an average of 17C by March, it’s warm enough to sit outside cafés and bars, but not hot enough to fall foul of the “no shorts” rule enforced in Rome’s oldest churches.
I’ve enjoyed a lovely four- to five-day circular trip using ferries and bikes. We took the Brittany Ferries overnight sailing from Portsmouth-St Malo, then cycled along La Véloscénie [signposted cycle route] passing Mont Saint-Michel. At Domfront we took La Vélo Francette to Ouistreham and then the ferry back to Portsmouth. At least three-quarters of the ride is off road along former railway track cycle paths that are well maintained. Plenty of accommodation is available. With the exception of a hilly few miles around Flers, it’s all very easy and with the prevailing wind. The final 40 miles from the impressive Viaduc de Clécy is all downhill, passing Pegasus Bridge.Keith Perry
Following our college graduation last May, three of my best friends and I traveled to Greece for eight days.