Baia dei Turchi
Puglia Italy
Otranto is very much the Puglia you've seen on Pinterest - it's all whitewashed houses with spearmint-green shutters, gnarly olive trees and family-run delis selling piping-hot slices of chilli-spiked focaccia. Otranto's main sandy drag may suffice for some but travel a few kilometres north towards Casino dei Turchi to be rewarded with empty shores lined with abandoned fishing boats. Arrive at dei Turchi's car park and you'll likely be confused by the neat rows of striped umbrellas on the horizon. Fear not; this is Alimini Beach. Turn right, walk for five minutes and you'll find the (blissfully bare) sweet spot.
Stay: Plump for one of Masseria Muntibianchi Agriresort's garden rooms for its secluded, pretty walled garden.