Trani

Walk to the town’s beaches (15 minutes south from B&B) – ‘Cocomero beach’ on the ‘Lungomare Christoforo Colombo’ is where young people go, or for families (sandy beach) try ‘Spiaggia lido Colonna’, ‘Piazza Marinai d’Italia’

Visit landmarks (try an English-Italian guided city-tour with Traninostra [www.traninostra.it]): the beautiful Romanesque Cathedral of St Nicholas the Pilgrim – surrounded by the sea on three sides the Church of Ognissanti, seat of the Knights Templar the streets of the old town, including the Jewish Quarter with the Synagogue Scolanova of Tranitake Federico II’s castle - once a prison, now completely renovated to host art exhibitions.

Great shopping in Corso cavour – 5 minutes from the B&B – all the best brands in this fashion obsessed city.

Walk in the ‘Villa Comunale’ (sea gardens) in the evening – along with most families or couples in Trani.

See our fishing culture – the fish-market (morning) in Piazza Longobardi (5 minutes from the B&B) or negotiate a boat-fishing trip with local fisherman in the Marina/Port.

Eat in amazing restaurants – unforgettable meals typically less than euro 30-60 per head. Our favourites for special occasions are ‘Corte in Fiore’ (00 39 0883 508402; www.corteinfiore.it ), or ‘Il Melograno’ (00 39 0883 486966; www.ilmelogranotrani.it )

Enjoy a glass of our undiscovered wines, including Moscato di Trani dessert wine. The main DOCs (best wines) are Castel del Monte and Gravina, followed by Rosso Barletta, Rosso Canosa, and the sweet Moscato di Trani. The wines from Castel del Monte are gaining in reputation including Aglianico joining Uva di Troia and Montepulciano to make a fine Rosso (Rivera’s Il Falcone). [http://winecountry.it/regions/apulia/ ]

Eat an ice-cream while promenading with the rest of Trani on the harbour – all ice-cream parlours are excellent and if the summer is really hot try the ‘granita’ ice and juice drink. Also on the port, visit the café-bookshop ‘la Maria Del Porto’ - it often hosts theatre entertainment for children.

Save some energy for Trani’s nightlife – there is a string of bars on the port just 3 minutes’ walk from the B&B. Families with kids enjoy the streets till late, and the bars stay open late.

Explore the region – day trips to Castel Del Monte, Matera (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matera,_Italy), the sea cliff top village of Peschichi to the North in Gargano (good beaches), the vibrant city of Bari half an hour south on the train, and the romantic seaside town to the south of Polignano a Mare. Further south – possible just as a day trip or an overnight stay – there is the Salento area, with the lovely Otranto seaside town, Castro (nice rocky swimming), the beautiful Baroque city of Lecce and inland the Valle d’Itria – like Tuscany – with Alberobello and trullis.