The town of Otranto rests just before the tip of Italy’s boot heel in the Puglia region. Said to be Italy’s main port to the Orient for nearly 1,000 years, Otranto was fast asleep. Arriving later in the day on an empty stomach, I stumbled upon a restaurant still filled with diners. The owner I assumed, the Italian woman that wore the pants in her relationship with her husband, quickly told me they were closed but they would make me something quickly. As all of the other diners got up and left, I began wondering if I said something wrong or smelled of a long car ride. Regardless, her kindness left a mark on me in Otranto, a town dressed in only white. It was hard to imagine 18,000 Turks killed 800 Christians here in the 15th century. A settlement so peaceful could hardly be besieged in my mind, especially after viewing the color of its waters and its Greek looking homes.
Otranto's waters
Otranto's Greek-looking buildings
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From Danee Gilmartin:
I’m wishing I was there too! I just love reading about quaint, relatively unknown Italian villages. Thanks for this!
From Ed Loessi:
Great pics! Italy is definitely a great place to travel and you’ve captured that beauty.
Thanks,
Ed
From SpunkyGirl:
Beautiful shots, Suzy! Italy is still on my wish list. I’m pretty much living through you right now. haha
From Nomadic Matt:
I wish I was there too.
From Brendan van Son:
I love these posts. To be honest I never really had any urge to visit Europe, I always figured I’d wait and do the “developed” countries when I was older. But lately, I’m wanting to get over there more and more.
From Robbie:
Beautiful insights Suzy! Stunning! So glad they fed you too! She must have known you were going to write something wonderful about their beautiful waterfront village! Love seeing Italy through your eyes and insights into their unique history.
From Ashley:
The blues of the water in the picture are absolutely gorgeous! I’ve only visited northern Italy, but the more I learn about the south, the more I’m dying to go.