Greetings from beautiful and sunny Bari, Italy. TGC says driving and walking tours the next couple of days, as we explore the southern Adriatic coast of Italy.
We drove about 1 1/2 hours outside Bari. Believe us, driving in southern Italy is not for the faint of heart😬 Interesting area, very flat and the millions of limestone rocks have been stacked to create walls and basically everything!
The area was developed in the 1500’s to give peasants land, (of course the king kept 10% of the goods produced).
The original structures were built as “Dry stacks” or without any mortar so they could be quickly destroyed if the King was unhappy!
Now the buildings have been updated with concrete mortar.
Ok, short drive to the next stop, Locorotando.
Ok, that’s day one of this tour, talk tomorrow! I got off easy, 14,000 steps and gentle hills😜
Day two! A little overcast today as TGC says, one hour drive to Matera and walking tour time😜
After one hour of crazy Italian driving 🫣 We arrived safely in Matera, parked the Trusty Citroen in an underground car park 😉 and away we go on the walking tour!
Matera is a very interesting city. It’s current population is about 60,000 but the interesting part is the old city, which started in Neanderthal times.
As the city above and below continued to grow, the rock buildings were starting to collapse.
I’m sure it’s quite the happening place on the weekends and summers!
Wonderful time here in Puglia, lots to do and see!
Only 16,000 steps, but hundreds of stars and cobblestones 😬
We’re off to Lecce on the heel of the Italian boot! Until next time!
Arrivederci 😎
Trafton’s European Tour 2024-2025 