Latest news with #Salento
Telegraph
08-07-2025
- Telegraph
The Puglian peninsula that British tourists have yet to discover
The sea in front of me was a whole spectrum of blues, from the crystalline aquamarine shallows where I could see golden sand below the lapping waves to turquoise and cobalt as the water started to become more than waist deep. My eight-year-old son, Zac, dived straight in to snorkel, popping up every so often clutching miniscule scaphopoda 'tusk' shells or a piece of bleached coral that he'd scooped up from the seabed below. We'd walked here through a pine forest and dunes, past signs telling us what to do if we spotted a loggerhead sea turtle nest and how we can help the local Calimera Sea Turtle Rescue Centre (CRTM). This was what Zac was hoping to spot underwater. But, as we were visiting in May before peak breeding season (typically June to September), I'd warned him that this was very unlikely. The handsome stretch of sand was in Salento, Puglia, south of the popular Torre San Giovanni beach and around a 10-minute drive from the town of Ugento. The beaches on this stretch of Ionian coastline have been given the nickname 'the Maldives of Italy' owing to their powdery white sands and sparklingly clear water, and are great for families as they stay shallow for hundreds of metres. Zac and my daughter May, 11, took full advantage of them. Instead of a long-haul flight to the Maldives, we'd flown to Brindisi airport in a little over three hours from Manchester at a fraction of the cost. Salento is the southernmost part of Puglia – the stiletto heel of Italy's boot. Puglia as a whole is becoming more popular with Britons and other international tourists – in 2024 there were 5.9 million arrivals to the region, an increase of 10.6 per cent compared to 2023. But, even though we visited during May half term, we only saw a handful of other British families. Our base was Vivosa Apulia Resort, an appealing all-inclusive option in the Litorale di Ugento Natural Park for families to see the best of this coastline. Chief executive Damiano Reale told me that although the hotel has noticed a gradual increase in British guests discovering the hotel and the Salento region, he still considers Salento to be 'one of Italy's best-kept secrets, still untouched by mass tourism with unspoiled beaches, authentic culture, incredible food and wine, and a true sense of peace'. The resort's 333 bedrooms are split across 10 two-storey courts made out of the local caramel-coloured limestone, called tuff. The grounds are home to three pool areas including one with water slides, as well as manicured gardens with fragrant rosemary bushes, lavender and purple flowering chives. And, while its own private stretch of beach can get busy at peak times, there are many spots in which to tuck yourself away, from hammocks in the pine forest to loungers. You don't have to jostle for space. One particularly popular spot in the morning is the coffee bar where, as part of the all-inclusive offering, espressos, cappuccinos, macchiatos and more are made to order, to accompany the vast breakfast buffet. All-inclusive buffets can become a bit same-y after a couple of nights, but the focus on fresh, regional food here kept things interesting, with rotating food stations where chefs offered up local orecchiette pasta and oysters, made salmon and beef steaks to order and showed off local cheese-making techniques. Its setting is what makes the resort particularly special, with paths through the pine-shaded Natural Park and a boardwalk to the beach through dunes covered in vegetation. The children loved spotting lizards scuttling across the paths as we walked to the sea and had we been there between June and September would have enjoyed the weekly educational workshops in collaboration with CRTM to learn about the care of injured sea turtles and conservation. While we stayed on the Ionian side of the peninsula, Salento has two coastlines and a good way to appreciate how calm and clear the seas are on this stretch is to visit the most southern point of Puglia, Santa Maria di Leuca, which the Romans called 'De Finibus Terrae' (at the ends of the earth). Here Punta Palascìa lighthouse marks the most easterly point of Italy and where the Ionian and Adriatic Seas meet. The town itself is a lovely place to explore, with grand 19th-century villas looking out to sea across a palm-tree lined promenade and the Cascata Monumentale – an artificially made waterfall with almost 300 steps to walk up (with water only flowing on certain nights over summer). To see both coastlines from the water, we took a boat trip with Alexander Leuca and sailed past beguiling sea caves – the children particularly enjoyed the description of Grotta del Diavolo (Devil's Cave) on the Ionian side where strong winds from the west whip around it, apparently sounding like the moans of hell. As soon as we headed round to the Adriatic coast, the sea became much choppier and darker in colour and the limestone cliffs more rugged – still beautiful but definitely not the Maldives. On our way back to our hotel, we stopped to look at more of the Ionian coastline's pretty beaches – the golden sand at Torre Mozza, which is named after the 16th-century defence tower behind it; a rocky viewpoint just before Santa Maria de Leuca with a backdrop of cacti, wildflowers and the cerulean sea; and Torre Vado, where the children requested to come back to the rock pools. Later that evening, aperitivo in hand, I could see why Salento is often compared to the Maldives – beautiful beaches, a sense of unhurried escapism and interesting nature. But with so many other places sharing the same moniker, this isn't the reason to visit. Come for the food (my children still talk about the fresh pasta and burrata), history, nature and unhurried escapism, whether you're watching the sun set over the sea or dining al fresco.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Official: Milan sensation Camarda joins Lecce
Milan's teenage sensation Francesco Camarda has now officially joined fellow Serie A outfit Lecce in a loan deal that could become permanent at a later date. Official: Camarda moves from Milan to Lecce Lecce have officially confirmed the signing of Camarda on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy, with a buy-back option in favour of Milan also included in the deal. Advertisement The 17-year-old, who netted 485 goals in just 89 matches for Milan's youth sides, arrived for his medical on Sunday, and completed the final formalities of his move to Lecce on Monday. Francesco Camarda arrives in Lecce ahead of his transfer from Milan. Having appeared for just 199 minutes of Serie A action last season, the hope is for the teenager to earn more consistent playing time in the top flight during his time with the Salentini. Lecce will have an option to make the loan deal permanent at the end of the season, but as Milan have a buy-back option, the player's future remains at the hands of the Rossoneri. Camarda becomes Lecce's second signing of the summer transfer window, following the earlier arrival of Christ-Owen Kouassi from Ligue 2 side Stade Lavallois.
Telegraph
24-06-2025
- Telegraph
The perfect holiday in Puglia, the quiet corner of Italy with Europe's best beaches
Puglia's 800km-long coastline (Italy 's longest) is brimming with endless olive groves, sun-bleached villages and elderly men shooting the breeze in village squares. Its heritage is a mix of Baroque churches, Norman castles, fishing harbours and cucina povera (humble dishes). Much of it feels like rewinding the clock – to a time when people tanned without concern and cash was the default currency. Most overseas visitors gravitate to the Valle d'Itria, an area of olives, orchards, trulli (pointed roof houses) and gleaming white towns, while Italians from the north come in their thousands to pack Puglia 's long beaches in summer. The Gargano juts into the Adriatic, with forested hills and fine beaches. South lies Salento, the heel proper, where cliffs drop into the Adriatic on one side, and powdery Ionian sands beckon on the other. For more Puglia inspiration, see our guides to the region's best hotels, restaurants, bars, things to do and beaches. Plan your 10-day trip with our ultimate itinerary. In this guide: How to spend the perfect day in Puglia How to spend the perfect week in Puglia When to go Where to stay How to get there and how to get around Know before you go How to spend the perfect day The perfect day: morning Arrive in the early morning. From the airport, stretch your legs on the streets of Bari's Old Town – seeing the nonne making Puglian speciality orecchiette pasta, with tables and drying racks set out on the narrow streets – before travelling on to your base, in Valle d'Itria, an area of olive groves and hilltop towns. Staying at one of Puglia's masserie (grand fortified farmhouses) turned rustic-chic hotels, such as Masseria le Torri. Its chalky façade gleams under the southern sun, with gardens shaded by fig, olive, mulberry and cherry trees.
Telegraph
24-06-2025
- Telegraph
The 10 best beaches in Puglia
Puglia has a 500 mile-long coast, spanning two seas: the Adriatic to the east, and the Ionian to the southwest. Adriatic beaches tend to be rocky, with dramatic rock formations, though there are also great sandy stretches. On the other side, the Ionian coast has calm seas and gentle white-sand beaches. The best beaches tend to be on the Gargano peninsula or Salento in the south. Beach days are shaped by the winds: the Tramontana ('across the mountain') will mean a calm day on the Ionian coast, while the southern Sirocco calms the Adriatic. In high season, private beach clubs dominate, where you'll pay for shade and sunbeds. All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best beaches in Puglia. Find out more below, or for more Puglia inspiration, see our guides to the region's best hotels, restaurants, bars and things to do. Adriatic Beaches Baia delle Zagare Close to Mattinata, cliff-framed Baia delle Zagare (orange blossom bay) is carpeted in pristine white pebbles, and overlooks two water-sculpted limestone stacks in the luminous Adriatic. In summer, Hotel Baia delle Zagare's lido dominates the beach. Insider tip: Without a permit, walk from Baia di Vignanotica, via the 0.6 mile (1km) Path of Love. How to get there: To access via the lift or steps from Hotel Baia delle Zagare, obtain a free pass from Mattinata Municipality town hall. Alternatively, approach via less direct paths. Baia di Portogreco This secluded, tiny Gargano beach has a tactile mix of white pebbles and sand underfoot, with rocks ideal for leaping into the water, and an embracing backdrop of thick greenery and limestone cliffs. Insider tip: Bring a picnic and water; there are no facilities on the beach. How to get there: Parking can be tricky, but usually visitors park off the SP road, from where it's a 400m walk down a rough path. Torre dell'Orso Torre dell'Orso is an 800m white-sand Adriatic stretch, backed by pine forest and overlooked by the ruined 16th-century Bear Tower. There are some beautiful rock formations here, including twin sea stacks le due sorelle (the two sisters). Insider tip: This is a good place for water sports, you can rent kayaks, SUPs and body boards. Torre Guaceto Torre Guaceto is a protected marine reserve on the Adriatic, named for its medieval fortified watchtower. Its beach is called Punta Penna Grossa, a pristine area where sand, dunes and Mediterranean scrub meet and turtles come to breed. Insider tip: To find the quietest area, walk towards the tower. How to get there: There's a car park, from where there's a bus service in season – otherwise it's about a half-hour walk. Baia dei Turchi The 'Bay of the Turks' sits 3.7 miles (6km) north of Otranto. Walk through the fragrant pine forest against a cicada soundtrack. Sandy dune paths open onto a wild, beautiful beach, backed by maquis. Insider tip: Best avoided when there's a tramontana (the north wind): come when the sirocco (warm wind from Africa) is blowing. How to get there: There's paid parking next to the pine forest. Bus 101 runs from Otranto to the nearby Club Med, then it's a 1.2 miles (2km ) walk. Il Ciolo Look down from the bridge to this dizzyingly dramatic rocky cove, framed by prickly pear cacti. Beneath you is a narrow inlet flanked by limestone cliffs, part of the Regional Natural Coastal Park. Insider tip: The drive from Otranto to Ciolo is Puglia's most epically beautiful coastal route. How to get there: A long, steep staircase from the bridge provides direct access, while putting off feebler holidaymakers. There's parking at the top. Ionian Beaches Porto Selvaggio Porto Selvaggio means 'wild harbour', and this is a rocky bay with flat sun-basking rocks, close to the lovely town of Nardò in Salento, and overlooked by the 16th-century defensive Torre Dell'Alto. Insider tip: Paths to the beach cross dense Aleppo pine forest, an ideal retreat for a lunchtime picnic in summer. How to get there: The shortest walk (20 minutes) is from the paid parking next to Villa Tafuri. Pescoluse Nicknamed the 'Maldives of Puglia', Pescoluse is 6.2 miles (10km) from Santa Maria di Leuca. The beach is backed by dunes, has fine white sand and gently shelves into the gin-clear Ionian sea. Sometimes pebbles get washed in by the tide, making the water trickier to access. Insider tip: Avoid in July and August, when its Maldivian charms are obscured by a gazillion other holidaymakers. How to get there: There is paid parking close to the beach. Punta Prosciutto & Torre Lapillo These Caribbean-like beaches span 20 miles (32km) of white sand and shallow waters. 'Ham Point' sits behind Mediterranean scrub and 8m dunes, while Torre Lapillo lies between two medieval fortified towers. Insider tip: To see these at their best in summer, arrive as early as possible in the morning or late afternoon. How to get there: Bus 104 from Lecce takes about an hour. Paid parking is nearby, but fills up quickly. Spiaggia di Punta della Suina 'Swine Point beach', so-named for its snout-shape promontory, is backed by the untamed coastal wilderness of the Parco Naturale Regionale di Punta della Suina. Insider tip: Italy's LGBTQIA+ community voted this Italy's best gay beach in a recent poll: the naturist and gay section are close to the pine forest. How to get there: Reach via a short drive or bus ride from Gallipoli. There's paid parking, then walk through the pine forest to the beach. How we choose Every beach in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We consider a range of needs and styles, from lively bar-lined beachfronts to quiet coves – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest developments and provide up to date recommendations. About our expert Abigail Blasi, Telegraph Travel's Puglia expert, fell for the region – and her Puglian husband – over 20 years ago. She loves its spring flowers, summer sagre, burrata, and discovering hidden corners of Italy's heel.
Daily Mail
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lisa Snowdon, 53, shows off her incredible body in skimpy red leopard print bikini video from Italian getaway
Lisa Snowdon showed off her incredible body in a cheeky bikini video from her Italian getaway on Friday. The presenter, 53, smiled for the camera as she flashed her bottom in the skimpy two-piece bikini, which was decorated with a pink and red leopard print design. Lisa finished off the look with a pair of black sunglasses and opted to wear her hair down in natural, free-flowing waves. In the video, she can be seen putting on a pair of matching shorts and a scarf before playfully posing for the camera. The cheeky clip ended with with her leaning down to blow a kiss as she continued her stay in Salento. It was captioned with a sun and drinks emoji, which were added together with a plus sign to the dancing emoji. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Fans were quick to praise the presenter for the clip and compliment her toned body, with the star previously explaining that regular exercise was her key to getting through the menopause. Amanda Holden replied to the video with fire emoji. Stylist Helen Canning added: 'Gorgeous!!! And obsessed with the matching shorts!' Claire Sweeney wrote: 'You look amazing xxxx' The bikini video comes after Lisa admitted she has 'reservations' about marrying her partner George Smart eight years after they got engaged. The model and communications firm founder, 44, first dated more than 20 years ago when she was a DJ at MTV and he was the channel's head of events. The lovebirds rekindled their romance a decade ago and got engaged in 2017. When asked when they're going to tie the knot, Lisa admitted she has a 'tiny hint of reservation' that marriage will 'change' their relationship. When asked when they're going to tie the knot, Lisa admitted she has a 'tiny hint of reservation' that marriage will 'change' their relationship 'Deep down I do know it wouldn't, but then I think, "Well my mum and dad's marriage didn't last," and some people say, "Don't do it because it changes things,"' she told The Mirror. 'So there's 90 per cent of me that knows nothing would change, but a tiny hint of reservation where I think it would.' George, however, said he has no hesitation and would marry Lisa tomorrow if they could get their friends - who are 'dotted around the world' - all together. He told the outlet he 'knows nothing would change' and is ready to 'have that bravery' to take 'the next step'. When asked what she's excited for about getting married, Lisa said: 'Being able to call him "my husband" and saying, "My husband's coming soon, I'm just waiting for my husband!" I think I prefer "my husband" to "my fiancé" – I'd love it!' The couple, who recently enjoyed a trip to the Caribbean to celebrate Lisa's 53rd birthday, are planning more travel in the future to Chile, Peru, Thailand and Guatemala. As for TV work, they said they'd love their own travel show, with George joking it should be called 'Couples Travel'.
