Photo by J

About Alberobello

Located in the heel of the boot, in Italy's Apulia (Puglia) region, Alberobello is a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its unique trulli architecture. A trulli is a special type of building or home made mostly of limestone stacked in an incredibly intricate manner. This style of home was created in the 1700s when Alberobello needed to pay town taxes based upon the number of homes. Trulli could be easily dismantled, so when tax collectors would come, citizens could knock down their homes and pay lower taxes! Very clever if you ask me -- stickin' it to the man since the 1700s!

Though trulli can be seen elsewhere in the Apulia region (keep your eyes out while on the train!), the highest concentration can be found in Alberobello, with some peeking out from behind more modern buildings and more than 1,000 can be found on a hill in one specific area -- Rione Monti.

While marveling at the trulli, do keep your eyes open for the unique, stacked limestone rooftops that ore often topped by white decorations. These decorations have different religious and pagan meanings. 

Photo by J

Getting There

I'm one for choosing public transportation when possible, so instead of renting a car, we opted to visit Alberobello via train from Bari. It was approximately a two hour train ride and the trains came frequent enough to make it comfortable. Grab a map at the train station and you are good to go.

Photo by J

Where to Eat and What to See

Black & White Cafe

We were pretty hungry by the time we arrived in Alberobello, so we stopped for a coffee and quick pastry at the Black & White Cafe, which was just across from the train station. The cake I had was really tasty and they had a pretty decent selection of gluten free goodies.

Basilica dei S.S. Medici

Located about a 10 minute walk or so from the train station, the Basilica dei S.S. Medici is pretty eye catching.  It stands in the middle of a wide street and behind it is a section with a high concentration of trulli.

Chiesa S. Antonio

Chiesa S. Antonio is a beautiful trulli church that is relatively new, built in the 20th century. You can enter the church for free, and I recommend you do, as the stone interior, with its drastic arches is really pretty cool.

 

Playground 

Located right across from the Chiesa S. Antonio, with tons of trulli surrounding it, there was a wonderful playground. Now, if you don't have kids, playgrounds probably don't feature on your top places to visit list, but there were some really great views from here!

Trullo Sovrano

We missed visiting Trullo Sovrano, but I'm a bit bummed about it since I really wanted to see the interior of a trulli. Apparently, visitors can enter Trullo Sovrano, which a grand trulli decorated in appropriate furniture. You can read more about it here.

Unpopular Opinion

Now, I was really impressed by the amazing architecture of the trulli and though that the crafts person in charge of originally building them must have been highly skilled and meticulous. The initial street in the Rione Monti section that we stumbled upon to walk into the trulli-concentrated area was mostly deserted, as we were there in mid-February -- I have read that it gets over-crowded in the high season.

Though I marveled at the architecture and would have liked to see the interior of a home, I perhaps hold an unpopular opinion -- is Alberobello too touristy?

The next main street we walked on was full of shops selling the same souvenirs with shop keepers yelling after you in English to purchase their goods. Now, in my opinion, this is the exact opposite way to attract me to visit a shop (or restaurant for that matter). However, I have read that the sections near Basilica dei S.S. Medici and Rione Monti are the most touristy, whereas the section called Rione Aia Piccola is less visited by tourists. So, perhaps that is where we should have visited.

But to get to the root of the matter -- does naming something a UNESCO World Heritage Site sometimes have the negative effect of making a place that was once unique turn into something too touristy, too much like Disney Land? But at least this way the beautiful historic architecture is protected, so maybe it has both positives and negatives?

Love this photo by J!

Photo by J

Photo by J

Photo by J

Final tips

To get the best of Alberobello, I'd suggest visiting in the off-season. In February, the weather was reasonably warm and we were virtually the only people walking through the trulli areas. I think it would be too much to visit during the spring and summer. If you want to avoid the heavily visited areas, perhaps Rione Aia Piccola is the best option for you.

What is your opinion of UNESCO World Heritage Sites? Have you been to Alberobello?

When planning our February break vacation we knew we wanted something cheap and warm. Those were our only two requirements. So, my search began for a cheap flight and a destination with affordable accommodations. My search on Ryan Air and Wizz Air led to a few options, but the best for our travel dates and awesome for affordability was Bari, Italy. Located in southern Italy in the heel of the boot, Bari was definitely warmer and way sunnier than Vilnius. Perfect.

Are you looking for a sunny European destination in the wintertime? Consider Bari for its delicious food, warm weather, friendly people, and perfect location. We loved it!

What To Do In Bari, Italy

Old Town

 The first thing to do once you arrive in Bari is to walk around the old town. The stunning white architecture makes it appear as though the stone buildings have been whitewashed by the sun. Each little winding street opens into a beautiful square, religious icons on homes, or cathedrals. It is beautiful. Smells from little shops selling delicious food provide navigation hints for those in search of snacks -- look out for the Portuguese bakery and the nearby tiny shop selling hot out of the oven focaccia.

Cathedrals and Churches

Staying true to its Catholic roots, old town Bari alone had four impressive churches. Practically every winding street you take in the old town opens to a beautiful, white stone church. The Archdiocese of Bari and the Basilica San Nicola are particularly stunning.

Beach Promenade

 Running along the harbor is a beautiful promenade taking you from the beach all the way to the castle (though that would be a longer walk than cutting through the city). Along the promenade you could watch fishermen preparing their squid and octopus for meals. Fishing boats were coming and going and numerous runners were making their way along the path. The waters were also surprisingly clear, although trash was common in the shallows.

Castello Normanno-Svevo

Bari even has a beautiful castle -- Castello Normanno-Svevo. Castello Normanno-Svevo was built in the 1100s by King Roger II. It was destroyed shortly after it was originally built, and then rebuilt several times throughout history. The interior of the castle is now a museum and can be visited for a small fee. We opted to spend the fee on gelato rather than visit, but reviews on TripAdvisor are decent.

Beach

If the weather is really warm during your visit, Bari even has a small sandy beach that would be nice for a swim or great for toddlers to play in the sand. It is always good to have a beach option!

Day Trips

With Italy's great train connections, Bari is a wonderful base for day trips around Apulia. Day trip options include Monopoli, Lecce, and Alerobello. The trains were really affordable and made for easy connections, making it unnecessary to rent a car. Alerobello (pictured below) is a beautiful town that has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its trulli homes. We didn't make it to Lecce, but I did read that it is a scenic destination!

Shopping and Eating

There were delicious restaurants, cafes, gelaterias, and street food stops everywhere in Bari. It is truly a tasty heaven for foodies -- and better yet, the prices were really great! The local specialties are focaccia, orecchiette, and fried corn bread. All so good! I'll share an entire post soon about the restaurants and food stalls we loved.

After our first day exploring Bari, J and I both shared our surprise at the size of Bari. We both had anticipated it would be a small, sleepy town, but boy we were wrong. As the capital of the Apulia region, Bari is a center for food, shopping, and tourism (it also has the airport). There are several pedestrian shopping streets located in Bari, making it a perfect relaxing escape for a family or girls' trip.

Have you been to Bari, Italy? Have you ever chosen a destination because of the cheap flights and warmer weather?

Over the past approximately 10-15 years, New London has become a hotspot for locals and those visiting southeastern Connecticut to eat out, bar hop, and enjoy both street art and art galleries. As a southeastern Connecticut native myself, I'd like to share my favorite spots and some cool hidden gems.

You might find yourself passing through New London if you are making your way from New York to Boston, or hopping on an Amtrak train at the New London Station, or grabbing a ferry to Fishers Island, NY or Block Island, RI.

If you want to start planning your trip now, head over to the new ISO Facebook community for budget travel tips and destination guides. 

What to do

The City of New London has commissioned pieces of street art that keep popping up all over the downtown. The pieces are representative of the diverse cultures, history, and love of the arts that the New London community contains. In addition to viewing the street art in New London, you can also enjoy a locally run art gallery, see a ballet or play at the local theater, or create your own masterpiece.

The Garde Arts Center: The Garde Arts Center is a historic institution of performance art. See a play, ballet, or film in this gorgeous theater, which was built in 1926.

Connecticut College: Connecticut College is a small liberal arts college that has excellent performing arts events all year round. You can search their events on their arts page.


Hygienic Art: The Hygienic Art Gallery was created in 1979 as an art festival held in a restaurant, which has since become an art gallery that shows fine art. Associated with the Hygienic Gallery is their art park, which is free to visit and open during the day and during gallery hours. The Hygienic Park also frequently has outdoor music events. Additionally, the Hygienic Art Gallery has been working with the City of New London to create murals to beautify the downtown -- check out their art walks!

The Drunken Palette: The Drunken Palette is an art class studio that offers both children and adult art parties. The knowledgeable and friendly teachers choose a piece that a Drunken Palette artists has previously created and they provide step by step instructions on how to recreate this painting. During the adult sessions they allow BYOB, which helps to bring out those creative juices. Just don' mix your paint brush cup with your wine! Learn about their painting nights and events on their webpage.


Street Art: Grab one of the street art maps at the Hygienic or at Muddy Waters Cafe and take yourself on a walking tour of the ever-changing artworks in downtown New London. Each time I'm back in the US (about every 6 mo) there are new pieces of artwork that really liven up the historic city.

Connecticut College Arboretum: The Connecticut College Arboretum is a 770 acre park that is open to the community. The arboretum has gorgeous collections of native plants and is a popular spot for engagement and wedding photos.

Old Town Mill: The Old Town Mill was built by John Winthrop, Jr. in 1650 to grind grain for the local community. The mill was destroyed by the Connecticut's number 1 historical villain Benedict Arnold during the Revolutionary War. The Old Town Mill was rebuilt shortly after the war and it was then used until the 20th century. The Old Town Mill is truly a hidden gem in New London as it is full of rich history, yet is located under 95 and near a low income housing development. Read more here.

 

New London Boardwalk: The New London Boardwalk is a popular fishing and walking area in downtown New London. Reach the piers and boardwalk by walking over the train tracks (check for trains first!!) near the station and go towards the water. There you'll find a walking path and several piers to stroll along. This provides great views of Groton.

 

Fort Trumbull: Fort Trumbull is another Revolutionary War site that was attacked by Benedict Arnold and much of New London was subsequently burned down. The current fort was built in 1839-1852 and the interior now features educational displays. Fishing is also allowed during the season (with the correct permits) and the grounds are nice for flying kites, eating lunch, or walking.
 

 

 

Ocean Beach: Ocean Beach is the nicest beach in the area and features lots of activities including beach volley ball nets, a playground, occasional concerts, and movie nights. It also has slides, some food stands, and an outdoor Olympic size pool that local swim teams (like my high school team) used in the summers.

Nathan Hale Schoolhouse: Most CT natives will be familiar with the state's local hero: Nathan Hale. This young, brave man earned his teaching degree from Yale at a very young age and taught for around a year and a half at two different schoolhouses in Connecticut. Then, he volunteered in the revolutionary war and was killed because he was working as a spy for the Continental Army. The former schoolhouse that he taught in is still located in New London and can be visited. The schoolhouse stands out among more modern architectural styles and oddly enough, a large parking garage (ramp for my Midwestern readers) stands nearly touching the schoolhouse. You can learn about visiting on their webpage.

Eating Out

New London's cultural diversity has created the prime locations of numerous, celebrated ethnic restaurants. Look no further than New London for excellent Northern Indian food and Greek food in southeastern Connecticut. Frozen sweet treats can be found at both the historical Michael's Dairy and the fairly new, but incredible, Berry's Ice Cream. You won't go hungry in New London.

Caffe NV: Caffe NV is a fantastic restaurant that serves authentic Greek cuisine. Their food and service can please even the pickiest diner. Because of this, Caffe NV is often very busy, so be sure to arrive early for seating. Also, don't skip dessert -- the Greek pastries are to die for. The owners also recently opened a take-out spot that has different food options and is also very popular.

Muddy Waters Cafe: Muddy Waters Cafe has become a community meeting place in downtown New London. At Muddy Waters you can enjoy freshly brewed coffee, egg sandwiches, and delicious pastries. I'm a huge fan of the grilled muffins. Muddy Waters Cafe has an array of mix-matched couches to linger with friends or catch up on work. Additionally, Muddy Waters boasts a huge outdoor patio that overlooks the train station, ferry dock, and boardwalk.

2 Wives Brick Oven Pizza: 2 Wives serves specialty pizza, paninis, salads, pasta, and desserts. To get more bang for your buck, 2 Wives has daily specials of buy one get one half off pizzas, buy one get one free salads, and family days -- be sure to check their website for the current offerings. They also serve gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian friendly dishes. I've been to 2 Wives countless times and always enjoy the casual atmosphere and great pizzas. I especially like their Panzanella Salad and Roasted Beet Salad.

Berry's Ice Cream & Candy Bar: Berry's Ice Cream and Candy Bar is a new find that isn't to be missed. I stopped into the shop on a Monday and was welcomed with their Milkshake Monday special -- buy one get one free milkshakes. I ordered the Thin Mint milkshake, made with chocolate milk -- at the recommendation of the woman working in the shop. It was absolutely delicious.

Northern Indian: Northern Indian makes delicious Indian food including curries, naan, tandoori, and other homestyle favorites. To get more bang for your buck, visit Northern Indian for lunch as they offer a buffet. Additionally, they are a vegan and vegetarian friendly restaurant -- just ask the knowledgeable staff if you have questions.

Fred's Shanty: Fred's Shanty is a casual outdoor restaurant where you line up to place your order for fresh seafood or other fried American fare. I'm a huge fan of the onion rings and pink lemonade, and everyone loves the fried seafood.

Michael's Dairy: Michael's Dairy is a local favorite standby in New London. Open since 1938 as a milk processing dairy, Michael's has stayed true to its roots and now makes and serves incredible ice cream. My favorite is the Caramel Chocolate Pretzel -- certainly as decadent as it sounds. Go find your favorite!

Other tips

New London, CT is a small city with a wide range of activities and is a great stop during a Connecticut or New England road trip. While downtown New London is best explored on foot (street parking is available throughout downtown), you'll need a car to access other parts of New London including Ocean Beach, the Old Town Mill, and Fort Trumbull. Keep in mind that several of the streets in New London are one-way only, so pay attention to signs and the direction that cars are parked on streets (cars parked on one way streets should be facing the direction of travel).

New London is a great stop as a break from a drive from Boston to New York (or vise versa) as well as a nice stop on a New England road trip. New London isn't huge, so you needn't spend more than one day.



Do you like visiting small cities? Have you noticed historical sites in unusual or unexpected places?