Renée
A cloudy day was coming. Another cloudy day, because that's what it feels like when you're on vacation and only expect sun. We hoped that the cloudy day we had previously spent in Gallipoli, would be the only cloudy day, but alas… We decided to go to Otranto.
Now that we were used to the car, driving an hour and a half was not such an issue. We didn't miss any hours of sunshine and secretly it was also nice not to break a sweat for a day. Otranto was recommended to us by many people and we had already read about it ourselves before we went on holiday.
Otranto, a secret paradise
Otranto is, next to Gallipoli, a busy city in the province of Lecce. It is a beautiful village surrounded by blue sea and filled with the most beautiful houses. Making your way towards Otranto is a bit like walking into a little secret paradise.
It has an almost medieval feel, partly because of the Castello Aragonese (tip: walk in here, there are often exhibitions and/or exhibitions by international coast artists and/or photographers).
Chiesa di San Pietro (unclear opening times) and the Roman cathedral are also recommended (note the siesta…). The shopping streets are narrow, but not annoying. There are many beautiful antique shops. You do have to pay attention, because these disappear a bit between the standard tourist shops, but they are really there. The jewelry and fashion shops are also worth a visit.
Otranto takes it easy. Despite the many tourists, it feels a lot calmer and more relaxed than Gallipoli. It's quieter there. The city is overloaded with white houses, colored balconies, many trees and beautiful flowers… If the sun would shine, then… But she didn't.
The worst restaurant in Otranto
When in Otranto it is almost impossible not to end up in a seafood restaurant. This was especially annoying for my best friend, because I am allergic to fish. Result: a two-hour search for a non-fish restaurant.
Annoying and especially because we ended up at probably the worst restaurant in Otranto. You will always see that, but fair is fair. If you've been wandering up and down a city for two hours with bursting hunger and sore feet, you are no longer in the mood of its own. to take a good look at the menu before you take a seat at a table with a view of the sea.
After two bites and a sip of bad red wine we left Otranto for what it is and we drove back to our beautiful Lecce singing in the car. Now it is of course not the case that you have to rely on my experience and if the wiedeweerga have to leave Otranto the moment you get hungry, absolutely not.
Fancy fish?
I have heard from many that Otranto has the best (fish) restaurants. So I would say, would you like to stroll around, maybe buy a nice clock for your home or a pair of earrings for dinner? Fancy fish and your gaze on infinity? Then don't skip Otranto, because that's a shame.
And yes, I'm going back, but I do check in advance where I can eat a fishless dish!
Comments