The weather in the South is still very warm in September, so we enjoyed true summer, apart from the last 2 (rainy) days. I am telling you that from the moment I arrived I felt that the sun in Bari is shining in a different way, and the sea view is absolutely breath-taking. So much, that you feel you could be left there on the sea shore and relax for hours on end without getting bored.
Bari is an elegant and clean city, with wide streets and massive buildings, of different architectural styles. And for some reason, it is also pretty difficult to get lost, as the city center is somehow square, and wherever you walk, and no matter how much you go round, you end up in the same places you have seen before. Think about the fact that it was my first time in Bari, I am no master of orientation, and still I didn't get lost. One might argue that you have nothing to see in Bari, but it's not true. I could recommend you the Bari Castle (or Castello Normanno-Svevo), the Cathedral of St. Nicola, or a little stroll around the old city (Bari Vecchia).
However, what you must really know is that you should not limit yourself only to the city of Bari. From the Central Station, you can take several trains to the surrounding areas, for extra natural beauties, beaches or quirky places. Besides, there are 3 or 4 train companies operating from Bari, apart from the national company Trenitalia, and each company covers different destinations. Therefore, you must also pay attention where you want to go, and which train company goes there. There are different ticket offices and different stations, so be very careful. Prices vary according to distance, but in general it doesn't cost more than 5 euro a one way ticket.
The first place I am advising you to visit is Polignano a Mare, if you want to go to the beach, and to enjoy a view which is even more impressive than the Bari sea shore. It basically gives you the feeling that infinity lies in front of you, and your thoughts and dreams become unlimited. I kid you not! :)
The beach is made of stones and cliffs, which means paradise for cliff divers, but also makes it quite uncomfortable for swimmers and sunbathers, if you don't have plastic slippers, as the chance to hurt your feet increases. I didn't have them. Nuff said! :) For a sandy beach, I was recommended Monopoli, but I didn't have time to get there too, so maybe next time I will be luckier. The water is clean and deep, and swimming around cliffs and under rocky tunnels is a special sensation. However, be careful here as well, because the sea gets deep at a rather short distance after entering, and soon you will stop touching bottom. Do not venture too far, do not swim too fast, and always make sure that your friends are around in case of an emergency. Last but not least, I am challenging you to find a famous friend in Polignano. He is a famous Italian singer and songwriter, who was originary from this town, and who made history with a song that the whole world knows. Guess who he is, find him and take a picture! :)
Another place which you should not miss is... yep, you guessed, Alberobello, a small town in the province of Bari. Alberobello is part of the UNESCO World Heritage thanks to its little houses called 'trulli', and which are a typical feature of the area. You will see entire streets made of these little houses, which might as well pass for the house of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in multiple copies. However, these houses can be homes, shops, restaurants and cafes and even hotels. Time for a relaxing stroll, buying souvenirs, typical foods and drinks, and getting impressed in front of so much cuteness! Speaking of souvenirs, let me tell you that most souvenirs you can buy are handmade, and apart from small miniature and magnet trulli, you will also see objects which have to do with traditional superstitions and rituals, such as the 'tree of life', bright and colourful, which apparently was given as a present by the young man of times past to his beloved, in order to bring fertility. Hmmm... Pugliese romanticism! :D
Money-wise, the region of Puglia is a convenient place to visit. Food is cheap and delicious, although it is mainly based on bread and pasta - focaccia (bread with various toppings, mainly vegetables and cheese), panzerotto (like a breaded wallet stuffed with mozzarella and tomatoes), orecchiette (ear-shaped pasta, usually eaten with meat ragu' and parmesan cheese), tarallucci (small pretzels with different flavours, such as olives, herbs or chilly pepper). And if you visit Polignano, I recommend you to eat at the Pescaria, a restaurant specialized in fish dishes, including raw fish tartar. You will stay in the queue for quite a long while, but I promise it will be worth it. Also, in Alberobello you will find various types of sweet liquors, in flavours such as pistacchio and fico d'India (nothing else than cactus fruit).
After my 4 days visit to Puglia (the 5th day was spent somewhere else, but we will talk about it soon), I swear that... it was hardly enough. But at least I saw a bit of everything I wanted to see. And I took lots of nice memories with me. Puglia is the place to be if you want to relax and feel on top of the world!
Bari is an elegant and clean city, with wide streets and massive buildings, of different architectural styles. And for some reason, it is also pretty difficult to get lost, as the city center is somehow square, and wherever you walk, and no matter how much you go round, you end up in the same places you have seen before. Think about the fact that it was my first time in Bari, I am no master of orientation, and still I didn't get lost. One might argue that you have nothing to see in Bari, but it's not true. I could recommend you the Bari Castle (or Castello Normanno-Svevo), the Cathedral of St. Nicola, or a little stroll around the old city (Bari Vecchia).
However, what you must really know is that you should not limit yourself only to the city of Bari. From the Central Station, you can take several trains to the surrounding areas, for extra natural beauties, beaches or quirky places. Besides, there are 3 or 4 train companies operating from Bari, apart from the national company Trenitalia, and each company covers different destinations. Therefore, you must also pay attention where you want to go, and which train company goes there. There are different ticket offices and different stations, so be very careful. Prices vary according to distance, but in general it doesn't cost more than 5 euro a one way ticket.
The first place I am advising you to visit is Polignano a Mare, if you want to go to the beach, and to enjoy a view which is even more impressive than the Bari sea shore. It basically gives you the feeling that infinity lies in front of you, and your thoughts and dreams become unlimited. I kid you not! :)
The beach is made of stones and cliffs, which means paradise for cliff divers, but also makes it quite uncomfortable for swimmers and sunbathers, if you don't have plastic slippers, as the chance to hurt your feet increases. I didn't have them. Nuff said! :) For a sandy beach, I was recommended Monopoli, but I didn't have time to get there too, so maybe next time I will be luckier. The water is clean and deep, and swimming around cliffs and under rocky tunnels is a special sensation. However, be careful here as well, because the sea gets deep at a rather short distance after entering, and soon you will stop touching bottom. Do not venture too far, do not swim too fast, and always make sure that your friends are around in case of an emergency. Last but not least, I am challenging you to find a famous friend in Polignano. He is a famous Italian singer and songwriter, who was originary from this town, and who made history with a song that the whole world knows. Guess who he is, find him and take a picture! :)
Another place which you should not miss is... yep, you guessed, Alberobello, a small town in the province of Bari. Alberobello is part of the UNESCO World Heritage thanks to its little houses called 'trulli', and which are a typical feature of the area. You will see entire streets made of these little houses, which might as well pass for the house of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in multiple copies. However, these houses can be homes, shops, restaurants and cafes and even hotels. Time for a relaxing stroll, buying souvenirs, typical foods and drinks, and getting impressed in front of so much cuteness! Speaking of souvenirs, let me tell you that most souvenirs you can buy are handmade, and apart from small miniature and magnet trulli, you will also see objects which have to do with traditional superstitions and rituals, such as the 'tree of life', bright and colourful, which apparently was given as a present by the young man of times past to his beloved, in order to bring fertility. Hmmm... Pugliese romanticism! :D
Money-wise, the region of Puglia is a convenient place to visit. Food is cheap and delicious, although it is mainly based on bread and pasta - focaccia (bread with various toppings, mainly vegetables and cheese), panzerotto (like a breaded wallet stuffed with mozzarella and tomatoes), orecchiette (ear-shaped pasta, usually eaten with meat ragu' and parmesan cheese), tarallucci (small pretzels with different flavours, such as olives, herbs or chilly pepper). And if you visit Polignano, I recommend you to eat at the Pescaria, a restaurant specialized in fish dishes, including raw fish tartar. You will stay in the queue for quite a long while, but I promise it will be worth it. Also, in Alberobello you will find various types of sweet liquors, in flavours such as pistacchio and fico d'India (nothing else than cactus fruit).
After my 4 days visit to Puglia (the 5th day was spent somewhere else, but we will talk about it soon), I swear that... it was hardly enough. But at least I saw a bit of everything I wanted to see. And I took lots of nice memories with me. Puglia is the place to be if you want to relax and feel on top of the world!
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