Looking for the perfect gift for that friend, family member, or colleague who loves Italy and/or is a rabid chocoholic?
01.11.2023 - 20:07 / cntraveler.com / Marine Reserve
Over the past couple of years, Puglia has become one of Italy's trending destinations—but there is more to the region than just photo-worthy locations. Puglia is home to numerous folkloric traditions, ancient histories and diverse landscapes, from the dramatic coastline along the Parco Nazionale del Gargano to the scattered trulli in the Valle d’Itria and the crystalline beaches of Salento. It’s truly difficult to narrow down the best things to do in Puglia, but the following 11 are the most spectacular experiences you need to consider on your next trip.
The region is characterized by an extensive and diverse coastline (nearly 600 miles long) between the Adriatic and Ionian seas. From dramatic cliffs to the long swath of sandy beaches passing through crescent-shaped rocky coves, finding the best beach can be daunting. But the formula is simple: catch the early morning sun along the east coast and golden sunsets in the south and west. One of the most enchanting beaches is Punta della Suina, in Gallipoli. Fringed by a dense pine forest, its rugged coastline descends into crystal clear, shallow turquoise waters. However, a true, hidden gem is Cala dell’Acquaviva—a small rocky cove among staggering rocks on the eastern coast between Santa Cesarea Terme, and Tricase. The water, fed by both salt and spring water, is strikingly fresh, and there’s a small kiosk on site to stock up on cold drinks and snacks.
The Thremiti Islands are one of Italy's most fascinating archipelagos, with some of the world's most beautiful beaches on the shores.
Legend states that the Greek King Diomedes threw three rocks from the Gargano upon his return from the Trojan War, and these rocks created the Tremiti islands—one of the most fascinating archipelagos in Italy. The largest and greenest of the isles, San Dominio, is home to some of the most beautiful beaches, including the secret sandy patches of Cala Matano and the rocky coves of Cala del Pigno. From San Dominio, you can take a motorboat to explore San Nicola, best known for its historical sites such as the monastery Santa Maria a Mare and the 13th-century Badiali Castle, and the island of Capraia, where you can swim in the beautiful inlets amidst the rocks. Cretaccio, the smallest of the islands, and Pianosa, a protected Marine Reserve, are also stunning places to visit if you have time.
Lecce is known as the Florence of the South for its open-air museum quality, with a rich heritage unveiled through numerous architectural styles.
Also known as the ‘Florence of the South’, Lecce is a major attraction for culture-seeking travelers—the historic city feels like an open-air museum. Distinct Leccese limestone envelops the town, and its rich heritage is unveiled through numerous
Looking for the perfect gift for that friend, family member, or colleague who loves Italy and/or is a rabid chocoholic?
Home to many of the world's greatest works of art, architecture and gastronomy, Italy elates, inspires and moves like no other.
There’s an affinity between trains and Christmas, but what precisely is the connection? Ghostliness comes into it – the mystique of a train in the wintry night. I think of the misty, hypnotic adaptation of Dickens’s story The Signalman, in 1976, part of the BBC’s A Ghost Story for Christmas strand; or the ghost story in the Christmas number of the Railway magazine (that publication’s only excursion into whimsicality is always worth reading).
Whether you're visiting Lima as a destination in its own right or here for a brief stopover before heading on to Cuzco and the Andes, there’s no bad time of year to visit.
This is part of our global guide to the Best Places to Go in 2024—find more travel inspiration here.
You’ll never see it all in one trip – which is just as well as Finland has got enough to hook you for a lifetime.
The ancient peaks of Italy’s Dolomites are dramatic silver-grey canvases for the elements, reflecting the ever-changing hues of the skies. Come winter, fresh powder dusts the UNESCO World Heritage-listed mountain range and the area becomes a sprawling playground for snow-lovers. Encompassing 12 diverse ski resorts and over 745 miles of pistes, the Dolomiti Superski area enables visitors to combine picturesque skiing with the rich cultural heritage of South Tyrol, Trentino and Veneto.
Go up north for festive fun in the city of Manchester, with the main market hub situated in Albert Square, twinkling beneath the town hall. Follow the trail of market stalls through the city centre to find little Christmas gems – including amber jewellery, Belgian chocolate and French soaps.
Girl dinner doesn’t have to be basic. And if you know someone who indulges in girl dinner on a regular basis, this gift guide will help them make the most of doing the least, deliciously of course. Whether it’s specialty tinned fish, internationally sourced snacks, gourmet pasta or dishware that make girl dinner feel gourmet, these girl dinner gifts from around the world elevate the humble meal to a truly gift-worthy occasion.
The Alps tend to tower to mind when you picture skiing in Europe, cutting across France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.
With a new year approaching and new resolutions in mind, learning a language is one of those items that often appears on many personal lists. Travel experts and language institutions regularly publish surveys on the best destinations to do so, echoing the simple fact that in our interconnected, “globalized” world, the ability to communicate in more than one language opens new opportunities, experiences and understanding.
Guatemala may be called the Land of Eternal Spring, but that doesn’t mean the weather is spring-like all year round.