If you know me, you know I adore Italy. It is definitely the only country where I like to go back every now and then. As per my likening that would be at least once a year. Looking back on the cities we have visited, it is hard to pick my favorite as they all have something special that pictures them, whether that be architecture, ancient monuments or food.

However in that abundance of beauty there is one region that I would like to go back. Now.

Puglia.

This southern region at the heel of Italys boot is known for its whitewashed hill towns, orrecchiete type of pasta and kilometers of Mediterranean coastline resembling tropical Maldives.

Clear pristine water, turquoise color and white sand were one of the main reasons why I was pushing for a holiday in Puglia. Once we found a the cheapest way to reach Bari, I made a plan of exploring and booked a fantastic sea view apartment in Gallipoli. The adventure was about to begin, with the flight from Oslo to Bari via Krakow.

We scouted the bets fare tickets for two separate or non alliance flight companies, not wise to use, because in case one changes the departure this can affect the other flight, but they don’t have the responsibility to protect their passengers, so you are basically on your own. We learned that the hard way.

But since we had definitely one evening in Krakow the chances for a mess up were acceptable or minimal.

Flying early with Ryan air from mild and chily Krakow to hot and boiling Bari was the start of one of the best summer as a family of three.

BARI

Bari was our stop over location before heading to the other side of the region, so I don’t have a lot of to say about it, except that was darn boiling and very tasty.

Located on the Adricatic Sea, Bari is the capital of Puglia region.

Being a port and university city it is one of the most important economic centers of mainland southern Italy.

Population of something more than 300 000 doubles up during the summer season, when thousand of tourists from both Italy and abroad visits Puglia for holidays.

We spend first 2 weeks in July in the region just before the rest of the world followed in our steps, so we avoided huge crowds both at the airport and the roads.

Bari is definitely famous for its narrow streets and maze like old town, Barivecchia, situated between two harbors.

One of this streets, called Strada delle Orecchiette, where nonne of Bari make their pasta by hand and display them on out on tables in the streets beside their houses. Courious tourists and locals stop to admire this craft but also to purchase some local products.

Our intention was, not just to eat orrecchiette for the next two weeks, but also by some for the kitchen in Gallipoli and back in Oslo. One kilogram of home made pasta from Bari safely arrived back home together with some other products like cheese, sausages and pickled greens. Proper souvenirs from the South.

After wandering the streets of Bari, waiting for the restaurants to open, we had early lunch, and ice cream before sitting in a car and driving two hours south direction Gallipoli, our main destination.

GALLIPOLI

For almost 2 full weeks Gallipoli was our home base.

We rented a fantastic, spacious apartment on Lungomare, with a big balcony and a gorgeous view overlooking the old town and deep blue Ionian Sea.

The town, counting around 20 000 inhabitants sit at the west coast of the Salento Penninsula and it is a fantastic combination of an old city and a modern vibrant version.

Our apartment located in the new part, was just 10 minutes’ walk to the city center and 15 minutes walk to the old part of the city that is bustling with tourists as majority of souvenir shops are located in that part. Supermarket and restaurants on one side, the beach and restaurant on the other side. Perfect.

The free beach Spiaggia della Purità the crown of the old part of the city. Nestled bellow the tall city walls, this 250 meters long beach doesn’t offer shade during the day but it offers a clear pristine turquoise warm sea water.

For the first few days we insisted on staying the whole day at the beach, with the little one sleeping in the wagon trolley but that proved to be exhausting for all of us. The heat was unbearable. So we would get up early, and soak up the sun before noon, then hit home, have lunch and a afternoon nap (the boys are very dedicated to that sport activity).

In the late afternoon we would then go to the beach again, enjoying the sea until the sun would dip under horizon.

Sometimes we would grab something to eat from a nearby restaurant, having our supper on the beach, enjoying sunset and loud music from the guy selling juices and ice cream on top of the walls.

When the dark would cover the city and the restaurants would open its door for an evening seating, we would slowly drag ourselves towards home, with a mandatory stop at the children playground.

Total opposite of where we live, where one can enjoy the playground throughout of the day during the summer, the playgrounds in Gallipoli would be sadly empty until the sun dusk. The heat was so strong that would boil everything leaving not much to play with. But than, 10pm when my soul would be on its way to bed, the local kids and their parents would finally occupy benches at the playground shouting at the kids and asking them what they want for dinner. At 10pm. 😊 What a life style!

…to be continued….