Otranto

Otranto sits at the very edge of Italy — the country's easternmost point, where the Adriatic stretches eastward to Greece and Albania. This ancient port city, with its Greek name and Byzantine soul, guards the Strait of Otranto that separates Italy from the Balkans. The mosaic floor of its cathedral — a 12th-century masterpiece depicting the Tree of Life with extraordinary detail — is one of Europe's most significant medieval artworks. The Aragonese Castle, with its imposing pentagonal bastions, dominates the harbour where fishing boats still unload their daily catch. Just beyond the town, the Bauxite Quarry's otherworldly red lake and emerald waters create an almost surreal landscape, while the Punta Palascia lighthouse marks Italy's first sunrise each day.