Beaches & winds in the Salento
Determines the swimmability in the region. At my great hostel Urban Oasis they kept track of the weather, and gave tips in regards to what side of the heel of Italy you’re supposed to choose for your swimming in crystal clear and turquoise excursions.
Otranto
Sally the bike and I took the bus to Otranto and were extreamly lucky not to get her a flat on the ca 223 million pieces of glass crushed on the road since people in Italy seem to think the window of a car is a trash can. From the inside that is. Besides the impracticality of riding a bicycle on potential flats I have a huge problem with people lacking respect for the globe and everyones surroundings. What DID their parents teach them? And how do “others” react to a friend using what’s outside of the car window as a trash can while being a passenger?
Oh… I ended up on the highway going back to Lecce to Otranto. I do NOT recommend that route. We were supposed to ride mostly along the… beautiful turquoise ocean.
My sence of locality… lack of that is, gave me 25 kilometres of that feeling of… NOW it’s time for sirens and some strict Carabiieris stopping me pulliing me by the ear. Well, they should have. And the shame of being THAT tourist getting lost and bicycling along the highway. Coming back to the hostal totally drained of energy cause of that stress, I found out it’s not illegal to bicycle on some highways, unless there are signs clearly saying that you’ll have to pay 150 euros as a fine IF you bicycle on this particular highway.
Still, my recommendation is: No bicycleriding on the side of highways. Very unpleasant. And embarrassing.
Italian Flats…
Otranto was way too touristy for my preference. But due to this, I did find some (yes, pluralis) beauuutiful and very decently priced leather sandals by the regional brand Erredibi. As well as most delicious ice cream, and topped it off by a dip in the awaited crystal clear and turquoise water. Not a sea monster in sight. So I’d say, even though Otranto isn’t my cup of tea due to all the tourism, it was still a great excursion and memorable element while interrailing in Italy.
… my 40 litres Osprey Fairview… yet another visit to Poste Italiane.