Giovinasso to Bari

October 22, 2024

A short ride on a sunny day

This morning we left our comfortable apartment in Giovinasso and took our time heading down the coast a bit further to the big city of Bari. Our host had provided a wonderful bowl of fresh fruit to start our day and we were rolling by 10:30. We quickly got onto a road right beside the water`s edge and enjoyed a leisurely but too short pedal beside the clear Adriatic in the warm morning sun. These sections of coastal roads are really beautiful but can be short and this one ended after only 2KM. It was another 5KM on an inland road before we could return to the coast. A coffee stop here at San Giorgio was in order. Another lovely waterfront setting.

Outside our accommodation on a typical street in the old part of Giovinasso.

Looking toward a church in the old part of town.

Back on the coast with a bike lane and blue skies! It doesn't get much better.

A casual fish market where it appears that local fishermen set up shop and sell their fresh morning catch. You could get some great Bouillabaisse ingredients here.

Morning coffee stop in the sun beside the sea and the cycle path. The espresso was very good.

It is quite common to see people fishing here.

Our next detour off the coast sent us over 2KM inland out past the Bari airport before we could eventually return to the coast. Soon we were riding an odd pedestrian / cyclepath in front of the large Bari port area on the outskirts of the city. Almost by accident we stopped to get our bearings and discovered that we were near where we were staying for the night. Very quickly our ride was coming to an end.

Leaving the coast and waiting at a train crossing. The navigation became tricky and few pictures taken of the busy roundabouts as we went toward the Bari airport and then on a busy small road back to the coast.

When tracking down our apartment we could see a large group of people blocking the intersection in front of us. We wondered if it was a protest. As we got closer we could see it was an elementary school releasing their kids for the day. A traffic cop had put up a barricade to close down one end of the the small street. It was something to watch as the parents picked up their kids, loaded them - often helmetless, onto a vespa type scooter and then maneuvered through the crowd. It was amazing that no one got hurt.

Our self checkin apartment for two nights was just around the corner. After carrying the bikes up a couple of flights of stairs to the room and settling into our new digs, we took a bit of a break before heading out into Bari.

Parents positioning for the pick up and escape. The children have yet to be released.

We are staying near Vecchia - the historic center of the city. Bari, known as a port city, has been improving its reputation as a place for tourists to visit and the Vecchia neighbourhood is one of key reasons. Inside the beautiful old centre, the white marble streets twist and turn. It is hard to get your bearings as you pass numerous shops and churches - one count suggested 30 of them.

The moat walls of Swabian castle of Bari is a great place to sit in the afternoon sunshine.

Entering the streets and alleys of Vecchia.

Cathedral of San Sabino dates back to the twelfth century.

At dinner, we agreed on a restaurant where one of the employees took great effort to explain the local Puglia nature of their offerings, particularly the fresh pasta dishes. Scott choose Orecchiette (small ears) with a special meat ball and Pat had another pasta with seafood. Both were very good. We stopped at a local grocery store for some yogurt for the morning and called it day.

Heart

Comment

Link

Today's ride: 26 km (16 miles)
Total: 75 km (47 miles)

Rate this entry's writing	Heart	10
Comment on this entry	Comment	0