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Bari and surrounding area

Posted by on

I can't seem to find a search feature for the forums so apologies if this question has been answered in a prior post...

I'd like to ask the group about the safety of traveling alone to Bari for three days (Saturday arrival, Tuesday departure). I intend to take a day trip to Matera and another day trip to Alberobello. I'm a seasoned traveler, know some basic Italian, but have not been to Southern Italy before. I would take a train from the airport to main train station, then walk to an inexpensive hotel in the town center with a carry on luggage with wheels.

Also, can someone confirm my research that there are no trains running on Sunday in July to either of these towns? If not, would a coach bus be a reasonable alternative? I would leave around 8am and return early evening, assuming each destination has enough to see and do for the entire day ;-)

Would a beach destination be possible instead of one of the day trips? Are the beaches in walking distance of the town center? If not, is there public transportation to any of them?

Please feel free to comment on any aspect of the proprosed itinerary, but I'm mostly interested in the safety factor.

Thanks in advance!

Posted by
365 posts

Ray,
I traveled this area ladt year and never felt unsafe. There are trains on Sunday but limited. Alberobello is very small and can be seen in half a day.
Lorieann

Posted by
323 posts

Whatever you do don't miss Matera. We spent three nights there and had one of the most memorable times of our two month trip. It is not like anything else we ever saw, before or since. We are a couple in our 70's and we never felt unsafe at any time there. We got lost a couple of times, but never unsafe.

Posted by
11613 posts

It's easier to get a train on Sunday than a bus. Matera is one of my favorite places, I go back every year. You should plan on at least one night in Matera, you will understand why once you do it.

There are beautiful beaches but with three nights, you will have to choose beach or no beach. I would skip the beach and spend more time in Bari, Alberobello, or Matera. One of the smaller coastal cities might work (Trani?), Beaches will be very crowded in July.

Posted by
1773 posts

Both Alberobello and Matera are serviced by non-Trenitalia local lines running both trains and buses whose service is mainly geared to commuters. Be sure to check timetables carefully before leaving. At present both lines do not run trains on Sunday, only buses .

Alberobello is on Ferrovie Sud Est.
Matera is on Ferrovie Appulo Lucane.

Posted by
17 posts

Thanks folks, went to Matera today, spent half a day there due to the brutal heat. Train ride was fine, literally olive trees the entire 90 minutes.

Off to il Rustico for dinner!
Ciao

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