Ostuni - Italy

OSTUNI, 40km northwest of the town and just 35 minutes away by train, is one of the most stunning small towns of southern Italy.

Situated on three hills at the southernmost edge of Le Murge, and an important Greco-Roman city in the first century AD, its old centre spreads across the highest of the hills, a gleaming white splash of sun-bleached streets and cobbled alleyways, dominating the plains below.
The maze of well-preserved winding streets makes for a fascinating amble, the town buzzes on summer nights and there are some exceptional views – particularly from Largo Castello over the woods to the north. Bits of cavorting Baroque twist out of unexpected places, including an ornamented eighteenth-century obelisk, 21m high, dedicated to St Oronzo, which stands in Piazza della Libertà (aka Piazza St Oronzo) on the southern edge of the old town.
This is the focal point on summer Saturday nights for hordes of people who drive in from the countryside around, meet up with their friends, pack out the bars and cafés and listen to the music coming from the sound system.