Friday, February 25, 2011

Bari - Puglia - Italy

Bari centre




This was certainly not the first time I visited Italy. It might be even a fiftieth time, but the very first time in the South. I've finally discovered a new little piece of Italy. And I am very thrilled to share my collected information. I stayed in Bari just for 4 days, but in such a short time I managed to make much out of it.


Ryanair

What a fantastic company that is! For a very reasonable amount, it is possible to fly anywhere within Europe. For those with travel wishes in Europe, I recommend to check the website of Ryanair regularly. Sometimes the prices of the flights are even lower than low.

Place to stay: Casa Pimpolini
B&B wall decoration

If you happen to be looking for a hotel in Bari, then stop it immediately. I know a place that surpasses everything. It is a centrally located B&B in a warmly decorated apartment. And the owner is the sweetest signora I've ever met.
The place is clean, warm, light, cozy and the breakfasts are delicious with homemade cakes and fruit salads. Highly recommended!!
On www.bed-and-breakfast.it you can see the pictures of the interior. And via diria50@alice.it you can contact the owner.

B&B Balcony

Bari and Alberobello
Old town of Bari

Bari is a small town. Everything is nearby and accessible on foot. Public transport is not necessary at all. To orientate in Bari is very easy and just walking around is very pleasant. You’ll find loads of shops with clothes, shoes, food and Italian design.
Old Town, however, is a maze with authentic homes and churches. Watch out that nobody throws something at your head. Frequently things or water are falling down. While walking in the old town I get a flashback to India, but here it is all a lot calmer. Occasionally there is an old local person or a group of tourists that past.
Basilica di San Nicola

One of the major attractions of the old town is Basilica di San Nicola. A church with a mix of several styles like Romanesque, Arabic, Byzantine and Classical. For art history lovers, there are many interesting things to discover. I decided to walk around without having to read a lot about it. Just relax!.

Trulli in Alberobello

Not far from Bari is Alberobello, a big favorite among the tourists. This is a small town known for it’s strange circular buildings with conical roofs: Trulli. Almost each trullo is a shop, if not it’s a restaurant. February is clearly not a high season, which I liked, otherwise it must surely be a too crowded tourist hell. Now you can go hiking and enjoy the trulli instead of being harassed by a huge number of useless souvenirs.




Alberobello is unfortunately the only place I've seen outside Bari. Nearby, there is much more to discover. Places like Ostuni, Trani and Lecce are maybe even more beautiful. That would be the reason to ever get back to Puglia.

Eat & Drinks



In Bari nobody will starve. There are lots of places where you can enjoy food and drinks. For the vegetarians among us there is a wide range of delicious dishes too. Order some antipasti and get a table full of delicious snacks of cheese, mushrooms and vegetables. Then choose from a unique and extensive selection of pizzas. Don’t forget to order the dolci and finish your dinner with a glass of limoncello. Hmmm… This is how the dolce vita feels like.
I have two addresses that are very worthwhile.
Altri Temi Pizzeria – Via A. Gimma, 184 – 70123 Bari

La Tana Pizzeria – Via Amendola, 29 – Bari

Delicious Panna Cotta in La Tana Pizzeria

Both are very popular by locals. Without reservation, you will have to wait for your table in a row outside. But waiting is absolutely worth it.

Bari is definitely not lacking on fun bars. There are many of them. In winter it is even possible to sit outside. Almost all the terraces have a heating.
We’ve spent a lot of time in Matisse bar on Piazza del Ferrarese. It’s a small and cozy bar with tasty drinks and snacks.
And just outside the Piazza Mercantile is also a lovely bar named Chat Noir.

Shopping

Shopping in Bari is possible on almost each street.
Corso Cavour street is full of shops and gelatti cafes.
Via Sparano da Bari is the main shopping street with shops as Zara, H&M, Intimissimi an so on.
And for the lovers of vintage I found a cute little shop with 60’s, 70’s and 80’s stuff on the Via Melo da Bari street.

Vintage store

The locals have told me that Bari is much more pleasant during the summer. But despite that, I’ve enjoyed. It was relaxed and quiet. People were polite and very friendly.
Unfortunately the Dolce Vita is over now. But luckily I have something nice in the prospect. ;)


And me:
Background - Bari Old Town
Wearing: Vintage faux fur coat, Zara turtleneck sweater, Zara trousers, Gucci shoes, Longchamp bag.


Wednesday, February 23, 2011

How should I pack for a trip of four days?



Well, that is very easy!


-To begin with, I need 4 outfits: 3 casual and 1 going out. That includes jeans, one pair of trousers, a skirt and 4 tops or sweaters (depends on the weather conditions). That includes soks and underwear. 
-Then, I always need at least 2 pair of shoes. Heels for going out and flats for sightseeing. 
-Sleepwear and flipflops. 
-Hair straightener and toothbrush.
-Jewelry.
-Something to read: magazine, travelguide and a book.
-And the worst part of packing: the liquids. Normally, no poblem. But with only a handluggage, it seems impossible. Make up and other beauty products must not exceed 100 ml. And I have to put it all in a small transparent bag.
Will this stupid rule remain forever?



It looks like I'm done packing. And again I have lack of space. 




Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Fall of Giants by Ken Follett



Thank you Mr. Follett for giving me withdrawal symptoms for the third time in a row!

I must say that I'm not really a fan of popular bestsellers. But occasionally there's nothing like a predictable, historical and epic drama. Despite all kitsch you can’t lay this book aside just for a moment. No book is as catchy as Follett’s novels. Oh! I love it!
I finished this book a couple of days ago, but the characters of Fall Of Giants still haunting me. And I just can’t let them go either.

Mr. Follett, please don’t let me wait too long for rest of this trilogy. I need to know how Ethel, Maud, Grigory, the rest and not to forget their descendants will end up.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

The Good Times




What were your New Year resolutions?

According to the Dutch top 10 plans, this year includes finance, order in life, stop smoking, lose weight and enjoying life. As we already know those good intentions have no sense at all. We forget them immediately after the New Years Eve celebration and continue to live with our old habits.

Yet it is also simply not easy to find motivation and inspiration for a new lifestyle in the midst of winter. Instead of stick to the date we should remember our wishes and plans and try to achieve them when the time is right.

For me it's time! And I’m going to start a blog. Something I have wanted to start with for a while now.

The cold is over, the days are longer, the snowdrops and crocuses are blooming. Spring is coming! Despite the incessant Dutch rain seasons I feel good and inspired again. And all I can think of is the upcoming good times: traveling, reading new books, going to the cinema, good food, shopping and so on. Regardless of the bad weather, bad news or other negative impulses I'll just continue to enjoy my life.

Welcome to my lifestyle, readers.

Sincerely yours.

Alexandra

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