Bari to Trani to Masseria Montenapoleone

 Buongiorno a tutti!

It has been several days since we last posted.  That’s because we have been fully occupied with the busiest week of our tour organized by Savour Italy.  We’ve been using our rental car to visit a large part of urban and rural Puglia!

Based on excellent recommendations from friends and Antonio, we left Bari on Friday, Feb. 16 to drive along the eastern coastline north of the city.  Top among the suggestions was the village of Trani.  Its earliest beginnings were during the Roman Empire but the real start to the town began during the 11th and 13th centuries.

Our handy-dandy GPS took us right down to the seafront, where we started our walking visit in this beautiful park.

        The park ended at a marina that was full of blue fishing boats just bobbing in their moorings

It was such a warm, sunny day, we decided that we just had to sit down and admire the view.  And of course, there’s no sitting in Italy with out the compulsory apéritivos and some rosato!

After buffing up what remained of our tans from Florida, we continued on our exploration of the Centro Storico.  Here’s a part of the Cathedral that’s getting a facelift.

But just around the corner is this iconic tower of the duomo that really demonstrates the creamy colour of the bricks that are so typical in this region of Italy.  How blue is that sky????

And, if you look closely in the bottom left you can see part of the Adriatic.  The Cathedral is very close to the water.  This is what it looks like from a bit farther off…

As you follow the sea wall around the waterfront, the Castello di Trani emerges.  Construction on the castle was commisioned by Frederick II in 1233. Through the centuries, it was controlled by various dynasties, including the Spaniards and the Venetian Republic.  A general renovation in the 1800’s converted the castle to serve as a prison.  Finally, in 1936, it became a National Monument.

Now, on to the next fabulous part of our adventure in Italy - the Masseria Montenapoleone.  We have to say that this was an exceptionally wonderful surprise.  

You’re probably saying, “Susan, what’s a masseria?”  Well, picture a resort (complete with spa, pool, dining room, breakfast room, nature walks, bikes to rent, etc., etc.,) that is positioned in the middle of jaw-dropping scenery, surrounded by a working farm that supplies cheeses, olive oil, herbs, fresh vegetables, eggs and goodness knows what else - all for use by the chef who creates incredible dishes for your enjoyment and pleasure!

Here’s the view from our balcony

                                                   In the distance, the Adriatic coast…

                                                    … and in the foreground, an orange grove

                                    Here’s Vince, on our private balcony, doing a little Italian practice…

                                     The Pool (no, we didn’t swim - it’s a little chilly right now)

One of the many pathways on the property.  The rooms all have their own entrances from the outside - very private!  Here’s a pic of our room

Very comfortable room, furnishings and a full bath in behind the wall with the mirror.

Flowering olive trees

                                             

                                                                Part of the working farm

And just imagine, we were here for 2 full days!  Tomorrow’s posting will show more of the delightful rooms and vistas as well as describing some of the dishes we experienced, so save up your appetite!

Ciao for now.