EN: I’ve organized this trip as a gift for my boyfriend’s birthday, Alex. We chose to visit the South of Italy by car, so we could visit more places during our five days trip.
Our plane landed in Bari where we had reserved a car at Avis rental company. I also considered planning the trip with the train, but the car gave us more freedom and believe me, it’s cheap and convenient.
I was the one in charge of the itinerary, and though there were a lot of different options of road trips, I decided to organize it in my own style.
After landing in Bari we rented the car and left for our first destination: Matera.
RO: Am organizat aceasta excursie cu ocazia zilei de nastere a iubitului meu, Alex. Am ales sa vizitam Puglia cu masina, pentru a vedea cat mai multe locuri in cele 5 zile de vacanta.
Luasem in calcul si varianta de a calatori cu trenul prin Puglia, dar am decis ca cea mai mare libertate o vom avea daca alegem sa inchiriem o masina. Am aterizat in Bari unde rezervaseram deja o masina la Avis. A fost o idee super buna si ne-a costat foarte putin.
Eu m-am ocupat de organizarea itinerariului. Sunt multe variante de roadtrip in Puglia, dar mie aceasta mi s-a parut cea mai ok.
Dupa aterizarea in Bari, am preluat masina rezervata din aeroport si am pornit catre prima destinatie, Matera.
RO: Ziua 1- Matera
Am mers direct in Sassi di Matera pentru a vedea casele sapate in stanca denumite “ sassi “. Intregul loc este fascinant, iar un lucru uimitor este faptul ca aceste locuinte au fost construite in urma cu aproape 9 mii de ani, in epoca paleolitica. Sassi di Matera a fost incadrat in patrimoniul mondial UNESCO din 1993.
Ne-am plimbat pe toate stradutele inguste in sus si in jos, pana ne-au lasat picioarele. Ne asteptam sa fie mai aglomerat, dar erau foarte putini turisti, lucru care ne-a incantat si mai tare, pentru ca am putut sa admiram mai bine frumusetea locului.
Intreaga plimbare ne-a luat aproximativ 2-3 ore, timp in care am facut si multe poze. Cred ca cea mai buna impresie despre frumusetea locului v-o veti face privind pozele de mai jos.
La plecare ne-am uitat pe tripadvisor dupa un loc in care sa mancam bine, mai putin turistic si frecventat mai mult de localnici. Asa am gasit o pizzerie mica, de cartier, unde au peste 30 de tipuri de pizza, iar cele 2 pe care le-am incercat noi au fost DELICIOASE! Toata lumea din pizzerie se cunostea cu toata lumea, se salutau cu alti oameni care treceau pe strada, era clar ca nimerisem intr-un loc unde mananca oamenii din zona! Noi am stat pe terasa mica cu 3 mese si ne-am imprietenit cu 3 doamne in varsta, ceea ce a facut experienta si mai draguta.
Localul se numeste Altrapizza si il gasiti la 2 minute de mers pe jos de Sassi di Matera.
Seara am plecat catre prima cazare. Am rezervat prin airbnb o noapte la o ferma in Santeramo in colle, o comuna la aproximativ jumatatea distantei dintre Bari si Matera.
EN: Day 1- Matera
We went straight to Sassi di Matera to see the sassi houses dug into the rock. The place is fascinating and one impressive thing is that the sassi were built 9 thousands years ago, in the Paleolithic. Sassi di Matera is part of UNESCO heritage since 1993.
We walked up and down the beautiful narrow streets. The walk took us about 2-3 hours, including the time spent taking lots of pictures. I hope I’ll help you make an idea about how beautiful this place is by looking at the photos.
We were expecting more crowds, but there were a few tourists, so we enjoyed the place even more.
Before leaving we checked Tripadvisor for a place to eat, less touristic and found a small pizzeria packed with locals where they had over 30 options of pizza. We tried 2 of them and there were delicious! They had a small 3 table terrace and we talked with some friendly Italian ladies which made our experience even nicer!
The place is called Altrapizza and it’s near Sassi di Matera at 2 minutes walking.
We then left for Santeramo in Colle for our first accommodation, which is located at half distance from Bari to Matera.
RO: Ziua 2 – Alberobello
Dimineata, dupa ce am baut rapid o cafea si am mai stat de vorba cu gazdele in curte, am pornit spre Alberobello.
Alberobello este recunoscut pentru multitudinea de casute trulli ( trullo = casuta de piatra cu acoperis conic ). Aceste case sunt specifice Pugliei si se gasesc peste tot pe Valea Itriei, fiind inca locuite.
Din primul moment in care am ajuns in Alberobello, ne-am simtit ca intr-o poveste, una cu pitici, pentru ca aceste case sunt foarte mici si simpatice.
Majoritatea casutelor din centru s-au transformat in magazine cu suveniruri, restaurante sau muzee, astfel ca puteti sa vizitati interiorul unei case, si veti fi surprinsi sa observati ca sunt destul de spatioase. Puteti sa si dormiti intr-o astfel de casa, exista destule variante de cazare in zona.
In Alberobello am gustat preparatul de patiserie traditional al Pugliei: pasticioto – niste pateuri delicioase umplute cu diverse creme ( de fistic, mar copt, vanilie etc). Recomand localul Martinucci pentru cele mai bune pasticioto si un pahar de Aperol spritz!
Desi este superb si ziua, Alberobello are un farmec aparte la apus, cand turistii se mai retrag, iar acoperisurile de piatra stralucesc sub lumina calda a soarelui, deci recomand sa prindeti si un apus aici!
O zi este suficienta pentru Alberobello, din punctul meu de vedere.
Cazarea am avut-o in centrul orasului, rezervata tot prin airbnb, am stat intr-o casa foarte draguta, cu vedere deasupra acoperisurilor trulli.
EN: Day 2 – Alberobello
In the morning, after drinking our coffee and talking with our nice hosts we left for Alberobello.
Alberobello is known for its trulli houses – a trullo is a traditional dry stone house with a conic roof. These are specific to the Itria Valley and they are still inhabited.
From the first moment we have arrived, we felt like we were in a fairytale because of these cute little houses.
Most of the trulli in the city center have become souvenir shops, museums or restaurants and you’d be surprised how spacious they are on the inside! You can even sleep in one, there are a lot of trulli accommodation in the area.
I recommend you to try a traditional Puglian pastry – pasticiotto – filled with custard or ricotta. You can try them at Martinucci with an Aperol spritz!
Though Alberobello is beautiful during the day, it has a special charm at the sunset, when it is less crowded and the roofs shine under the warm light! You have to see the sunset in Alberobello!
From my point of view, a day is enough to visit this charming city.
RO: Ziua 3 – Porto Cesareo
De dimineata am pornit spre sud, catre Provincia Lecce, cu destinatia Porto Cesareo, pentru a face plaja.
A fost dificil sa alegem o plaja, pentru ca sunt foarte multe plaje superbe aici, cu nisip fin si ape turcoaz. Am ales Torre Lapillo, si bine am facut! Plaja este destul de mare, dar nu era deloc aglomerata, uneori eram doar noi in apa! Si desi era destul de libera, pe plaja gasiti si un restaurant cu preparate gustoase cu fructe de mare si o terasa cu inghetate si tot ce va doriti!
Seara ne-am plimbat prin Porto Cesareo, am facut si putin shopping de suveniruri, am admirat portul si ne-am etalat bronzul proaspat:))
EN: Day 3 – Porto Cesareo
On the 3rd morning we left Alberobello and we headed South, to Lecce Provincia, with destination: Porto Cesareo’s beaches.
It was difficult choosing a beach, because most of them in this region are beautiful, with turqoise and clear water and with fine sand. We chose Torre Lapillo and it was a good decision! The beach is large but it was almost empty, with few people, but it still had a great restaurant where we ate seafood and shops with ice cream and other things.
After the beach we visited Porto Cesareo, shopped some souvenirs and took pictures with our new fresh tan.?
RO: Ziua 4
Desi ne-a placut foarte mult sa facem plaja in Porto Cesareo, cum noi nu suntem genul de cuplu care sa stea intr-un loc, am decis sa pornim spre o noua destinatie de plaja- Polignano a Mare.
Ostuni
Pe drum, am oprit in Ostuni, orasul alb din provincia Brindisi, pe care l-am admirat in poze cu mult inainte sa ajungem aici.
Vreau sa va spun din capul locului ca Ostuni a fost cel mai frumos loc vizitat de noi in aceasta excursie. Desi nu are nici casute sassi, nici casute trulli, are un farmec aparte, poate chiar prin simplitatea lui. Strazile inguste si pietruite au de o parte si de alta casute mici, albe, iar singura pata de culoare e reprezentata de hainele puse la uscat, care ofera aerului un miros suuuper placut!
Tot in Ostuni am gasit niste smochine delicioase!
Recomand o vizita in acest oras, cateva ore sunt suficiente pentru a surprinde frumusetea locului.
Polignano a Mare
In jurul pranzului am ajuns in Polignano a Mare. Ne-am pus costumele de baie pe noi in masina, si am pornit direct spre celebra plaja pietruita imprejmuita de stanci ( Lama Monachile ) . Peisajul e superb, iar plaja vazuta de sus este spectaculoasa!! Eu una nu am avut curajul sa intru prea mult in apa, pentru ca erau foarte multe pietre si erau si valuri destul de mari in ziua aia. Am intrat putin in pestera formata langa si am stat sa ma bronzez. Sa va aduceti un prosop pe care sa il puneti pe pietre, nu recomand sa stati pe sezlongurile din spate, pentru ca cea mai frumoasa atmosfera e pe plaja, cu toti localnicii!
Dupa plaja, am mers la cazare sa ne facem un dus si am plecat sa exploram si acest minunat orasel. Fix langa cazarea noastra am avut cel mai tare loc de mancat din toata excursia! Recomand cu drag acest loc! Se numeste “Pescaria” si este un fel de fastfood cu produse pe baza de peste si fructe de mare, dar servesc si produse vegetariene. Desi specialitatile lor sunt panini-urile cu peste, recomand sa incercati si mixul de fructe de mare crude ( contine creveti, calamari, saint jacques, stridii si midii ). Preturile sun foarte bune fata de multe locuri in care am mancat, iar totul este foarte prospat si delicios!!
Tot in Polignano a Mare vreau sa va recomand un loc hipsteresc pentru a bea un cocktail seara. Se numeste La Casa del Mojito si va imaginati ca aici servesc o multime de tipuri de Mojito, care, apropo, sunt si suuuuper bune! Sper sa reusiti sa va opriti dupa cateva.. desi e greu.
In rest, facut turul orasului si am admirat marea care lovea stancile noaptea, apoi ne-am retras.
EN: Day 4
Though we loved the beach in Porto Cesareo, we are a couple who needs to explore more. Therefore, we decided to go to a new beach destination- Polignano a Mare.
Ostuni
We stopped in Ostuni first, the white city in Brindisi province, which we’ve admired in the pictures before coming here.
I have to tell you that Ostuni was our favorite place during our trip. Though it doesn’t have trulli or sassi houses, it has its special charm, maybe even because of its simplicity. The narrow paved streets have on both sides little white homes, and the only color is from the clothes hung which give the air a fresh and floral smell!
We tried some delicious figs in Ostuni!
I recommend you not to skip this beautiful city, a few hours are enough to admire and visit it!
Polignano a Mare
We arrived in Polignano a Mare at noon. We put on our swimsuits in the car and went straight to the most famous beach nestled between two rocks – Lama Monachile. The view is amazing, and the beach seen from above is breathtaking!
I didn’t have the courage to swim because there were a lot of rocks and waves but I layed on the towel and got some tan. Bring your towel instead of using the sunbeds from the terrace, because the best atmosphere is near the beach with the locals!
After the beach we went to the accommodation to take a shower and went to explore the city. In front of the block we stayed in we had the best place to eat from our whole trip! I strongly recommend this place! It is called “ Pescaria “ and it’s like a fast-food with fish and seafood, but they also serve vegetarian dishes. Their specialty are the paninis, but you should also try the seafood mix ( shrimps, squids, saint Jacques, oysters and mussels)
The prices are really good for what they offer, everything is fresh and delicious!
I also want to tell you about a nice cocktail place. It’s called “ La Casa del Mojito “ amd they have a lot of different mojitos which are amazing! Good luck drinking only one!
Ostuni
Polignano a Mare
RO: Ziua 5
Dimineata am mers la o alta plaja din Polignano a mare, care ne-a placut foaarte mult! Este tot cu pietre, deci va recomand sa aveti incaltaminte speciala pentru a nu avea surprize cu aricii de mare, dar era foarte linistita, si era foarte putina lume. Am nimerit iar un loc unde se aduna localnicii, lucru care ne place:)
Din pacate am uitat numele si nu am reusit sa o gasesc pe internet, dar stiu ca era aproape de iesirea catre Bari.
Bari:
Dupa plaja am mers sa mai mancam o data la Pescaria si am pornit spre Bari. Am lasat masina la aeroport si ne-am indreptat apoi spre oras. Am petrecut restul zilei plimbandu-ne pe faleza si vizitand orasul la pas. Spre deosebire de celelalte locuri, Bari este foarte agitat si aglomerat, cum era si de asteptat. Un lucru de avut in minte este faptul ca traficul este haotic. Nimeni nu tine cont de regulile de circulatie- nici pietonii, nici soferii. Partea frumoasa a orasului este oricum cea pietonala, deci nu recomand sa conduceti in Bari. Nu pot sa zic ca m-a impresionat prea tare acest oras. Din punctul meu de vedere, nu i-as aloca mai mult de o zi.
EN: Day 5
In the morning we went to another beach in Polignano a Mare which we also enjoyed! It is also rocky so you should wear special shoes, but it was really quiet and there were a few people in the morning. We soon realized we had found another place where the locals gather, us probably being the only tourists there.
Unfortunately, I cannot remember the name of the beach and I couldn’t find it on google maps but I remember it was close to the Bari exit.
Bari:
After the beach we went to eat again at Pescaria and went to Bari. We left the rented car at the airport and then took the bus to the center. We spent the day visiting the city. Unlike the other places we’ve visited during our trip, Bari was really crowded and noisy. You should have in mind that the traffic is chaotic, so I wouldn’t recommend driving in Bari. I wouldn’t say that I was impressed by this city, I think a day it’s enough to visit it.
So far, this road trip in South of Italy was one of my favorite vacations, and I hope I convinced you why?
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