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Wednesday Weekly
So we have just returned from a fantastic week in Puglia.
Flying direct from Bristol to Bari, a new easyJet route.
It was exactly what we both needed after a busy first term.
Day 1
Bari, Puglia, Matera
A full first day. Early flight out of Bristol to Bari. Super speedy through the airport and on a bus to the beautiful city of Matera, home for the first two days.
A full first day. Early flight out of Bristol to Bari. Super speedy through the airport and on a bus to the beautiful city of Matera, home for the first two days.
The view from our roof terrace.
As always, we share our travels over on our Instagram account @hap_pea_travels
loads more photos and info over there if you are interested.
Day 2
An art filled morning - Andrea Roggi sculptures and the Tower Art Museum
Exploring Matera
Witnessing a real life helicopter rescue in the gorge.
Day 3
A travel day from Matera to Bari, then onto Monopoli, via bus and 2 trains.
Our base for the remainder of the trip.
We stayed in a fabulous apartment. We had a roof terrace and a washing machine!! It was really beautifully presented, clean, lots of recommendations for places to eat etc. Booked via booking.com
Of course Jeff went for a swim in the sea at the earliest opportunity..
And I soaked up the lovely warm sunshine.
Day 4
We ventured to Polignano a Mare, just 5 minutes up the coast by train and only £1.15!
Polignano a Mare is known for its popular 'Lama Monochile beach', its old town, sea caves and the birth place of Italian singer Domenico Modugno.
Polignano a Mare is known for its popular 'Lama Monochile beach', its old town, sea caves and the birth place of Italian singer Domenico Modugno.
It's also where the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series takes place
'Lama Monochile beach'
Another swim for Jeff
Panzerotto Classico for lunch.
Puglia's version of Naples' deep-fried pizza!! €3 and delicious!
Day 5
Heavy rain was forecast, so we had to change our plans and headed to Ostuni, a historic hilltop town, famous for its whitewashed old town (La Città Bianca) and stunning sea views (on a clear sunny day)
It was straight off the train, onto a bus €2 which took you up to the base of the town.
It was straight off the train, onto a bus €2 which took you up to the base of the town.
Rain, rain and more rain.
We actually dodged the rain during our time in Ostuni.
It was whilst we were on the train heading back to Monopoli that the heavens opened,
So we sat the worst of it out in a cafe!
Day 6
The sunshine returned, so we headed to Bari
I always take 100's of photos everywhere I go. To encourage Jeff to take a few, we set ourselves the colour challenge. Jeff got blue 💙 I got yellow 💛 and just because I take loads of pics, I gave myself green too 💚 Jeff then went rogue and took pics of Italian men wearing blue 💙😍💙
You notice more details when given a focus 💙💛💚
Next up Strada delle Orecchiette, also known as Strada Arco Basso, Bari’s famous pasta street located in the historic old town.
This narrow alley is world-famous for the one simple reason: every day, women sit outside in the street making fresh orecchiette by hand. Often called “Bari’s pasta street” or “Orecchiette Street”. A street lined with wooden tables dusted with flour, pasta drying in the sun, and Nonnas shaping hundreds of orecchiette.
This narrow alley is world-famous for the one simple reason: every day, women sit outside in the street making fresh orecchiette by hand. Often called “Bari’s pasta street” or “Orecchiette Street”. A street lined with wooden tables dusted with flour, pasta drying in the sun, and Nonnas shaping hundreds of orecchiette.
And we were on a mission to find the one and only 'Nun's Tits' in Bari!!!
Tette delle monache” (literally “nun’s breasts”)
Tette delle monache” (literally “nun’s breasts”)
A famous, dome-shaped Apulian pastry made of feather-light sponge cake filled with chantilly or diplomat cream and dusted with powdered sugar....deeeeeelicious
A fun filled food day.
Day 7
We made the most of the blue skies and warm sunshine and spent our final day in Monopoli
We plan to return to Puglia again, so rather than this trip being a tick list of places to go, we made the most of the sunshine and enjoyed a relaxed 'nothing' day.
We've made use of the washing machine and our gorgeous roof terrace, as rain is forecast for home on our return.
We've made use of the washing machine and our gorgeous roof terrace, as rain is forecast for home on our return.
Beautiful Monopoli
Last swim in the sea of 2026 for Jeff
Another colour challenge.
Day 8
A travel day to Bari Aeroporto, then home!
Treated to a beautiful sky as we set off for the train station, en route to the airport
A fabulous week in Puglia, returning home, well rested, relaxed and recharged.
Arrivederci, until next time.
We got back to Bristol and it was tipping it down.
Like absolutely pouring!
Today we have attempted to do the washing and get it out on the line.
It was too wet to do much, although we picked a few figs.
It's definitely coming to the end now, possibly the last pickings.
We still have a week of half term left. We have a couple of things in the diary but also days with nothing planned. A slow, relaxed, chill week at home.
