Peak season in all the holiday resorts in Puglia is mid June to mid September pretty much the same as us in the UK and everywhere else and for the same reason, children’s school holidays and because in the Mediterranean it is too hot to work!

The season builds slowly from early June, then like a butterfly emerging the whole area blossoms with colour as the shops restaurants and bars open and people fill the streets to the early hours.

Bars and restaurants stay open late and most resorts have a night street market with fun fair type rides for children and some amusements for adults until about midnight.

Bus Service

If you like to sight see but not drive, a bus service runs to all the major resorts from the 1st June to 10th September, fares are inexpensive and a full time table is published in free guide books available from most shops and displayed on the bus stop. The service runs up and down both sides of the coast and to Lecce.

Sea Excursions

Most resorts with a port offer sea excursions, kiosk advertising the trips are normally in the port. The excursions can be for 2 or 4 hours or night trips from 9pm to 2am these trips include food and drinks. Cost from about 18 euros for 2 hours (2005 prices)

Sea Fishing

Sea fishing is also available from most ports and you will see adverts in tourist guides and in some shops. The trips are mostly dependent on a minimum number of people so the price will vary dependent on numbers and duration.

Diving

Diving trips can again be found from most ports.

Car Hire

You can hire a car from the airport but this will have to be for the duration of your stay. Car hire is also available in most resorts you will find adverts in shops and in guide books. If you wish we can arrange for a hire car to be delivered to your resort. Cost: 35euros per day plus 15euros delivery charge. (2005 prices)

Scooter Hire

Scooters are also available in most resorts, cost are from 25euros per day, to 150euros per week for a 50cc. 30euros per to 180euros per week for a 125cc (2005 prices)

Cycle Hire

Cycles can be hired in most resorts, cost are about 8euros per day to 45euros per week (2005 prices)

In Lido Marini cycles, scooters and car hire are all available from the service station on the main road near Martinucci.

On The Beach

Beach bars hiring sun loungers and parasols are available on all beaches, cost vary but budget for about 10/12euros per day for 2 loungers and a parasol.

Jets skies, windsurfers and small sailing boats are available and some beaches now have banana boats.

Eating Out

As everywhere restaurants vary in price and quality, you will find most places will serve a good standard of food and like everywhere if a place is busy it is worth trying, if it is always empty, best avoid it! Fish is a great choice, normally caught locally so very fresh and inexpensive compared to the UK. A mixed seafood salad cost about 8euros, king prawns and squid, about 12euros, swordfish steaks about 8euros and the portions are generous. A pizza large enough for 2 is from 4 to 5euros depending on topping, a plate of chips 2.50 to 3euros. Pasta is about 4 to 5euros again depending on topping/sauce, a large Italian beer 2euros and a carafe (litre) of local house wine about 6euros.

Eating In

All resorts have a selection of small shops that can supply all your needs the prices are comparable with the larger shops in the main towns. Imports are more expensive obviously, Kellogg’s corn flakes cost about 2.50euros, the Italian brand 1euro. Fruit and vegetables are really inexpensive and grown locally, these are available from shops or more fun and even cheaper can be buying from the farmers selling from their vehicles driving around the streets. Fresh baked bread is available everyday at about 2euros a loaf. Fresh fish shops offer a selection of the days catch, and the butchers offer the normal choice of meats and whole spit roast chicken at about 4euros. Beers wines and sprits are about half the UK price.

We will keep extending this list so if you know of any things that are missing from this list please pop it on an email and send it to us.

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