A Traveling Affair: Where to next?: The Heel of the Boot

Yesterday I traveled from Civitanova to Fasano on the train to visit my aunt and uncle, who are traveling in Italy. Italy is known for the trains to not always run on time or not at all. My train luckily was running, but running about an hour late. The train ride to Fasano was beautiful as it was along the the sea. I made it to the Fasano Train Station where I found my aunt and uncle waiting so patiently for me since I was an hour late. On our way to our "villa" they told me that it was next to a zoo and gypsy camp, and that it was more like a hostel since we would have to share living space. Everything going through my head was, "OMG! Ann didn't?! She couldn't have?!" Well, the hotel was next to a zoo safari and what looked like to have a gypsy camp next door, but it was the most beautiful set-up. It was a villa, which was similar to a condo in Ocean City, Maryland, and it had the most amazing view. Yes, we did share living space, but there was a lot of space to share.

Civitanova M. Train Station

View from our Villa

After making it to Fasano, we had a glass of wine and freshened up. We then headed into town where we had dinner and got the chance to walk along the sea. The food was excellent, but the service not so much. Even so, it was still an enjoyable evening.

Sunset in Fasano at dinner

On my first full day in the area, we drove from Fasano to Lecce. We arrived in Lecce a little before 11 to find out that the majority of the sites close from 12-4. Therefore, we were in a bit of a hurry. We rushed around to see the churches, ruins, and the shops.

Duomo in Lecce

Inside the Duomo in Lecce

Ampitheatre in Lecce

From Lecce, we went down the coast to find Grotta of Zinzulusa. On our way to Grotta we found a Dolmen, so we stopped and walked through a field of olive trees to find the Dolmen. It was pretty cool to find a Dolmen in the middle of nowhere Italy while we were on our travels.

Dolmen in Olive Tree Grove

Grotta Zinzulusa

Blue water at Grotta

Following the Grotta of Zinzulusa we figured we might as well keep driving south to the tip of the heel. We ended at Capo S. Maria di Leuca. It is said that from the most southern point of Italy you can see Albania. While at Capo S. Maria di Leuca, we were able to see the outline of Albania through the haze.

Light House at Capo S. Maria di Leuca

Capo S. Maria di Leuca

in Capo S. Maria di Leuca

From Capo S. Maria di Leuca we headed home to Fasano, but we got the idea to stop at Ostuni for dinner. Ostuni is between Brindisi and Fasano. The town reminds of something you would see in Greece. All the buildings were white, and it was perched on a hill that overlooked the sea. It was absolutely breathtaking. We read in the travel books about a place to have dinner, and with luck we were able to find the place after walking around a bit. By the time dinner was over the sun had set, and the town had come alive with music playing in the streets and bright lights everywhere with shops open. Ostuni ended up being one of the best decisions of the day.