14Santa Cesarea Terme, Puglia
Puglia is still a bit of a secret, as foreigners do not often visit the area, the “heel” of Italy. But Italians sing its praises, from the pristine beaches with crystal-clear water to the laid-back lifestyle of its inhabitants. Santa Cesarea Terme is an idyllic village on the Adriatic Sea. Underground caverns and rock strata are responsible for hot springs celebrated for their healing properties, which drew 18th-century aristocrats to the small seaside village.
15Otranto, Puglia
As the easternmost point in Italy, Otranto was originally a Greek village known as Hydruntum, which sided against Rome in the wars of Pyrrhus and Hannibal. The town gives its name to the Straight of Otranto, which connects the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, and on a clear day you can see across to Albania. Over the course of its history, Otranto came under the rule of the Romans, Byzantines, Saracens, Ottomans, and Napoleon’s troops. Travelers can swim in the pristine turquoise sea and trek up to the Castello Aragonese medieval fortress.
