Bari to Polignano a Mare

Bari seems to a very bustling city, however we didn't have a lot of time to explore by the time we got the bikes up and running. 

We stayed in old town where the cars are not allowed because the streets are not wide enough for cars. We arrived just shortly after dark and our cab driver had to drop us off 100 yds and up some stairs from  B&B Bella Bari. We carried all our luggage through the streets, not quite knowing where we were going. But find it we did without too much problem. Exhausted from our 20hrs of travel, but hungry, we had our first true Italian meal. Bread, olives, seafood spaghetti, grilled eggplant, mixed vegetables and of course wine. Oh yes, can definitely get used to this. Good thing we're biking!

After getting the bikes together we took a spin around Bari and scoped out places for dinner. Saturday night in Bari is a happening thing. Everyone out and about, having fun in the piazza, dinner with friends or lovers, drinks in the bars. We found a wonderful place for pizza and wine.

Time to move on. We headed to Polignano a Mare, 40Km from Bari. 

Leaving Bari on a Sunday morning, the roads were busy. The Italian drivers are a bit crazy, but courtious enough to give a fairly wide berth when passing. We followed the coast most of the way, going through a few small towns. It was nice to see other local bikers and their friendly waves. The frontage road next to the main highway made for a nicer ride with less traffic. A third of the way turned into a nice path leading into Polignano a Mare. The town perched above the sea, home of Domenico Modugno. Don't know Domenico? How about the song 'Volare'?  

We were thinking everything would be shut down on Sunday, but there were open markets selling local fruit and vegetables and fish markets with live fish and sea urchins. Definitely a popular delicacy that we found out to be delicious! 

But as beautiful as it all was, there was also the abandoned buildings and garbage tossed everywhere.  Very dissapointed in the lack of respect for such a beautiful place.

Once again we are staying in old town where cars can't go, at B&B Casa Dorsi. Like a maze, you can wander for a time then pop out and see the sea. After a thunderstorm last night we could feel and hear the surge of the waves pounding the cliff next to our B&B. 

The following map is our recorded route.

The following pictures are all taken in Bari.

Off to Monopoli.