Bari is often treated as little more than the place where you land before setting off to explore Puglia. That is a mistake. The capital of Puglia is one of southern Italy’s most interesting cities: a lively Adriatic port where medieval churches, narrow old-town streets, elegant nineteenth-century avenues, beaches and some of the region’s best … Read more
Ten days is enough to experience Puglia as a region rather than as a collection of famous postcards. You can begin with Gargano’s forested promontory and dramatic Adriatic coast, move through Bari and the limestone towns of central Puglia, then finish in Lecce and Salento where the landscape and architecture change again. The route is … Read more
Matera is not in Puglia. It is in the neighbouring region of Basilicata, and that distinction matters. But for travellers based in Bari, Altamura or central Puglia, Matera is one of the most rewarding day trips you can add to an itinerary. The city is famous for the Sassi, the ancient cave districts of Sasso … Read more
Bari is one of those cities where some of the best food is not hidden behind restaurant doors. It is sold by the slice in historic bakeries, fried in front of ground-floor homes in Bari Vecchia, handed over in paper bags from small counters, or eaten standing a few steps from the sea. If you … Read more
Bari is not usually the first place travelers picture when they imagine a beach holiday in Puglia. The regional capital is better known for Bari Vecchia, the Basilica di San Nicola, focaccia barese and its long seafront. Yet one of Bari’s great advantages is that you can combine a genuine city break with surprisingly easy … Read more