arriving in Bari from Durres, Albania
I thought Bari would be a bit icky because it has a massive ferry port situation going on, but it still has a little somethin, somethin.
On the web (do people still say that?)– I’ll answer for you, no– you’ll see there is a street (Arco Basso) where adorable old Italian g-ma’s hand make pasta. Google maps refers to it as Nunzia Pasta Lady extraordinaire of Bari Vecchia. In real life, there are some women selling pasta, but I wouldn’t say they overflow the alleyway with their joy, chatting and laughing in Italian to each other brightening up the darkened skies. There is maybe 4 of them and I don’t even think they like each other.
Partly because I have this weird panic/ doubt thing when I order from markets, but mostly because I had no where to cook the pasta and keeping it for over a week in my backpack didn’t seem ideal, I didn’t buy anything.
eat.
There is a fine gelato place called Antica gelateria Gentile. It’s pretty intense, since they have this ticketing, ordering, watching the screen system that I didn’t fully listen to the instructions so I may have accidently cut in front of people.
The hostel recommended a pizza place called Il Rustico. I know, I know there are so many good pizza places, calm yo tits. It was fab- good portion size/quality for a low price. There was a meal deal with a starter, drink and dessert. As they say in Italian- si.
cheap.
When looking for accommodation, if I see that the places are overpriced and really noisy, then I end up booking a hostel because I figure I will sleep shit anyways. I stayed at the Olive Tree Hostel and it was fine. Nothing spectacular.
travel.
The walk along the water was good and there are a few cute streets and plazas to wander around.
Alberobello
This place is fun, but hella touristy.
When I arrived in Bari, I checked into my hostel then walked out the door to catch a bus to Alberobello. I don’t know what part of the 34 year old me thought I had the stamina for something like this, but that could be why I headed back from my day trip early to take a nap.
You catch the bus from Bari to Alberobello on the road behind the train station (if you are walking from the center) I bought my ticket on my phone as I walked/panicked to the station. When I rocked up to the bus, the doors closed and it drove off, but they had a second bus leaving at around the same time so all good.
Coming from Albania, where people are seated on make-shift chairs in the center aisle, I was expecting mayhem, but all I got was a boring, regular bus experience instead.
The drive passed by some cute towns and pleasant countryside. The bus station/stop in Alberobello is obvious – the driver announced it and everyone basically got off. It’s a brisk jaunt to the centre, but a quick snack was in order before that.
eat.
The yum Italian sandwich shop La Pagnottella – Alberobello didn’t disappoint. Fresh ingredients, made to order.
cheap.
Free, quiet, spots are always on at the top of a cheapos list. The best streets I found were around the Trulli side of Alberobello.
There are some scrumptious corners and small alley ways that you just need to snap up.
- Trulli – Rione Aia Piccola (UNESCO)
- Belvedere sui Trulli
- The Secret Garden (not so secret if it’s on Google
I was getting sleepy so I didn’t go into Maffei Sgobba Group, it is a souvenir shop, but apparently it has a rooftop with the nicest view.
Travel.
Heading back to Bari, I caught a bus from the same bus station where I got dropped off. Again, quite busy/full, but I got a seat.
On to Rimini.
