Suggestions for Brindisi

[DaisyGirl55]

Any suggestions for our stop in Brindisi?

[cruisemom42]

Many people choose to go to Lecce, which is a beautiful city (due to the pink-ish tan color of the stones used in many of the Baroque buildings there). There is quite a bit to see in Lecce (including some Roman ruins in the city), which is about 45 minutes from Brindisi.

 

If you just want to stay in Brindisi, there is a pretty promenade along the water, a very good archaeological museum, and a cathedral that's over 1,000 years old.

 

Brindisi was a very important place for the Romans -- it was the port they favored for sailing across the Adriatic. The famous Via Appia, which starts in Rome, ended here in what was then called Brundisium. You can still see one of the two 50-foot columns that marked the terminus of the road at the top of an impressive set of stairs known as "Virgil's staircase" (Scalinata di Virgil) after the Roman poet who supposedly died nearby.

 

(The other column was moved to Lecce much later, where you can see it still, topped with a statue of the city's patron saint.)

 

[edinburgher]

10 hours ago, DaisyGirl55 said:

Any suggestions for our stop in Brindisi?

If you have not already looked for and read some of the past threads about Brindisi, you might get some info and ideas from these:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=brindisi&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=464

 

You can of course look online for images, info and ideas on eg Tripadvisor, YouTube and others which appear when you google "Brindisi Tourist Info" and/or "Side trips from Brindisi", and even should you not want to book one,do  look at the shorex on offer as they will give you and idea of what you might do within your timings.

Edited January 19 by edinburgher

[alpencoolcruiser]

We are do-it-yourself people and prefer a more leisurely stop , and decided to see Brindisi on our own. ( also to save money in an already expensive cruise trip :D) . Some highlights are the Colonne Romana , eloquently described by cruisemom42 above . Churches such as the Santa Teresa , the Brindisi Cathedral and especially nice in my opinion is the interior of Tempio di San Giovanni al Selpocro.  Don't miss the archaelogical digs , one is quite unique with a floating theatre built on top!  Also important to note - is the Italian Siesta hours - shops are closed something like from 12:30 - 15:00/30 so planning ahead is good. If you want to read details of what we saw - https://zeweekendtraveller.com/index.php/europe/italy/brindisi-at-the-heel-of-italy/

 

Frankly though - this part of Italy is really beautiful and deserves to be explored with more days at leisure.