This great castle is the second of the four castles in Brindisi. In the 13th century, Emperor Frederick II commanded the construction of this fortress in which the citizens could take refuge in case of danger and to better defend themselves. Later, in the mid-15th century Ferdinand I of Naples decided to add new town walls in order to defend the castle from deadly shootings. Today it represents one of the leading Navy bases in Italy.

Built in 1933 at the peak of Mussolini’s regime, this memorial towering over Brindisi’s harbour survives as a monument to seamen lost during the two world wars. The monument mimics a giant rudder, beneath which a crypt in the shape of a ship’s hull bears the names of the 36,000 Italians lost at sea.

Gränna and Visingsö are unmissable destinations offering enchanting views, manor houses, cobbled roads, bicycle rides, idyllic wooden cabins, castle ruins, paths, and oak forests. Gränna, founded by Count Per Brahe the Younger in 1652, boasts the Grenna Museum, where you can delve into the fascinating history of S.A. Andrée's adventurous balloon voyage over the North Pole in 1897. Be sure to try the town's sweet signature, the peppermint rock, originally red and white, now available in an array of flavours. Just a 30-minute boat ride away, Visingsö beckons as an ideal day trip with its captivating attractions, including the ruined Näs Castle, Sweden's first royal residence. Explore the island on foot, embark on a special horse-drawn carriage (known as a remmalag), or enjoy a leisurely bicycle ride, all while taking in the picturesque surroundings.