Campeggio Sun Bay

It’s worth getting up from that sun lounger and taking the 15-minute trip to Taranto, a well preserved former Greek-Spartan colony. There’s an excellent archaeology museum in the town, along with a mix of other historic sights: a Romanesque cathedral, the medieval Aragonese Castle and the ancient Temple of Poseidon among them. A little further inland (45 minutes from the site) is the little town of Martina Franca, a pretty place for a wander around the whitewashed homes, ornate churches and grand Palazzo Ducale. Wineries to visit are just outside town if you need a restorative tipple, and you might consider continuing your journey with a stop at Alberobello to see its conical limestone houses known as trulli. If you’d rather stick to the coast, there are several other beaches you can hit for a change of scenery – perhaps try Tramontone for soft sands or Lido Gandoli for jetskiing and paddleboarding. A wildlife-spotting boat trip with Jonian Dolphin Conservation, 15 minutes away, is highly recommended too.