Apulia offers the optimal conditions to discover and enjoy its treasures throughout the year, outside the conventional summer tours, thanks to its mild and temperate climate, the beauty of its countryside and its rich gastronomic traditions.
Bari, Apulia regional capital, concentrates its treasures in its medieval historic centre: the Basilica of Saint Nicholas which enshrines the Patron Saint’s relics beneath the alter in the crypt; the Norman-Swabian Castle whose towers and bastions protect the entrance to the city and dominate the sea today as a thousand year ago; the Cathedral of San Sabino, splendid example of Apulian Romanesque architecture. A walk along Bari historic centre is a unique experience. It seems as time has stood still: sitting outside their doorways local women prepare hand-made orecchiette (ear-shaped pasta) or popizze (small fried dough balls) and sgagliozze (slices of fried polenta) with amazing speed especially on holidays; the scent of focaccia and panzerotti comes out from wood-burning ovens where you can stop and taste these local specialties accompanied by a glass of full-bodied genuine wine. A triumph of flavours and aromas enhanced by friendly locals who serve these delicacies in the same medieval setting of narrow streets and courtyards as in the times of Frederick II.
The modern part of Bari has its own charm, too. It takes the name of Murat quarter from its French founder Joachim Murat and is laid out on a rectangular grid-plan. It boasts many notable monuments, including three prestigious theatres, namely the Teatro Piccinni, the Teatro Petruzzelli and the Liberty-style Teatro Margherita which has a unique peculiarity: its pillars are based in the sea. A walk along the promenade should not be missed: elegant buildings overlook the sea, such as Kursaal Santa Lucia theatre, Albergo delle Nazioni and Palazzo della Provincia with the most important art gallery in Apulia. Proceeding southwards along the coast, long sandy beaches alternate with white pebble or rocky coves surrounded by a beautiful Mediterranean Scrub. In this enchanting landscape Polignano a Mare, called “the Pearl of the Adriatic Sea”, stands out with its unforgettable sea front, and heading southwards, you reach Monopoli with its suggestive historic centre characterized by a maze of charming lively little streets and dominated by the Aragonese Castle and the 18th century Cathedral. The countryside is lovely, too: gorgeous fortified farmhouses, picturesque dry-stone walls and endless expanses of centuries-old olive trees with gnarled and twisted trunks, which create sculptural-like compositions, draw a delightful landscape climbing up from the sea to the hill. We are entering Itria Valley, whose gateway is Castellana Grotte. With an underground path of over 3km, more than 100 meters deep, Castellana Grotte are considered the most spectacular caves in Italy. They are famous for the white Cave, defined as the most shining alabaster cave in the world. The visit goes down to 70 meters deep. Pathways for people with disabilities are also available along with night visits, events and concerts.