Bari: My Favorite City in Southern Italy! 🇮🇹🏖️

#summervacay If you're looking for an incredible, off-the-beaten-path destination in Southern Italy, I highly recommend Bari. It's the capital of the Puglia region, the second-largest region in Southern Italy, and a city with a fascinating past and vibrant present. I learned that it was quite a powerhouse in the 1950s and 60s, driven by some unexpected industries, and it even boasted luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Hermès (though Hermès has since closed). Today, it continues to attract many high-end brands. Getting to Bari: So Easy! I found Bari to be incredibly accessible, with multiple transportation options: By Air: I even found flights from Rome to Bari starting from around 130 RMB (including tax). By Train: High-speed trains are available, with tickets costing roughly 80 Euros for a 5-hour journey. By Bus: There's also a central bus station, and I heard bus fares can be incredibly cheap if you catch a good deal. Exploring Bari City: Old Town Charm & Coastal Beauty Getting from the airport to the city center was easy; the last express train departs around 10 PM. Old Town & Harbor: The Old Town (Bari Vecchia) and its stunning harbor are absolutely beautiful, and I loved exploring them together. The coastline along the Adriatic Sea is particularly noteworthy – I found out it's the very coast depicted in Hayao Miyazaki's film, Porco Rosso! "Bread and Tomato" Beach: When I walked east along the Bari coastline, I discovered a unique local swimming spot with incredibly blue water. It has a charmingly quirky name: "Bread and Tomato" (Pane e Pomodoro). I definitely recommend bringing your swimsuit! City Strolls: I enjoyed strolling through the Old Town and city center, admiring the many beautiful buildings, including the City Hall and a lovely opera house. Being a coastal city, it's generally not too hot, thanks to the refreshing sea breeze. Polignano a Mare: A Nearby Coastal Gem Just a short distance from Bari is Polignano a Mare, an absolutely stunning coastal town in Southern Italy. It's truly a breathtaking place that offers its own unique charm beyond just Naples. #bari #puglia #southernitaly #hiddengem #italytravel #coastalcity #adriaticsea #porcorosso #polignanoamare