Flavors & Wonders of Puglia: An All-Inclusive Adventure

About the destination: Despite being a large, modern city, Bari has managed to maintain the unique ambiance of a small town. This city blends ancient structures and stern gothic castles with new shopping centers and restaurants, enhancing Bari's attractiveness and elegance. Take a stroll through the city center's narrow streets to reach the Bari Cathedral. Constructed in the 12th century, its crypt is a masterpiece of Baroque art. In these winding streets, another excellent example of Baroque architecture stands - the beautiful San Nicola church, built a thousand years ago. The Castello Normanno Svevo, constructed in 1132, is one of the city's most notable landmarks. The Archaeology Museum is another point of interest in Bari, as excavations in the old city continue to this day, providing the museum with a steady stream of new exhibits. While the daytime is typically reserved for leisurely walks in shaded valleys, Bari transforms into a bustling discotheque at night. Trendy bars, pubs, and clubs are ready to entertain guests until the break of dawn.

About the destination: Here is a translation of the provided text into English (USA): Nestled among fields of olive trees, beautiful like no other place in the world, born from this red earth that scents and transforms the surrounding landscape into a series of wonderful chromatic effects. This is the Valle d'Itria, also known as the Valley of the Trulli, which stretches across the provinces of Bari, Brindisi, and Taranto, and includes the towns of Alberobello, Carovigno, Castellana Grotte, Ceglie Messapica, Cisternino, Fasano, Locorotondo, Martina Franca, Noci, Ostuni, Putignano, San Michele Salentino, San Vito dei Normanni, and Villa Castelli. Whether it's the white color of their houses or the vegetation that surrounds them, each town, each village in the valley is imbued with a magical, almost fairy-tale atmosphere. In the heart of the Itria Valley, a must-see is Alberobello, which was included in UNESCO's World Heritage List as a World Heritage Site in 1996. It's impossible not to be captivated by the alleys of the Monti and Aja Piccola neighborhoods. But it's not just about Alberobello. The landscape of the entire area is dotted with these typical constructions: just think of Cisternino, which stands out in the so-called Murgia dei Trulli, included along with Locorotondo among the most beautiful villages in Italy. The latter, known until the end of the 19th century as "Luogorotondo" for its characteristic round shape of the inhabited center, is part of the Terra dei Trulli. A "Journey to the Center of the Earth" is not to be missed, to the caves of Castellana (in the municipality of Castellana Grotte): the Grave, the first and largest cavern and the only one connected with the outside; and the White Grotto, which will leave visitors speechless.

About the destination: Watch the fishermen arrive with the catch of the day, try the delicious fish and seafood, and visit the main places of interest in this lively port. Spend a morning or an afternoon enjoying the activities at the port of Gallipoli. Conveniently located where the old quarter of Gallipoli meets the modern center, it’s a great spot to watch fishermen at work and sample delicious fish and seafood. At the port of Gallipoli, you can also admire monuments that reflect centuries of the city’s history. The harbor features several docks, where a colorful mix of fishing boats, cargo ships, and yachts float in the water. Stroll along the eastern banks of the port to see fishermen checking their catch and repairing their nets. Much of the fish is sold to the city’s cafes and restaurants. Try typical dishes, such as sea urchin, at the informal restaurants that line this area of the port. On the east side of the harbor, there’s also a collection of interesting buildings. Admire the twin facades of the Greek fountain, adorned with carved bas-reliefs and caryatids. See the baroque façade with arches of the sanctuary of Santa Maria del Canneto and the humble church of Santa Cristina. Look west to find the imposing Gallipoli castle, built by the Byzantines in the 13th century. Observe its quadrangular shape with three towers and an independent polygonal tower. The castle wall offers panoramic views and opportunities to take fantastic pictures of the harbor and the cityscape. On the south bank of the port, the docks lead to the water and are an ideal place to sit and watch the Ionian Sea. In the distance, see the island of San Andrés and the beach of the green bay. Arrive in the early afternoon to enjoy the entire process of the beautiful sunsets. You can easily walk from the port of Gallipoli to most of the city’s main attractions. Follow the winding streets through the old quarter to see important architectural works, such as the Cathedral of Saint Agatha and the church of St. Francis of Assisi. You can park in the commercial port, which is larger and has more shops.

About the destination: Polignano a Mare is a town and municipality in the Metropolitan City of Bari, Apulia, southern Italy, situated on the Adriatic Sea. The local economy primarily relies on tourism, agriculture, and fishing.