Laid-back and inspiring, Bari, the capital city of Puglia on the southeast coast of Italy (think top of the heel of the boot) is idyllic at any time of day: glistening olive gardens, salty breeze from the azure Aegean Sea and the aroma of freshly baked bread fill the mornings, while a medley of music, piquant pastas and rich personalities give rhythm to the late afternoons and evenings. What started out as a sleepy fishing village has grown to over 300,000 inhabitants – a sizable population that has helped the city become an important seaport, economic centre and university city.
Languages
Allora (well then)! Bari, like many other destinations in Italy, has its own strong regional dialect and certainly has a different sound than Italian (which is also spoken around), thanks in part to the influence of Greek. In the hotels and in the major restaurants, English will be spoken in a limited capacity, but a tourist rich in gestures and armed with some key Italian phrases should get on quite well.
See and Do
In Bari Vecchia (the old town) you’ll find museums, trattorias and elegant cathedrals side by side with modernly chic shops featuring designer name goods. Fare una passagiata (take a walk) down via Sparano for lots of shopping, people watching and enjoying the balmy atmosphere of the city. Be sure to try all the savoury local dishes, including Bari’s own orrechiette and oven-baked pastas, and finish off the meal with a cone of gelato – Italy’s famously delicious ice cream. Likewise, head to the beaches and enjoy an evening on the promenade, where you’re likely to see young and old walking su e giu (back and forth) beside the sea. Visit the Cathedral of San Nicholas, named for the patron saint of Bari and where his ashes are said to rest. Meanwhile, nightlife has become more and more outgoing and happening in Bari – especially beside the sea and in the old town itself. Get your cheap tickets to Bari from airBalticTravel and enjoy the slow life in all the right ways!
