Global Arne

Between 21st june and 5th july we stayed two weeks in the southern part of Italy. Starting in Neaples, joining the 11th European Heart-Lung Transplant games, and visiting Ischia and Pompei, we rented a car and went south and east.

First we went around the Amalfi Coast, had lunch at Minori, and stayed a night at Hotel Olimpicos at the beach south of Salerno.
The next day we passed Potenza and visited Matera on the way to Alberobello or Hobitt-Town as we called it.

We stayes some days visiting the Grottoes of Castellana, Polignano a Mare, Locorotondo and Martina Franca. A spectacular way through the winefields of Trulli and good wines all over the area.

From that area we continued south to Lecce. By the reception at our hotel La Chiusa di Chietri we were recomended not to stay more than one day in Lecce. A good advise and when the Air-con closed down in pluss 41 degrees we could have made the stay even shorter.

From this city we went further down on the Salentine peninsula to see Otranto, the end of the world Santa Maria di Leuca and followed the Ionian coast to Gallipoli. In this city we had to join the Italians celebrating Italy´s victory over Ukrain in the WC football 2006. Show.

A short trip north brought us to Taranto. At last an urban city with shops and restaurants of good quality but still low prices for the wine and pasta. From here we continued north-west along the Golfo di Taranto over the highland to Maratea and Mar Tirreno. The road went up and down with 180 deg. turns all the way. We ended up in Agropoli but decided to continue pasing Paestum to our good hotel at the Salento coast, before we ended the journey in Neaples for the return to Norway.

Our own photos ca be seen at Italiaferie 2006

Arrivederci Italia.