Debi

Has anyone been to Bari - and if so, could you give advice on what to see there? We have 1 day there - and the options are: <BR>a) just see Bari, b) See Lecce or c) Do a tour of Bari, Alberobello and Ostuni. Any guidance would be appreciated.

vincent

dear debi, <BR>I believe that b and c options are better. Bari is a large port town and for that not very interesting, moreover is one of the less safe towns in Italy. Lecce is full of wonderfull baroque architecture, , made of the local soft stone ( I am a graduating student in architecture and for that i like this place), but it is a small town.Alberobello is unique for its houses, built without mortar; Ostuni is a typical white village resembling greek ones.

Elizabeth

We spent a week in Puglia last year, and I would agree that there are better options than a day in Bari. If your choice is between Lecce and Alberobello/Ostuni I would offer the following comments: <BR> <BR>- Lecce is beautiful - if you are interested in baroque architecture it is lovely <BR> <BR>- Alberobello and the drive to Ostuni is the heart of "trulli" country - a charming form of architecture <BR> <BR>If I could only do one - it would be Alberobello/Ostuni for the trullis - there was something about the whole thing that simply put a smile on my face the whole time - it's charming and full of history and delightful. <BR> <BR>Here's another suggestion though - in Otranto there's the most amazing Norman mural in the town cathedral (similar in style to the Bayeux tapestry). It would actually be my FIRST choice but it's a bit of a hike from Bari. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip!

BOB THE NAVIGATOR

Debi, I just got back from this area and <BR>I agree to forget Bari, However, you can do more than just the 2 towns in one day. The entire square made up of <BR>Ostuni, Martina Franca, Locorotondo, and <BR>Alberobello is the way to go---ending in <BR>the latter---or reverse. We loved the area--take some film with you. Try to <BR>have lunch in Martina Franca---a most <BR>civilized town with great architecture.

Debi

Thank you for the info! We'd never heard of this part of Italy, and were presented with the choices I noted - had no idea which to do. We'll definitely plan on NOT hanging around Bari. D

maureen

Bob the nav. Did you go through a small town south of Bari, Monopoli. I want to look up relatives next year. any comments appreciated, it is almost never mentioned ?

Dona

I agree with Bob's suggestions. Martina Franca is SUCH a beautiful town! <BR> <BR>Maureen, these towns are so close - we drove through Monopoli - it is very close to all of these areas. <BR> <BR>I stayed in a fabulous place in Savelletri, Masseria San Domenico - it's worth a look even if you don't stay there... <BR> <BR>I loved this part of Italy - so different from other areas... <BR> <BR>Have a great time... <BR> <BR>Dona

BOB THE NAVIGATOR

Maureen, Did not hit Monopoli, but we did spend a day in Gallipoli way down on <BR>the heel. Find my post last week called <BR>" Navigating with Bob" for a 4 page trip <BR>report on our entire trip.

maureen

Thanks to Dona and Bob the Nav.. I appreciate the name of a hotel since it is hard to find info on it... and thanks to Bob for your new post.

angelina

ok, so everybody hates bari. but crappy towns are much more interesting. anyway, i'm going there not as a tourist, but to visit the place of my people. a lot of us have people in pittsburgh, and we love it because we have ties to it. craptown usa, craptown italy - same thing. so if anybody has any insight, pleasare it with me. thanks

KT

Well, I've never been to poor old maligned Bari, which has had a lot of bad luck over the years, including bombing during WWII and earthquake damage. However, I can tell you that there's a Romanesque basilica there, San Nicola, which I'd like to see and which is well-regarded by fans of that sort of thing. Even if you don't like Romanesque architecture, you might want to see Santa Claus's relics there.

Debi

I want to thank everyone for the advice to see the other 3 cities instead of just going to Bari - definitely the right decision. The only thing the tour stopped in was the basilica mentioned by previous poster. The rest of the time we spent in the other cities and going through the beautiful countryside! Specifically, Alberobello was wonderful. Everyone who stayed in Bari was very disappointed. They weren't sure what was going on - but there seemed to be alot of armed police in Bari (much more than anywhere else we were....). So - thanks again for the great input!

Dona

Debi, <BR> <BR>Just for your information, I believe the situation with Bari, and also with Brindisi, is that there is a refugee problem in these port towns due to the unrest in the Balkans. <BR> <BR>Glad you had a great time... Aren't i trulli rather amazing?? <BR> <BR>Dona

Debi

Dona - yes, you trulli are. <BR> <BR>They were the best part of the whole trip!! I took 3 rolls of film on them alone......