We have recommended that people stay in the town of Grottaglie because of its location, which is only a 10-minute drive to our wedding venue and the day-after event, and because it is a great central location to base yourselves if wanting to travel around to other areas in Taranto.

We know many of you are travelling down for the weekend, so we have created a suggested itinerary based on places we have visited and recommendations from others.

To make the most of your time in Taranto, we highly suggest renting a car. Grottaglie is quite small, so a car will make it easier to get around. If that is not possible, there are also regular trains and buses available.

Depending on what time you arrive in Grottaglie, we recommend spending the afternoon exploring the historic town. Grottaglie is a small town, known for its ceramic stores.

We have created a Google list with recommendations on where to visit - Google Map

*Depending on which service provider you are with, reception can be a bit glitchy, so we highly recommend downloading an offline Google map of the area.

Welcome drinks and appetisers at Vineria dal Medico in Grottaglie at 5 pm. We will need to head off for our beauty rest pre-wedding, if you want to stay out a bit later or find somewhere for dinner, we have saved some options to the Google list above.

We highly recommend making a trip to Polignano a Mare, a coastal town about a 60-minute drive from Grottaglie. Just make sure that you are back in time to catch the bus from Grottaglie to our wedding venue, which will leave promptly at 5:45 pm!

Alternatively, if you are after something less touristy, Cala Port’Alga or Lama Monachile are both about a 60-minute drive away, or Bahia del Sol, which is a 35-minute drive.

In summer, the beaches do get super busy, so another option is doing a boat tour. There are plenty of options available starting from around GBP 29 per person for about 2 hours. Boat Tour

If you want an easy, more casual lunch option in Polignano, we highly recommend Pescaria, where you can get crudo, tartare, and other fish dishes. If you want something more upmarket, Grotta Palazzese sits on the cliffs and has an amazing view (it is very popular, though, so we suggest trying to make a reservation in advance: Reservation Link).

If you want to get a drink somewhere with a view, try Cafe Acquamarea.

For other food, drink, and beach options, download our Google list for Polignano a Mare here: Polignano Google List

Buses will be picking guests up from Grottaglie (location tbc) at 5:45 pm for arrival at the wedding venue at 6 pm. For anyone staying at Masseria le Monache or Masseria Celano, a separate bus will come to you directly. Depending on what time you are ready to call it a night, we have arranged buses at 12:30 am and 3:30 am to take you home.

Sunday mornings are pretty quiet in Grottaglie, but if you are partial to a pastry or want to pop out for a coffee, try Al Fanelli Espresso Bar or Bar Piemonte.

Buses will be leaving from (location tbc) at 12 pm to bring you to Masseria Angiulli Piccolo for the recovery/pool party. We will have drinks, pizza, and gelato, but please bring towels and anything else you may need with you. Buses will return to Grottaglie at 5 pm. You are also welcome to drive or make your own way to Masseria Angiulli, please just let us know in advance.

If you would like to explore some of the other surrounding areas while you are in Puglia, we suggest renting a car or using the trains to visit some of these nearby towns:

Ostuni

Known as the "White City" for its stunning whitewashed buildings, Ostuni is perched on a hill and offers beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and the Adriatic Sea.

Getting There: By car, it’s about 35 minutes from Grottaglie. There are also buses from Grottaglie to Ostuni that take about 1 hour.

What to Do: Explore the narrow streets of the historic center, visit the Ostuni Cathedral, and enjoy panoramic views from the town’s highest points. If you are visiting on a Saturday, they have their weekly market Mercato del Sabato. We have saved some other shops and restaurants on our Ostuni Google list.

Matera

Matera is famous for its ancient cave dwellings, known as “Sassi,” which are carved directly into the rock. The town’s stunning architecture and history make it one of the most unique places to visit in Italy.

Getting There: By car, it’s about 1.5 hours from Grottaglie. Alternatively, you can catch a train from Grottaglie to Matera (approximately 1.5 to 2 hours with transfers).

What to Do: Explore the Sassi di Matera, visit the Matera Cathedral, and enjoy the panoramic views from the Belvedere. You can also visit the cave churches and learn about the town’s history in the Museo Nazionale d'Arte Medievale.

Alberobello

Alberobello is famous for its trulli—traditional dry-stone huts with conical roofs. The town's enchanting landscape of these whitewashed structures is a must-see.

Getting There: By car, it’s a 40-minute drive from Grottaglie. There is also a bus service connecting Grottaglie to Alberobello, taking around 1 hour.

What to Do: Wander the streets of Rione Monti and Rione Aia Piccola to see the trulli houses. Visit the Trullo Sovrano, the only two-story trullo in the town, and stop by the Trullo Museum to learn about this unique architectural style.

Lecce

Often referred to as the "Florence of the South," Lecce is a Baroque masterpiece, with stunning architecture, intricate churches, and beautiful piazzas. The city is also famous for its traditional "Lecce stone" used in many of its historic buildings.

Getting There: By car, Lecce is about 1.5 hours (100 km) from Grottaglie. Alternatively, guests can take a train from Grottaglie to Lecce, which takes about 1.5 hours.

What to Do: Explore the Piazza del Duomo with its stunning baroque architecture. Visit the Lecce Cathedral and the nearby Basilica di Santa Croce, both prime examples of the city’s Baroque style. Discover the Roman Amphitheater and the Museo Archeologico for a dive into Lecce’s Roman past.

Stroll through the historical center, enjoy local cafes, and try the famous pasticciotto, a traditional pastry from the region.

Taranto

Known as the "City of Two Seas," Taranto sits on the coast and has a rich history dating back to ancient Greece.

Getting There: By car, it’s a 30-minute drive from Grottaglie. Trains from Grottaglie to Taranto take around 30 minutes.

What to Do: Visit the Taranto Archaeological Museum (Museo Archeologico Nazionale), explore the historic Castello Aragonese, and stroll along the beautiful seafront. If guests are in the mood for relaxation, they can visit the local beaches.

Locorotondo

Known for its circular, hilltop old town, Locorotondo is a charming town in the Itria Valley surrounded by vineyards. It offers a more tranquil escape with stunning views of the countryside.

Getting There: By car, it’s around 30 minutes from Grottaglie. There are also buses from Grottaglie to Locorotondo, which take about 45 minutes.

What to Do: Stroll through the whitewashed streets of the historic center, visit the Church of San Giorgio, and sample the local wine and olive oil. Guests can also enjoy a leisurely walk through the surrounding vineyards.

Martina Franca

A lovely town located in the Itria Valley, Martina Franca is known for its elegant Baroque architecture, narrow streets, and beautiful surroundings.

Getting There: By car, it’s around 45 minutes (50 km) from Grottaglie. Guests can also take a bus from Grottaglie to Martina Franca, which takes about 1 hour.

What to Do:

Visit the Basilica di San Martino, a stunning example of Baroque architecture, and admire the views from Piazza Plebiscito. Stroll through the historical center, filled with picturesque alleyways and beautiful buildings. Explore the Palazzo Ducale, a grand 18th-century palace that now houses cultural exhibitions. Sample local delicacies, especially the renowned capocollo di Martina Franca (a traditional cured meat), and explore the local markets.

Gallipoli

Gallipoli, often called the "Ionian Pearl," is a charming town located on the Ionian Sea in southern Puglia. It’s known for its medieval old town, surrounded by crystal-clear waters and sandy beaches. Gallipoli also has a rich history, from its Greek origins to its role as a fishing port and its stunning Baroque architecture.

Getting There: By car, it’s about 1 hour and 15 minutes (about 85 km) from Grottaglie. Trains from Grottaglie to Gallipoli take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours with a transfer.

What to Do:

Walk through the narrow streets of the historic center, which is located on a small island connected to the mainland by a bridge. Visit the Gallipoli Castle, built by the Normans, and enjoy the views from the ramparts. Visit the Cathedral of Sant'Agata: A beautiful Baroque church with impressive architecture and artwork, located in the heart of the old town. Gallipoli is known for its beaches, including Spiaggia della Purita (the main beach in the old town), and the stunning Baia Verde beach, just outside the town. Gallipoli is a traditional fishing town, so it's a great place to enjoy fresh seafood at one of the local restaurants or seaside trattorias.