Taranto

From Gallipoli to Taranto, and this trip surprisingly was actually calmer than forecast making us wish we had headed straight across the Gulf of Taranto instead of into it. Our plans to anchor off San Pietro island as is mentioned in Navily, were scuppered by the port VTS who told us that permission had to be obtained to do this so we headed towards marinas. No one was responding to our radio calls except the port authorities who confirmed we were on right channel. After milling we decided on a piece of wall to go alongside and miraculously a marinaro ( here they are called ormeggio) appeared with a radio on his belt. He moved us back and sideways onto a stern to mooring but said we might have to move the next day. Once secure we had a quick mooch around the old town, it is very sad, dilapidated, deserted and dirty, we were not feeling inspired about our choice of sheltered location, we would have to be here at least two nights. Next day we had another look around after formally checking in this time, perhaps because the sun was shining, things were looking better, the new town was wide avenues trees people and we found the main historic street of old town which was cleaner a few cafes people other than groups of young men.Read more