Hi Drewster!
Haven't been to Bari, but know someone who lives close by there & has shown photos/tourist literature, etc and it looks gorgeous. Also there have been a few of those 'place in the sun' TV programmes from that area and they do emphasize that it is still relatively undiscovered, but becoming less so. I think now would be a great time to get there before the secret's out!
I'm sure there are loads of tourist sites to explore on the internet which should give you a good idea. Lecce is also meant to be a lovely town. Hope this info is of some help! Us Belfast posters have to stick together!!

Ta for that.

Yeah, we saw it on those programmes too, which put it in our heads a while ago. The main problem we thought of was transport around the area, as southern Italy's pretty much a different country compared to the north.

Also, I'm sure it couldn't be as bad as Naples, but I'm hoping for reassurance from someone, as I wouldn't want to visit a place like that again.

I spent 6 hours there from a cruise, but the town was shut as Monday. We wandered round the town - found a locals bar for a coffee and a few shops for supplies. The coastal road looked nice but afraid didnt see anything more of Bari.

There was a lot of grafitti, but much quieter than Naples - went there for a day last year and found it a scary place! dirty, lots of crime - unreal driving!

Having said that Pompeii more than made up for that! Fantastic place.

There are photos from Bari in the cruise photo section - 3rd July05 date!

Alison

Thanks, I'll have a look at them.

Judging by the responses to this thread, not many HTers have been to Bari.

We went to Bari (just south in Mola di Bari actually) this august and absolutely loved it.

The old Town will keep you occupied for a day - Cathedral, Basilica of Saint Nicholas (yes, the old bloke with the White beard is buried here - just dont tell your 5 year old daughter that this is where father Christmas is buried), the castle etc.

The new town (adjacent) is large and full of all kind of shopping from designer to cheap market stuff.

Not the most pretty of cities but definitely worth a visit.

Around and about is the best thing - we hired a car for the two weeks (no near misses but some of the things you see do make you cringe - toddlers standing on the front of mopeds - without helmets!)

Nearby you have many historical places including Alberello (Trulli houses), Castellano de Grotte, Lecce (florence of the South - absolutely beautiful) Castel Del Monte etc. For families, Fasanoland about 50ks south is a theme park and safari park in one but much cheaper than elsewhere.

Not the best area for miles of sweeping sands but if thats what you want there is Cozze down the road or many "lidos" - private beaches which you pay a small fee to use.

We stayed in a small village about 20k south of Bari and would heartily recommend it to everyone - in two weeks we met one other english speaker who was there visiting in-laws.

I agree with the last poster. The old part of Bari is fascinating and the surrounding towns, both those inland and on the coast are full of interest. There are seafood restuarants, historic town centres, Norman and renaissance architecture AND beaches. It's a popular area for Italians on holiday, but not very well known to foreigners. There is supposed to be some crime in Bari but it's reputation is nothing like that of Naples. A good area to speak Italian in.