Polignano-a-mare - A week in Puglia - 27th October to 3rd November 2023
After the chaos that is Stansted we boarded a predictably basic Ryanair flight to Bari. My neighbour in the window seat appeared to have a weak bladder and made repeated trips to the loo. At each ‘excuse’ me TW became increasingly convinced he was ill and sank even deeper into her ‘isolating jacket’ until only the top of her head was visible.
We arrived at Bari Airport too late for a train to Polignano and so instead we took a speedy taxi through the gloom on a 45 minute ride. It proved to be a good option. If we had caught a train we would have needed to drag our cases a considerable distance from the Railway Station to our Apartment. Our Andres Holiday House was lovely. It was on the first floor of one of the white painted houses quite close to the centre.
Polignano is famous for its diving competitions and also for the song Volare. Volare was written by Domenico Modugno who was born in the town. The lyrics are up in lights on the Via Roma and he has a massive statue in town. It was Italy's entry in in the Eurovision Song Contest back in 1958. It didn't win but it became very popular. Via Roma was the scene of our first culinary expedition, a late Dinner at Olio su Pane. It was late but there was a nice atmosphere as we sat out watching the people go by. Polignano is a great place to wander. Lots of narrow streets lined by whitewashed houses. It is famous for a diving competition where fearless individuals launch themselves from building high above the beach. Not for us!
We decided not to hire a car on this trip and used the trains serving the local area. The nearby Town of Monopoli was our first destination. It's a small coastal town to the South.
Monopoli - 30th October 2023
The Railway Station was quite a long uphill walk away from our apartment in the centre. The train service was pretty good. Nice views of the fields of Olive Trees as we sped towards Monopoli. We had a lovely lunch break in Bar Pizzeria Porto Rosso. Good food and great seaside views.
A very nice Ice Cream Shop in Monopoli, Gasperini Gelateria was too good for TW to pass by without giving their Gelato an appraisal. They made the grade.
Lecce - 31st October 2023
Our second excursion by train was to the lovely City Of Lecce. We had to change trains at Monopoli and, in total, it took about 1hr 45mins but it. was worth the journey. It's a lovely old City with magnificent architecture. Beautiful baroque buildings and a Roman Amphitheatre. Lecce is a great City to walk around.
Osteria Da Angiulino, a traditional Puglian Restaurant, was our choice for lunch. It's a very popular traditional Restaurant serving local specialities. There seemed to be quite a few locals enjoying their lunch, always a good sign. We were lucky to get a table and really enjoyed it.
 |
| Roman Amphitheatre |
 |
| Triumphal Arch |
Bari - 1st November 2023Bari is easily visited by train from Polignano. It was a wet day but we had a long walk around the old part of town. We were able to sit outside under cover at the
Bar Templari for lunch. We hadn't expected,it but Bari also has a really smart shopping area
 |
| A smart shop in Bari |
We were back in Polignano for Dinner at
La Rotellina. We visited this Restaurant several times. its a nice inexpensive restaurant serving good food
 |
| La Rotellina |
 |
Restaurant Antiche Mura
|
We tried one of the posher venues in Via Roma -
Restaurant Antiche Mura. It appears to be in a cellar but it is very smart and a recommended place for seafood.
 |
| Volare oh oh |
3rd November - Heading Home |
| TW takes the train |
Time to leave and our friendly host gave us a lift to the Railway Station. There were no taxis available and it is a bit of a hike to the Station with bags so his offer was moth welcome. The train is a good way to get to Bari Airport, one change at Bari Centrale
