We would like on overnight stop on the train line between Rome and Lecce. Either of these towns would be convenient. I was thinking of Barletta as it is smaller, and Bari seems to have a port-city’s reputation for roughness/seediness. But Bari also offers nicer hotel and restaurant choices and an interesting old town. And maybe the reputation is undeserved, or outdated.
We will arrive in late afternoon in February (around 4 pm) so it will be dark soon, but we will have some time in the morning for an hour’s walk before catching the train onward to Lecce.
Which would you pick? I appreciate your thoughts.