Puglia - Bari in April - Monopoli

Wednesday is our last full day in Bari and we have some food to finish up so in the morning we skip the market and go for a last stroll around the historical centre and along the promenade. Impossible to resist the temptation of a second breakfast at Martinucci of capuccinos and warm pasticciotto, it's also a lot quieter late morning.

After lunch about half an hour by train takes us to Monopoli, the fourth of our coastal town destinations from Bari. Perhaps because we know it's the last day of our week in Bari Monopoli seems a particularly pretty and sunny town. We arrive down at the old harbour with the houses of the historical centre almost dipping into the water, 

small blue boats lined up and an arch which is an irresistible opportunity for photos. The historical centre of Monopoli is quite large, clean, narrow streets so mostly pedestrian, delightful to wander around through the whitewashed buildings with flowers, 

interesting corners and splendid views of the azure sea. We do it justice, first keeping as much as possible along the walls by the sea as far as Cala Porto Bianco, where we stop for coffee, and even a little way beyond and then back through the centre up and down,

 with a visit to the Concattedrale with its fine facade. The coast also starts to be interesting, low rocks, the occasional little sandy bay, transparent water 

and the sun today is finally warming and brings not only spring but thoughts of summer.

We reluctantly head back to the station and the train for Bari, the next day our flight is mid-morning but by getting up early we manage a last Pasticciotto at Martinucci before catching the rather late bus to the airport.