Infoneeded on Bari - what to do and see?

[Queenzena]

Going on Voyager of the Seas in late June. It's a 7-day Adriatic Sea cruise, a new route for RCL. I'm interested in the port of Bari, in Puglia region. What are the attractions? Any private tours, should we use RCL excursions, or is this a "do-it-yourself" port? Any info greatly appreciated!

[euro cruiser]

Whether or not Bari is a DIY port depends on what you want to see and do, and how adverturous you are.

 

The city of Bari has a lovely old town area within walking distance of the port (although there are shuttles available, as well as taxis).

 

If you want to move beyond the city, either a car service or renting a car and driving yourself will be necessary. Trains in Italy are great if you are going primarily north and/or south; east/west is a challenge.

 

Two of the most visited spots within an hour or so of Bari are Alberobello, for the truli, and Matera, for the sassi. Both are well worth the time.

[woodofpine]

You can walk into the old town Barivecchia from the cruise ship pier. We visited end March. Old town Bari is a genuine Italian port side ville - interesting, ancient, not glamorous. We were there on Palm Sunday, families were drying pasta on screens in the alleyways. There is the Basillica di San Nicholo (Saint Nicholas) where they keep the remains of Santa Claus (yes Virginia - he died 1,000+ years ago; but the folks in Bari spirited away his remain from Myra, Turkey). It is a pilgrimage place and a very nice church. There is the local cathedral also (San Sabino) which is historic but with a fairly contemporary interior. There is a cute - cheap- little shopping street that runs between the churches and the local old fortress. The town has a nice elevated promenade running along the old walls on the sea front and some decent restaurants toward the rear of the old town near where it unfolds into the newer city.

 

The towns that are recommended for excursions, esp. Matera, we'd do if we ever get back there again. But if you aren't hyper about excursioning out that day, Bari is an interesting enough diversion (we visited off an MSC ship where we only had 5-6 hour in port though). With a full day, you could probably make a combination of visits.