Bari

Bari is the capital of the Apulia region of Italy. It's the mezzogiorno's (Italy's south) largest city after Naples, and a bustling commercial center and port. Understand Bari is the largest and most important city of Apulia and stands on the Adriatic coast. It's mostly famous for being one of the exit doors of Italy, where travellers leave on ferries for neighboring countries. The city authorities, however, have been trying to raise its tourism profile and awareness of Bari's old town, which has retained its ancient Medieval plan and contains many historic buildings and sites. The old town was the heart of pre-Roman and Roman Bari and it is now possible to find several hip bars and restaurants open "from dusk til dawn" in this once dark and unsafe zone. Get in By plane There are approximately 40 cheap flights into Bari (BRI) from different European airports. Taxi to downtown costs €25-30, but there are buses connecting the airport to central Bari and the train station. By train Check www.trenitalia.com for time tables and prices. By car You can get to Bari by A14 highway, which runs from Bologna to Taranto following the Adriatic coast. By bus You can use Onbus Company to travel from Sicily to Puglia. Touring buses connect Germany to Puglia. By boat Bari is the destination for ferries incoming from the Greek port of Patra and Igoumenitsa. If you are traveling on a Eurorail during the low season, the cost is €16, during the mid season it's €31. A normal ticket to Igoumenitsa is about €29 on the deck and in low - season. There are also ships to Bar and Kotor (Montenegro), Dubrovnik (Croatia) and to Durrës (Albania). Ferry operators are either Superfast Ferries, Blue Star Ferries, Azzurraline or Jadrolinija. An up-to-date site with international ferry schedules is here. Get around There are many public buses. A ticket costs 1€ (1,50€ if bought on board). See The ancient part of the city, called Bari Vecchia by locals, literally Old Bari, is a beautiful mediaeval neighborhood you should not miss. Take a stroll and get lost in the maze of Bari Vecchia and try not to miss the romanic Basilica of Saint Nicholas with its gold ceiling, its crypt and the magnificent cathedra of Bishop Elias. In the same square, also the Palazzo del Catapano and the Church of Saint Gregory are worth a visit. Even older (but later refurbished in baroque style) and equally interesting is the romanic Cathedral of Saint Sabino. Take a walk along the waterfront, on the top of the old city wallsand pass by the Fortino of Saint Antony, an old fort recently turned into a modern art gallery, and the former Monastery of Saint Scolastica (currently part of the University). The vast majority of the churches in Bari Vecchia are unfortunately closed to tourists. They are open on selected festivities, including Good Friday and the Solemnity of All Saints. A a small town 20 minutes out of Bari named Adelfia is worth a visit on patron's day. The patron saint of one of its quarters, Montrone, is Saint Trifone. Nov 9 is the start of a three day celebration. In the early evening of Nov 9, a giant beautiful balloon is released which signifies the start of the festival. On the 10th, the statue of San Trifone is brought out of the church and paraded around the town. Bands from all over Italy come and perform on the outdoor stage. Fireworks are displayed throughout the evening to the early morning. The different men's club compete on which club can have the biggest, loudest and spectacular display. Vendors surround the town with goods, food and gifts. Do The Saint of the city is Saint Nicholas and is celebrated by the Catholic Church on December 6. In Bari, several masses gather early in the morning (as early as 4am) on December 6. A huge crowd and lots of fast food stands fill the old town through the night. However, the city's main celebration of Saint Nicholas takes place from May 6 to May 8 with historical reconstructions, popular music and a two-day fireworks contest. Pilgrims come from all over the world. Learn Work Buy Pottery, bags, shoes, interesting (and underpriced) red wines, orecchiette hand made pasta (buy from Bari Vecchia), Taralli Cartoleria Favia Piazza Umberto I n2 +390805235941 wwwcartoleriafavia.it--> Fashion stationery (Mont Blanc, Parker, Aurora), bags, train/aero/car models. Eat Vini e Cucina, Via Roberto il Guiscardo, Bari. : an old and very informal restaurant in the old town. Traditional, non-posh cuisine. Simple four-course menu for about 15€.  edit Due Archi. : cheap and simple. Conceptionally very similar to Vini e Cucina.  edit Le Travi. : Same as Due Archi.  edit Steak House, via palo 75 Bitetto, ☎ 0809924502, [1]. American Steak house 12 km from the city of Bari.  edit Most restaurants and bars are located in the eastern part of central Bari, around the intersection of Corso Vittorio Emanuele II and Corso Cavour. Drink Sleep Bari suffers from not having a good selection of cheap accommodations. A few more affordable hostels in the area would allow more visitors to stay and enjoy this attractive city. Regardless, the budget options available all seem clean and modern if not a little overpriced comparedto the rest of Italy. Bed and breakfast F.G., Via palo 77, ☎ 0809924502, [2]. Bed and Breakfast BARI F.G. is a B&B where each guest is delighted by a clean, well-maintained large sized rooms, and friendly staff, delicious breakfast offerings, high-speed wireless internet access, in-room refrigerators, air condition, satellite t.v, and video players are delivered without additional cost. 30.  edit Budget If you are in Bari and you are looking for some cheap place to sleep (less than €25/night/person) it can be quite a problem. Santa Claus Hostel, 4 Arco San Pietro, Piazza San Pietro, 70122 Bari, Italia, [3]. €20.  edit BlaBlaBla Hotel, former known as Bari Belle Camere, and Cosy Rox, 40 Piazza Luigi di Savoia (Turn right out of the train station to travel east, walk two blocks and find the orange and grey building on the other side of the walk bridge), ☎ +39 392 303 2311. Cosy Rox are a couple of residences operated for overnight stays and short term rentals. To stay you will need to visit the main hostel at 40 Piazza Luigi di Savoia, from here you will be directed to the place where you will stay. The residence on Via Matteo Renato Imbrianni had private rooms, good atmosphere, clean, modern and warm with shared kitchen and bathroom, and free wifi . Francesco, the owner is super helpful and a welcoming host, say hi to his dog "Ox (short for Oxygen)" as well. €20/25 bed, €40/50 double room.  edit Magica, Via Gioacchino Murat (near the Normanno-Svevo castle). €20.  edit Mid-range Hotel Boston (Via Piccinni, 155). One block from Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, and ten minutes walk to Old Town. Rooms are spacious but fairly basic. Generous breakfast. There is a small supermarket across the street. €90 for a double. Splurge Hotel Terranobile Meta Resort (Hotel Terranobile Meta Resort), Via Bitritto 101. Spa resort few kilometers away from Bari, with wellness center and swimming pools.  edit Hotel Oriente Bari – Corso Cavour 32, 70122, Bari, Italy [4]. Telephone +39.080.5255100 • Fax +39.080.5255777. The Oriente Hotel is a four star accommodation located behind the famous Petruzzelli theatre, in the city centre of Bari, a few blocks away from the sea line; with 75 bedrooms divided in double classic, deluxe and suites, and with large public areas, internet connection, meeting and ball rooms and a panoramic terrace. The Hotel Oriente is also available for weddings and special occasions. Contact Stay safe Bari Vecchia is a beautiful neighborhood but because of the narrow, crowded streets and the presence of tourists, it is the preferred place for local pickpocketers. Cope Get out Nice towns to discover around Bari are Matera, Gravina, Martina Franca and Alberobello. Trani (with a truly impressive Cathedral), Molfetta, Giovinazzo and Polignano a Mare are closer to Bari and also worth a visit. There are many direct trains a day. Ticket to Matera or Alberobello is about €4 in one direction. This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!