Alberobello, Italy – Truly, Trulli Odd

Before I went to Alberobello, I had never heard of a Trullo house and I must say I find them rather odd. To me, they just appear as though they are a bit small and perhaps uncomfortable inside. But I guess it’s what you get used to in life.

How To Get There

From Bari the easiest way to get there is by the TrennItalia website, application or buying a ticket at the station. The bus arrives in front of the DOK supermarket on the back side of the train station, so from town you will have to use the underground train station passage to get to the bus stop, it is across the street of Via Giuseppe Capruzzi. The cost is minimal, 2€ per person each way. You may hear them referred to as the TrulliBus, but if you ask anyone locally they will be confused by your question. So use the destination name of Alberobello and there will not be any confusion.

Bus from Bari to Alberobello – Alberobello, Italy

Bus ride – Truli buildings – Alberobello, Italy

It arrives in Alberobello at that city’s train station and it is about a fifteen to twenty minute walk to the houses.

Alberobello

When one first sees a Trullo house one’s first impression might be that it is a rather strange place to live. However, there are other precedents in other cultures. Alberobello contains many such examples of these houses, now converted toward the tourists industry.

Monumento Dei Caduti in Guerre – Alberobello, Italy

Fountain – Piazza Giangirolamo II – Alberobello, Italy

Stairs with Truli house view – Alberobello, Italy

The Trullo House

Initially developed by farmers and herders as a temporary place to stay while performing their tasks. However, once learned that they could be used as a tax dodge, the Italians in the area converted them to more permanent residential building, while forgoing the need to pay their taxes.

Patti – Via Monte San Marco – Alberobello, Italy

Via Monte San Michelle – Alberobello, Italy

Chiesa Parrocchiale di Sant’Antonio da Padova – Chiesa a Trullo – Alberobello, Italy

Truly an authentic Truli home – Alberobello, Italy

Another authentic Truli home – Alberobello, Italy

Al Pozzo Illuminato shop – Alberobello, Italy

Restaurants

During the off season there are limited restaurants for lunch, so plan accordingly. However, there are a few that open all year.

Terra Mossa Ristorante Pizzeria

The Terra Mossa Ristorante Pizzeria was our second pick, but we happen to go there because it opened a half an hour earlier than our original pick.

Ristorante Terra Mossa – Entrance – Alberobello, Italy

Ristorante Terra Mossa – Inside – Alberobello, Italy

Located on Via Indipendenza, 4, it is a totally modern establishment and able to handle large crowds and tour groups. There were two visiting while we were eating and we did not experience any change in our service. The food is very good and they have English speakers, due to their location in a tourist area. It is prices slightly on the high side, but if you don’t go nuts two people can eat a fair lunch for around 40€.

Ristorante Terra Mossa – Patti’s Frittura di Calamari e Gamberi – Alberobello, Italy

Ristorante Terra Mossa – Erick’s Maritati Al Ragu – Alberobello, Italy

Ristorante Terra Mossa – Erick’s Insalata Mista and Fritta Patate – Alberobello, Italy

1 February, 2025

Polignano A Mare, Italy – Seaside Perch

Polignano A Mare, Italy – A Seaside Perch

The small seaside town of Polignano A Mare is perched upon cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea. It is believed to be the ancient Greek town of Neapolis, or new city, but this has never been confirmed by archaeological research.

The town is a five minute train ride from Monopoli and about thirty minutes away from Bari to the north. A variety of trains run rather often, with the regional (R) trains taking a bit longer to reach their destinations. We always try to use the regional fast (RV) trains when we are able.

Limestone cliffs – Polignano A Mare, Italy

The draw for this ancient town and its historic center are the grottos and cliffs that line the seaward side of the town. Noted for cliff diving and other amusements during the summer months, it becomes a mecca when the weather turns warmer.

Grotta Azzurra Monachile

The Grotta Azzurra Monachile is one of the more famous grottos in the town and the easiest to reach. Once you have navigated the narrow streets toward the sea, it can be found on the norther edge facing Bari.

Other Sights

We did not spend a lot time in this town, the historic district just does not offer much, especially during the off-season. In fact, we did not find many cafes or bars that were open, in the event you were thirsty and needed a drink. So, if you come in the off-season, prepare appropriately.

Street outside train station – Polignano A Mare, Italy

Modern town area – Polignano A Mare, Italy

Piazza Aldo Maro – Polignano A Mare, Italy

Decorated for Christmas – Polignano A Mare, Italy

Beautiful stone building – Polignano A Mare, Italy

Narrow streets – Polignano A Mare, Italy

Typical residence – Polignano A Mare, Italy

Viale delle Rimembranze – Polignano A Mare, Italy

This town is another example of one I would not put high on my list. If you have the time, or you specifically are looking for a summer seaside place to stay, then this must fit the bill. Otherwise, I would rank it low on my places to see.

1 February, 20251 February, 2025

Monopoli, Italy – No Park Place

Monopoli, Italy – Not Park Place nor Marvin Gardens

If you are looking for something to do and have a free day to explore, then you might consider Monopoli, Italy. Located about forty minutes by train south of Bari, Monopoli is a true workers town, there is no fluff here.

Monopoli Train Station – Monopoli, Italy

Narrow streets in the city – Monopoli, Italy

Typical residential streets in the city – Monopoli, Italy

Buttresses against houses – Monopoli, Italy

Patti where streets diverge – Monopoli, Italy

Pescaturismo

The city has a basic port and does conduct fishing and fishing tours or fish tourism (pescaturismo or Fatti piu là), during the spring and summer months, on simple craft that you can reserve. I am not sure of the details, but if you are into catching your own food, this may be something to investigate. In any case, their boats are a bright blue and easy to see in the harbor.

Churches

Probably one of the most frequent ancient building to see in Monopoli, perhaps like any other Italian city, is the church, cathedral or basilica. In Monopoli they are all around. Since there is not much else to see in this quaint little city, looking at churches may pass the time.

Chiesetta di San Giovanni secolo XVIII – Monopoli, Italy

Chiesa Rettoria di S. Maria Amalfitana – Monopoli, Italy

Monastery San Martino Sec. XVII Monopoli – Monopoli, Italy

Chiesa Rettoria Sant’Angelo – Monopoli, Italy

Chiesa di Santa Teresa – Monopoli, Italy

Monuments And Piazzas

There are few monuments and piazzas in this town. The piazzas that we found, were either squeezed in somewhere or rather elongated and looked more like a road than a square.

Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi – Monopoli, Italy

However, in the new part of town, there is one large piazza that works instead of all the ones lacking in the old quarter, that is Piazza Vittoria Emanuele II.

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II – Monopoli, Italy

Restaurants

There is not much to offer, especially during the winter seasons. There are frankly no restaurants in the old city open, so you will have to try your luck during off times in the newer sections of the city.

Michelangelo – L’arte del gusto

For lunch we ate here. Nothing extravagant, just a simple salad and the daily pasta. We were able to sit outside on the corner and watch the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele and enjoy our meal.