Marina Di Ugento Holidays

With over 800 kilometres of turquoise coastline, the Mediterranean feeling's strong down here. Freshly baked pizza and the chill of creamy gelato will remind you that you’re in the very heel of the boot – its tip nearly touches Greece, so expect influences from across the water.

Torre San Giovanni's the big brother of two coastal villages in Marina di Ugento. Modern architecture stands next to 100-year-old buildings, coffee shops fill sun-bleached streets, and traditional restaurants plate up fresh seafood. Little sister Torre Mozza proves that the quiet ones can be full of surprise. A 16th-century watchtower-turned-hotel here's bizarre and beautiful enough to earn a place on your social media.

If you're a nature lover, head to Litorale di Ugento Nature Park for a chance to spot migrating birds and local wildlife. In the nearby town of Gallipoli, the old town's a draw for history buffs, while its more modern neighbourhood brims with contemporary alternatives to antique churches and cobblestone streets.