Shangri-La Glamping

So – where to go first? If you’re heading for Adriatic Sea beaches, you have the choice of several within 15 minutes’ cycle ride. There’s a lively lido at Cala Paura, while the seas at quiet Cala Paguro are calm enough for paddleboarders. You can snorkel the shoreline at teeny pebble Lama Monachile, and San Vito Beach is good for rockpooling – and if you fancy a cultural diversion, it’s backed by an impressive abbey (only open on Sundays). Caves worth exploring along the coastline include Grotta della Cala Tre Buchi (20 minutes’ drive), where you can swim right into the cave from the beach. Turn inland to discover the dramatic limestone formations in the Grotte di Castellana complex (25 minutes), open for guided tours. Throw a bit of local culture into the mix with a visit to the Castello Carlo V fortress and ancient harbour at Monopoli (15 minutes), or the museums, fortified castle and Romanesque cathedral in Bari (half an hour). The relics of an ancient Roman city can be seen at Scavi d’Egnazia (25 minutes), where there’s also an archaeological museum packed with finds from the surrounding dig.