Brindisi Airport Mini Guide:

Brindisi Casale Airport is situated 3km to the north of Brindisi Centre. The airport offers a good range of passenger services and facilities including cafés, bars, an ATM and a small gift shop. Brindisi Casale Airport is served by a number of airlines including budget airline Ryanair, Volare Airlines and Air Dolomiti.

Things To See/Do in Brindisi:

Brindisi’s popularity as a short break destination may be attributed to the extension of low fares routes by budget airlines such as Ryanair.

The historic city of Brindisi is situated in the Puglia region of Italy and is the capital of the province of Brindisi. The port city is probably most famous for its ferry services to Greece, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find there’s more to Brindisi than its harbour. Unbeknownst to most, the city boasts a fascinating cultural and historical heritage that is a joy to explore. Places worth visiting include Corso Garibaldi, where it’s always possible to come across a curiosity or two. One of the easiest ways to while away a sunny evening in Brindisi is to take a stroll from the oriental confines of the old town to the picturesque port.

For an understanding of local history, a visit to the local archaeological museum is essential. It’s here you’ll find a permanent collection of bronze Greek statues rescued from the sea. The city’s historical quarter also offers some other fascinating sites. The 11th century cathedral on Piazza Duomo is definitely worth a look, as is the town’s impressive Castello Svevo. A short hire car drive will take you to the beautiful 700-year-old Chiesa di Santa Maria del Casale. Brindisi is an excellent base from which to explore the charms of Italy’s Puglia region. For an especially scenic drive, be sure to take a tour of the Tratturio regio and the Alta Murgia. Here you’ll encounter beautiful rolling vineyards and pastel-coloured patchwork landscapes.

If visiting in May, it’s well worth catching the Corpus Domini festival, which involves the local bishop blessing the sea on a gleaming white stallion. Celebrations in the city continue all day long, with fireworks and lightshows bringing proceedings to a close at dusk.

Eating Out/Nightlife/Accommodation in Brindisi:

It would be a shame to travel all the way to the port of Brindisi without sampling its local catch. Some dishes worth sampling include stuffed calamari, prawns, scampi and sea bass. If you’re not convinced by the watery offerings, you’ll find the restaurants of Brindisi offer a good range of local classics and pasta dishes which should appeal to most tastes. Orecchiette (stuffed pasta parcels), fettuccine and maccheroni all make for tasty alternatives. Dining out in Brindisi is always a treat, whatever your budget and palate. Generally speaking, a meal out with wine will never cost more than a few euros per person. Cheap low budget choices include hearty baked pasta dishes, pizza and light lunchtime snacks including panini and crostini.

Brindisi has a laid-back, easy-going nightlife, which centres on the town’s cafés and bars in the Corso Garibaldi district. An evening stroll is the cheapest and most relaxing way to while away a few hours in the evening.

Accommodation in Brindisi offers something to please every budget and taste. Hotels on the upper-end of the price-line include the four-star Majestic Hotel Brindisi, situated close to the railway station and port and Minerva Hotel Brindisi, situated close to the suburbs of the city. Those travelling on a tight holiday budget may however prefer the simple but comfortable surroundings of the Carpe Diem Ostello della Gioventu hostel.

Porto Airport Car Hire And Beyond

There’s so much more to holidays in Portugal than the sunny beaches of the Algarve. Portugal is a vast country that is suited to car hire touring. The city of Porto for one is a wonderful place to soak up the cultural charms that are often absent from large-scale tourist resorts. Driving through the city of Porto allows you to experience the true essence of the city at a pace that suits you. Overshadowed rather unfairly by Lisbon in terms of city break potential, a city break in Porto is well worth your while. Brimming with attractions and character, Porto is definitely one to include in your must-see list of European cities.

Porto Mini-Guide:

Porto Airport is located approximately 11km from the Portuguese city of Porto. Porto Airport offers passengers a range of services including banking and ATM facilities as well as Bureau de Change, a post office and a duty-free.

To drive to the city of Porto, follow the Porto/Lisbon Highway or the A3 which links Porto and Braga.

Things To See/Do in Porto:

As Portugal’s second largest city, Porto (Oporto in Portuguese) offers travellers a range of cultural, sporting and social activities.

Walking through the city is a great way to explore this historic destination. Oporto cathedral is one of the main attractions in the city. It is is the oldest surviving structure in the city, with its gothic architecture dominating the skyline.

Football is the most important sport in the city and Porto is the home of top European clubs FC Porto and Boavista FC. While in Porto, why not pay a visit to Estádio do Dragao or Estádio do Bessa-it’s one way to immerse yourself in the local culture. Alternatively you could pack up your golf clubs and take advantage of some of the fantastic greens at Oporto Golf Club which is situated 17 km to the south of Porto.

Eating Out/Nightlife/Accommodation:

Local specialities in Porto include Tripas á Moda do Porto (tripe), Bacalhau á Gomes de Sá- a fish dish originating in Porto and found nationwide. Other famous local dishes include Francesinha, a cheap hearty snack, found on sale in most establishments. Porto is also world famous for its Port, a type of fortified wine. Given its coastal location, visitors to Porto are guaranteed to pay less for quality seafood dishes like sardines, lobster, crab and squid.

Porto’s nightlife is centred on the Ribeira district in the old city centre. Clubs in the area include Industria, Chic and Estado Novo.

Accommodation in Porto varies from luxury first class hotels to cheap hostels for those on more on a more thrifty budget. For those looking for something different Porto Carlton Hotel has a guaranteed wow factor. Built on a world heritage site, this five star hotel has an unparalleled view of the Douro river and the old port.

Those looking for discount room rates should look no further than Hotel Peninsular which is situated close to San Bento train station. Double rooms here cost a thrifty €40 per night.