Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 0833 26 53 18;
www.hotelpalazzodelcorso.it
; Corte Palmieri 3; s €130-185, d €165-195; )
This cream-
coloured, well-kept hotel in the historic centre has elegant rooms accentuated by tradition-
al painted furniture, wrought-iron bedheads and crisp red-and-white linen.
Eating
Caffè Duomo
(Via Antonietta de Pace 72; dessert €9)
For good Gallipoli
spumone
(layered ice cream with can-
died fruit and nuts) and refreshing
granite
(ices made with coffee, fresh fruit or locally
grown pistachios and almonds), head to Caffè Duomo.
CAFE
$
La Puritate
( 0833 26 42 05; Via S Elia 18; meals €40-45; Thu-Tue)
A great place for fish in the old town
with picture windows and sea views. Follow the excellent antipasti with delicious
primi
(first courses) such as seafood spaghetti, then see what's been caught that day - the
swordfish is usually a good bet.
TRATTORIA
$$
Information
Tourist Office
(
0833 26 25 29; Via Antonietta de Pace 86;
8am-9pm summer, 8am-1pm & 4-9pm Mon-Sat
winter)
Near the cathedral in the old town.
Getting There & Away
FSE buses and trains head to Lecce (€3.90, one hour, four daily).
Taranto
POP 193,100
According to legend, the city was founded by Taras, son of Poseidon, who arrived on the
back of a dolphin (as you do). Less romantically, the city was actually founded in the 7th
century BC by exiles from Sparta to become one of the wealthiest and most important
colonies of Magna Graecia. The fun finished, however, in the 3rd century BC when the
Romans marched in, changed its name to Tarentum and set off a two-millennium decline
in fortunes. Its cultural heyday may be over but Taranto still remains an important naval
base, second only to La Spezia.
