KimPetit

Has anyone been to the area Puglia? We are stying in Bari for a week and will have a car. Does anyone have a suggestion? Thank you, KIM

ThinGorjus

I couldn't imagine staying in Bari for a week. I was there for one day waiting to take the SuperFast (ship) to Greece. The people are very nice, but backward. Lots of rotten teeth. There are all these strange lumps of earth around that look like mini-teepees. I think some ancient people used to live in them. Good luck.

LoveItaly

Hi Kim, yes I have stayed in Bari. Bari has a reputation rather like Naples does, pickpockets and drugs. So as in most places you need to use common sense, perhaps be extra alert but that can be true of a lot of places.

There is the old town and the new town. I wouldn't wander around the old town at night. I would stay in a good hotel, not the place to try to save money.

I liked Bari and am very glad we visited there. In fact one of the best fish dinners I have ever eaten was on the beach north of Bari.

People in Bari were very kind, friendly and fun. Outside of the hotel desk clerk I don't really remember coming across anyone else that spoke English.

Do you have family there?

KimPetit

No, I do not have family there except my fiancé and I along with my parents have rented a Villa there and a car. We know that Bari is not the most touristy place and we also have a car and are using Bari as a base for "a back roads" kinda feel. I did notknow about the reputation - how sad but will be on the lookout and alert. The man at the villa does not speak English as well and this will be quite the adventure. LoveItaly stated that you were there. How long and what did you do? Any more info would be great. Thanks. KIM

vnh

I go to Puglia quite frequently and although i haven't spent much time in Bari itself, I have been advised to stay out of the old town at night but it's pretty much the same in any city. I'll try not to be offended by the post stating that the people are backward. I think that is a little shallow in terms of a view but anyway, it isn't something i've found. The area of the Trulli around Alberobello is beautiful and has the 'mini-tepee' houses although a lot are still inhabited and it is great to visit that aresa

vnh

Sorry.. i posted that by mistake but i'll continue where i left off! So Alberobello is lovely to the south. You can also visit Matera with the strange cave-like Sassi which is where the Mel Gibson Christ film was filmed (can't remember the proper name!). Castel del Monte is also nearby which is a beautifully preserved castle from the middle ages built by the Swabians. It is certainly worth seeing. And from Bari to the south east are some beautiful beaches - the cleanest in Italy. Puglia has a massive olive oil and wine production as well as providing most of the pasta in italy so the food is rustic but good. The people are very friendly and I have never found the backward unless you call someone that doesn't speak english backward! Can answer most specifics if you like. I, personally, think it's a wonderful area.

KimPetit

ynh, I have posted this thread to my Mom and I am sure she will have some specific questions. Thank you for all of your info. We did want to know if there was a natural "spa" in the area.

ThinGorjus

Sorry, that you were offended. When I used the word "backward," I meant that the people are not sophisticated. They certainly are not like the people you would meet in Milan, Venice, Florence, or Rome. You don't see any women walking down the street in Bari wearing Prada. And you yourself admitted that few people speak English, certainly not multi-lingual and educated like many people you would find in the north of Italy. When the majority of people you meet smile at you revealing missing and rotten teeth, you get the impression that they are backward. Sorry if I got the wrong impression of Bari.

Kate

ThinGorJus, just shows how much you know. Think you're a bit out of date. Puglia is fast becoming the 'next big thing', and if you take a trip to Ostuni, you'll find some of the hippest condenast-esque hotels this side of Milan.

Kim, have you done a search on this forum for 'Puglia'. There's a few recent posts (I"m buying a villa near Brindisi so have made a few trips there this year).

Guidebooks in English are currently thin on the ground for this region, but try doing a google search on puglian articles - most of the major newspapers have included articles on the region in recent months, as well as most of the travel magazines, so you should find plenty of articles to give you ideas.

Look up sites like Conde Nast Traveller and ItalyMag (a British publication).

The Times (UK) wote a not so great article that I heartedly disagreed with. It was poor because the writer was clearly expecting Tuscany. Puglia is VERY different.

ellenem

Yes, the old town of Bari has a bad reputation. When I visited there last October with an Italian friend, she warned me of the pickpockets and organized crime in this area. (In half a dozen trips with her to various Italian cities, never before had she given me such a warning.)

We visited the old town of Bari during the day and had a pleasant time folowing the mazelike streets and stopping in various churches. This is a real neighborhood, where everyone knows everyone and are watchful of strangers.

We had no car, but rode a bus or train to spots near our base in Molfetta. If you search for "Molfetta" you can find my trip report.

LoveItaly

Hi KimPetit, you will love Bari and the surronding areas. Again, IMO the people of Bari are wonderful. I wish I could remember the name of the fish restaurant north of Bari on the beach. We went at night, I remember that we went north, and then through an industrial area and after that there was a one story rambling restaurant on our right. I would imagine it is still there and probably someone in Bari or the owner of the villa can give you the name.

Please, don't be sad!!! I would love to be going to a villa in that area for a week. You are fortunate!!

Be sure to see the Basilica di San Nicola, also the castle in the old area.

Bari is along the sea so do try their fish dishes. Very yummy.

And enjoy!!! I hope you will give us a trip report.