Brindisi

This great castle is the second of the four castles in Brindisi. In the 13th century, Emperor Frederick II commanded the construction of this fortress in which the citizens could take refuge in case of danger and to better defend themselves. Later, in the mid-15th century Ferdinand I of Naples decided to add new town walls in order to defend the castle from deadly shootings. Today it represents one of the leading Navy bases in Italy.

Built in 1933 at the peak of Mussolini’s regime, this memorial towering over Brindisi’s harbour survives as a monument to seamen lost during the two world wars. The monument mimics a giant rudder, beneath which a crypt in the shape of a ship’s hull bears the names of the 36,000 Italians lost at sea.

The rooms of this museum are arranged around different themes and contain a wealth of Greek and Roman statues, mosaics, bronze and silver coins, pottery and weapons. The top attraction is the Punta del Serrone collection of bronzes, salvaged from the seabed not far from Brindisi harbour.

Around 40 km (25 miles) southwest of Brindisi, the town of Francavilla Fontana is known for the numerous palatial mansions built by local aristocrats during the Baroque period. The most striking of these, the Palazzo Imperiale on Via Municipale now houses municipal offices. The town also boasts a treasury of Baroque churches, notably the Chiesa Matrice, dating back to 1759, which houses the allegedly miracle-working icon of the Madonna della Fontana, patron saint of the town.

A great way to explore the city is to take the Road Train with Brindisi Express. The tour starts from the port's entrance, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, every hour from 9 am to 4 pm. The tour takes one hour and it includes a homemade Italian gelato and a tour guide.

For a lazy day at the beach, head over to Lido Azzurro. This beautiful beach offers facilities like changing rooms, showers, deck chairs and umbrellas. If you are feeling hungry there are restaurants and bars around the area (sunbeds and umbrellas are offered at a fee, but you can bring your own).

Zoosafari is the largest wildlife park in Italy, located a few kilometres from Fasano. It is a place where you can watch exotic animals like tigers, lions, bears, elephants (and so much more) from your vehicle. In addition to the safari park, there is a large amusement park with attractions for all ages as well as several restaurants where to energise before finding out new exciting species.

San Domenico Golf is considered one of the best golf clubs in Italy with its 18 tours overlooking the sea of Apulia. Enjoy 6,300 metres of meandering meadows flowing among olive groves all along a beautiful stretch of the Adriatic coast offer a spectacular marine views. You will find this golf course near the small fishing village of Savelletri.

The port of Brindisi has seen many a cruise liner at rest in its waters. Recently renovated, the port area is now better than ever, fit for a leisurely scenic stroll and a lunch break in one of the several restaurants and cafes on the waterfront. At night, the area turns into a lively hot spot.

History-lovers and the curious should certainly include San Giovanni al Sepolcro Temple into their Brindisi itinerary. The ancient structure holds frescoes that date back to as early as the 12th century, with explanation boards set up in both Italian and English. Roman structures' remains can be seen in the basement.

Originally, there were two twin Roman Columns of Brindisi, but after the collapse of one of the two columns in 1528, the monument remained mutilated. The surviving column is among the most remarkable historical sites of Brindisi. It represents the point where the Appian way — the road between Rome and Brindisi in that period — ended, as well as the place where the travellers left to the East back in the Roman times. From there, a splendid view of the port of the city is revealed.

The pleasant park just outside the city centre is great for an evening stroll, daytime picnic, or even a morning jog. Plenty of shaded areas make for great places to get away from the summer heat in the grass. There are a few duck-inhabited ponds here.