EN: Main attractions in Polignano a Mare – For sure the pictures speak for themselves, but here are some highlights of what you can visit in Polignano a Mare:

1. Cala Porto (also known as Lama Monachile). It is one of the most photographed beaches on the coast. A little small white pebbles beach and crystal clear waters. Surrounded by cliffs with houses build right up to the edge, form a bay.

RO: Principalele atractii din Polignano a Mare – Cu siguranta imaginile vorbesc de la sine, dar iata cateva locuri pe care le poti vizita in Polignano a Mare:

1. Cala Porto (cunoscut si sub numele de Lama Monachile). Este una dintre cele mai fotografiate plaje de pe costa. Are o micuta plaja acorperita cu pietricele albe si apa curata ca lacrima. Stancile de jur imprejur, cu cladiri construite chiar pana in margini, formeaza un mic golfulet.

EN: You have an amazing view of this small  bay from the old Roman bridge near by.

RO: In apropierea micutului golf este un vechi pod roman, de pe care ai o priveliste incredibila.

EN: 2. Statue of Domenico Modugno

Maybe the name of the artist is not very familiar, but the song “Nel blu dipinto di blu – Volare” for sure is. Domenico Modugno was a famous Italian singer, songwriter, actor, guitarist, and even a member of the Italian Parliament, born in Polignano. The statue has a special something that makes you sing instantly Vooolare 😉

RO: 2. Statuia lui Domenico Modugno

Poate numele artistului nu va spune nimic, dar cantecul “Nel blu dipinto di blu – Volare” sigur va suna cunoscut. Domenico Modugno a fost un faimos artist italian, cantaret, compozitor, actor, chitarist si chiar membru al Parlamentului italian, nascut in Polignano. Statuia are ceva special, care te face instantaneu sa canti Vooolare 😉

EN: 3. Grotta Palazzese, the famous cave restaurant

For the gourmets among you looking for an amazing dining experience you could try Grotta Palazzese. Hidden within the cliffs, the restaurant is openend since the 1700s and has a spectacular terrace overlooking the Adriatic Sea. But is not for those on budget, so I had an octopus burger at a seafood restaurant Pescaria.

RO: 3. Grotta Palazzese, faimosul restaurant in grota 

Pentru cei gurnamzi, in cautarea unei experiente unice puteti incerca Grotta Palazzese. Ascuns intre stanci, restaurantul este deschis din anii 1700 si are o terasa senzationala cu vedere unica spre marea Adriatica. Dar nu este pentru cei care calatoresc low cost, asa ca eu am ales un burger cu caracatita la un restaurant cu fructe de mare, Pescaria.

EN: 4. Centro Storico Polignano a Mare

Stunningly beautiful, just stroll and explore the streets, walls, doors and windows of Polignano’s centro storico, they are pure poetry.

RO: 4. Centrul istoric Polignano a Mare

Uluitor si cuceritor. Trebuie doar sa te plimbi, sa descoperi stradutele, peretii, fiecare usa si fereastra din centrul vechi, sunt pura poezie.

EN: My Facebook reminded me that in 2014 I was in Bari, Italy. Since then I’ve been one more time in 2018, and I’m sure that I will travel there again in the near future…. maybe this year. That’s how much I loved it!

So, if you are planning a little escape in Italy, do consider Bari, you won’t regret it. Besides that amazing food, landscapes, and history, you will meet amazing and friendly people.

RO: Facebook mi-a amintit ca in 2014 eram in Bari, Italia. De atunci, am mai fost in 2018 si sunt convinsa ca voi ajunge din nou in viitorul apropiat… poate chiar anul acesta. M-a cucerit!

Asa ca, daca iti planuiesti o mica escapada, ia in considerare Bari si nu vei regreta. Pe langa mancarea delicioasa, peisaje frumoase si multa istorie, vei cunoaste oameni minunati.

EN: How to get to Bari from Bucharest?

Bari is a port city on the Adriatic Sea, the second largest city of Southern Italy and the capital of Apulia (or Puglia) region.  From Bucharest you have direct flights, low cost (ie. Wizzair) or business/first class.

Once you landed at Bari Karol Wojtyla International Airport you have direct bus to the central station in Bari, Stazione Bari Centrale (ticket 4 euro). From the central station you are at a 15 – 20 min walking distance from many accommodation options, look on Booking.com. I recommend this area because you will be very close to the main areas you can visit, like the gorgeous Old Town, some of the best beaches or the port.

RO: Cum ajungi din Bucuresti in Bari?

Bari este un oras-port la Marea Adriatica, al doilea cel mai mare oras din Sudul Italiei si capitala regiunii Apulia (sau Puglia). Din Bucuresti ai zboruri directe, low cost (ex. Wizzair) sau business/first class.

O data ce ai aterizat pe aeroportul international Bari Karol Wojtyla ai la dispozitie autobuz pana la gara centrala din Bari, Stazione Bari Centrale (bilet 4 euro). De la gara, la distanta de 15 – 20 de minute de mers pe jos ai multe optiuni pentru cazare, cauta pe Booking.com. Iti recomand sa alegi aceasta zona, pentru ca esti foarte aproape de principalele obiective turistice, precum minunatul oras vechi, plaje si portul.

EN: What to visit in Bari?

Bari Vecchio, the amazing Old Town will give you the feeling of stepping back in time and wander through the old amazing streets. It is a labyrinth of twisting alleys, cobbled streets with small stores and piazzas. Within the thick stone walls you’ll find churches, a cathedral and the Basilica di San Nicola, a centerpiece of Bari Vecchio.

RO: Ce poti vizita in Bari?

Bari Vecchio, centrul vechi al orasului iti da senzatia ca ai calatorit in trecut si te plimbi pe vechile strazi, asa cum erau de demult. Intri intr-un labirint cu alei stramte, pietruite, cu mici magazine si pizzerii. Printre stradutele inguste vei descoperi bisericute, o catedrala si Basilica di San Nicola, una dintre piesele centrale ale Bari Vecchio.

EN: Have a cappuccino in Piazza del Ferrarese, one of the access points to the Old Town with a view to the port, or maybe have a delicouse ice cream in Piazza Mercantile, whose abundant cafes and restaurants are popular local meeting places.

RO: Stai la un cappuccino in Piazza del Ferrarese, una dintre zonele de acces in orasul vechi cu vedere la port sau rasfata-te cu o inghetata in Piazza Mercantile, care abunda de cafenele si restaurante, locul in care localnicii si nu numai isi dau intalnire.

EN: Go look for a prince or princess in Svevo Castle, an important landmark of the historic center, you can find there a small museum and changing special exhibits.

RO: Poti cauta un print sau o printesa in Svevo Castle, un punct important din centrul istoric, in incinta caruia vei descoperi un micut muzeu si expozitii speciale.

EN: Walk along the Lungomare, the seaside promenade between the walls of the Old Town and the sea. It’s a good place to stroll in the evening and see the sunset.

RO: Iesi la plimbare de-a lungul Lungomare, zona de promenada intre peretii orasului vechi si mare. Un loc deosebit in care te poti plimba seara pentru a prinde apusul.

EN: The Old Town is still very much lived in, so you can have a sneak pick inside the windows to have a glance of people lifes. In front of the windows you can often see orecchiette – Pugliese pasta shaped like small ears. But, if we talk about food, you have to try buratta, a fresh cow milk cheese made from mozzarella and cream. You can find the best at La Uascezze 😉

For those of you looking for shopping you can find all the major brands in the modern area of the city, called “quarters”. It is right before entering the old city, you can not miss it.

RO: Orasul vechi este inca plin de viata si locuit, ai posibilitatea de a trage cu ochiul in casele localnicilor. In fata ferestrelor vei vedea adesea tavi cu orecchiette – paste puglieze in forma de ureche. Dar, daca am adus vorba despre mancare, trebuie sa incerci buratta, o branza proaspata din lapte de vaca facuta din mozzarella si smantana. Cea mai buna o gasesti la La Uascezze 😉

Pentru cei pasionati de shopping, aveti toate brandurile mari in partea moderna a orasului, numita “quarters”. Treci prin aceasta zona chiar inainte de a intra in orasul veche.

EN: HINT – Get a tour with bikes: it will take you through the streets of the Old Town and into local neighborhoods that tourists rarely see. Along with visiting the major sights, you will have different stops to taste local goodies as you learn more about Bari’s history and culture. I recommend Velo Service you will find them near Piazza Mercantile

RO: PONT – Ia-ti un tur cu bicicleta: te vei plimba pe stradutele din centru vechi si in cartiere in care turistii nu ajung in mod obisnuit. Pe langa vizitatul celor mai importante atractii, vei avea diverse opriri in care vei putea degusta bunatati locale, pe masura ce vei invata mai multe despre istoria si cultura din Bari. Recomand Velo Service , aproape de Piazza Mercantile.