Today we packed our bags and left Monopoli – it’s been a great week. While we had intended our week in Monopoli to be spent chilling out and not doing much, we actually did a lot and were quite busy. We had an early start, leaving the apartment at about 7am so we could haul our ever-heavier packs to the station to catch the 7:45am express to Bari, where we would then connect with a fast train to Rome. ...
Today is our last day in Monopoli. We leave tomorrow very early to catch a train to Bari, and then another from Bari up to Rome. The weather is fantastic today—the sun is out, the wind has dropped, and the sea looks lovely. The kids and I took a walk down the coast to check out Cala Diavolo (Devil Cove), named because of the two coves next to each other that resemble the shape of devil horns on the coastline. ...
Today was about more exploring and trying new things. We had a lovely, slow morning—I think we all needed it—and we headed out just before 10 a.m. Walking past the big cathedral, we were just in time to see more of the local festa, with the procession of three more statues through the street, followed by a marching band and many locals. Once the procession had passed, we ventured into the cathedral for a look. It was massive—lots of white and brown marble, frescoes, paintings, and relics. ...
Today was all about chilling out, unwinding, and recharging. It was a wonderfully warm day in Monopoli—perfect for exploring a little and then hitting the beach. We grabbed lunch at the other café at the end of our street—this one focused mainly on fried calamari and octopus paninis (what could be better?). We ordered some calamari, fries, a few octopus paninis, and some drinks. An amazing lunch. By the afternoon, a breeze had come up. Rain is expected tomorrow. We still wanted some beach time, however, and didn’t let the breeze stop us—although it did change the previously mirror-like sea into a bit more of a choppy affair. ...
After a quick overnight stay in Bari, we packed up our bags and walked to the train station. Bari Centrale was about a 2 km walk, giving us a brief look at other areas of the city as we made our way through the streets. It was a quick 45-minute train ride to Monopoli. The train left Bari and followed the coastline, providing some lovely views of both the water and the almost endless fields of vines and olive trees—something the region is known for. ...