Flavors & Wonders of Puglia: An All-Inclusive Adventure

About the destination: Despite the fact Bari is quite a large modern city it has managed to keep the unique atmosphere of small towns. In this city ancient buildings and strict gothic castles border with new trading centres and restaurants, making Bari even more attractive and elegant. Walk along the narrow streets of the city centre to reach the Cathedral of Bari. Built in the 12th century, its crypt is a triumph of Baroque art. In this labyrinthine streets, another fine example of Baroque architecture stands, the beautiful church San Nicola, built a thousand years ago. Castello Normanno Svevo, which was built in 1132, is one of the most notable sights of the city. The Museum of Archaeology is another place of interest in Bari as excavations in the old part of the city haven’t stopped even now, so the museum constantly gets new exhibits. If daytime is traditionally used for unhurried walks on shady valleys, night turns Bari into one noisy discotheque. Trendy bars, pubs, and clubs are ready to entertain their visitors till dawn.

About the destination: Cozy with the fields of olive trees, beautiful like no other part in the world, born of this red earth that perfumes and transforms the surrounding landscape in a succession of wonderful chromatic effects. It is the Valle d'Itria, known as Valle del Trulli, which extends through the provinces of Bari, Brindisi and Taranto and includes the municipalities of Alberobello, Carovigno, Castellana Grotte, Ceglie Messapica, Cisternino, Fasano, Locorotondo, Martina Franca, Noci, Ostuni, Putignano, San Michele Salentino, San Vito dei Normanni and Villa Castelli. It will be the white color of their houses or the vegetation that surrounds them, the fact is that each town, each village of the valley is impregnated with a magical atmosphere, almost fable. In the heart of the Itria Valley, a must-see is Alberobello, included in Unesco's World Heritage List as a World Heritage Site in 1996. It is impossible not to be fascinated by the alleys of the neighborhoods of Monti and Aja Piccola. But it is not just about Alberobello. The landscape of the whole area is planted with these typical constructions: just think of Cisternino that emerges in the so-called Murgia dei Trulli, included along with Locorotondo among the most beautiful villages in Italy. This last one, called until the end of the 19th century "Luogorotondo" for its characteristic round shape of the inhabited center, forms part of the Terra dei Trulli. Not to be missed in any way a "Journey to the center of the earth", to the caves of Castellana (in the municipality of Castellna Grutte): the Grave, the first and largest cavern and the only connected with the outside; And the White Grotto, which will leave your visitors speechless.

About the destination: Watch the fishermen arrive with the catch of the day, try the delicious fish and seafood and visit the main places of interest in this lively port. Spend a morning or an afternoon enjoying the activities of the port of Gallipoli. The port is conveniently located at the point where the old quarter of Gallipoli meets the modern center. It is a place to watch fishermen while they work and try delicious fish and seafood. In the port of Gallipoli, you can also contemplate the work of some of the monuments of several centuries of antiquity in the city. The harbor has several docks, where a colorful mix of fishing boats, cargo ships and yachts float in the water. Stroll through the eastern banks of the port to see the fishermen checking the fruit of their work and repairing their nets. A great part of the fishing is sold to the cafes and restaurants of the city. Try the typical dishes, such as the sea urchin, in the informal restaurants that frame this area of ​​the port. There is also a collection of interesting buildings on the east side of the harbor. Contemplate the twin facades of the Greek fountain, which has carved bas-reliefs and caryatids. See the baroque façade with arches of the sanctuary of Santa Maria del Canneto and the humble church of Santa Cristina. Look west to find the imposing Gallipoli castle, built by the Byzantines in the 13th century. It observes its quadrangular form with three towers and an independent polygonal tower. The castle wall offers panoramic views and opportunities to take fantastic pictures of the harbor and the landscape of the city. On the south bank of the port, the docks lead to the water and are an ideal place to sit and watch the Ionian Sea. See in the distance the island of San Andrés and the beach of the green bay. Arrive in the early hours of the afternoon to enjoy the whole process of the beautiful sunsets. You can walk comfortably from the port of Gallipoli to most of the main attractions of the city. Follow the streets that wind through the old quarter to see important works of architecture, such as the Cathedral of Saint Agatha and the church of St. Francis of Assisi. You can park in the mercantile port, which is bigger and has more shops.

About the destination: Polignano a Mare is a town and comune in the Metropolitan City of Bari, Apulia, southern Italy, located on the Adriatic Sea. The local economy mostly depends on tourism, agriculture and fishing.