Bari, Italy

With the Strait of Otranto licking its small morsel of the Italian coast, Bari is city that exudes sophistication; though free from having to don intricately carved statues at every intersection or placing overpriced trinkets in shop windows for unbeknownst travelers to snatch up, the Puglian capital doesn't just offer a simple concoction of a quaint historic quarter coupled with slowly modernizing commercial and/or industrial areas. Bari's place in the nation's past has always been that of busy port city. Rarely given more than a passing glance by tourists whose mission was to reach Athens' Acropolis, this "ordinary" place has yet to enjoy the limelight, at least for a few years. Things are changing of course, and people now desire more exotic, unfamiliar destinations for their yearly vacations; these mood swings of sorts have brought Bari further up the ladder of the un-tarnish and un-tainted. If you're browsing the alleys and main avenues of Bari and have yet to view a rival to the Parthenon, worry not. This city's extravagance lies not in blatant displays of architecture with stories spanning millennia, but in its museums and art houses. The people of this city have much to contribute to the experience as well; while you're wining and dining yourself at some of the region's best restaurants and bistros, befriending a few locals in the meantime will be a common occurrence. Don't be too shy to ask for a few tips either. The majority of Bari residents are only too happy to guide you to the best sights and the most efficient means of travel.

When to go

Not much different in behavior than the Mediterranean, the Adriatic Sea, the body of water providing such spectacular coastal views for the eastern portion of Italy, also offers a set of climate patterns, if a little drier and warmer. Because it is very much subdued throughout the year, surfing conditions aren't quite as superb as those in Hawaii and Maui. Sunbathers love the weather here, but we must say: when it rains, it rains hard. Occasional soakings typical for tropical regions are almost nonexistent here, and the city is instead apportioned long stretches with clear skies that can last for weeks; to complement these paradisiacal conditions are storms that seemingly last just as long.

Getting there and around

Bari International Airport, a short drive from the city centre, is quite large and accommodates a few dozen flights per day. Of course, Bari is more often visited by cargo ships, cruise liners, and personal watercraft, but its airport has clearly been gaining on Italy's major centers. Public buses and taxis are the most commonly sighted vehicles on Bari's roads, and because the former are far cheaper than the latter to utilize, you'll see many more lingering folk around the city's main bus depot and official stops throughout the town than those waving down cabbies.

Attractions

For a bit of living history you can take a brief trip over to one of Bari's original villages, Polignano a Mare. Tourists seem to either think this area is nonexistent or possibly uninteresting; all we know is that at just about any time of year it is mostly populated by residents and vendors. The views here are quite spectacular as well. No Italian capital is complete without a beautiful Basilica to grace its land. Inside the city's famous ancient walls stands the Basilica di San Nicola, a towering Renaissance masterpiece with an interior that can easily be considered even more wondrous. Because it is considered to be Bari's standout icon, the grounds outside are often littered with tourists and merchants hawking souvenirs. Don't let this fact deter you from seeing the Basilica; in the early morning the area surrounding the cathedral is usually deserted.