When people think about visiting Italy, the usual names tend to come up. Rome, Venice, Florence, perhaps a trip along the Amalfi Coast.
And they're wonderful destinations, of course.
But head a little further south, towards the heel of Italy's boot, and you'll discover a region that deserves considerably more attention.
Welcome to Puglia.
And right at the heart of it is Bari, a city that many holidaymakers barely get to know.
It's often treated as somewhere you fly into before collecting a hire car and heading off to explore the rest of the region.
But I think Bari deserves more than a quick overnight stay before moving on.
With its winding old streets, lively waterfront, historic churches and some seriously good food, there's plenty here to fill a few days.
And the best part? You don't necessarily need to hire a car to enjoy it.
A proper Italian city with plenty of character
One of the things that appeals to me about Bari is that it's a real, working Italian city.
It's not a purpose-built holiday resort, and it hasn't been preserved purely for visitors.
People live here, work here, shop here and go about their everyday lives.
That's part of its charm.
The historic heart of Bari is known as Bari Vecchia, or Old Bari.
It's a maze of narrow streets, stone buildings, little squares and unexpected corners where you might suddenly come across a beautiful church or somewhere serving freshly made food.
You could spend hours simply wandering around.
And honestly, I think that's part of the pleasure of visiting somewhere like this.
You don't need to have every minute planned. Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you turn down a street simply because it looks interesting.
There's plenty of history to discover
If you enjoy exploring historic places, Bari certainly won't disappoint.
One of its most famous landmarks is the Basilica di San Nicola, an important church associated with Saint Nicholas.
Yes, that Saint Nicholas. The historical figure whose story eventually became connected with Father Christmas.
Not necessarily what you'd expect to discover during a sunny Italian city break!
The basilica is a remarkable example of Romanesque architecture and an important religious destination.
Then there's the Cathedral of San Sabino, another beautiful building worth exploring, and the imposing Norman-Swabian Castle, which reflects Bari's long and occasionally turbulent history.
But I'd resist the temptation to turn your visit into a race around every historic building.
Choose the places that genuinely interest you, enjoy the streets between them and leave yourself plenty of time for a coffee or something to eat.
Which brings me rather conveniently to one of Bari's greatest attractions.
Come hungry. Very hungry.
If you're somebody who enjoys discovering a destination through its food, Bari should definitely be on your radar.
Puglia has some wonderful regional dishes, and you don't need to book an expensive restaurant to enjoy them.
Let's start with focaccia barese.
This is the local take on focaccia, typically topped with tomatoes and olives, with a lovely golden crust.
It's the sort of thing you might buy as a snack and then find yourself buying again because, well, you're on holiday.
Then there's panzerotti, a folded, filled pastry that's often fried, with tomato and mozzarella among the traditional fillings.
And of course, there's orecchiette.
These small, ear-shaped pieces of pasta are particularly associated with Puglia, often served with turnip greens in a traditional local dish.
In parts of Bari Vecchia, pasta-making is still part of everyday neighbourhood life.
You may come across residents preparing orecchiette by hand, continuing a tradition that has become one of the city's best-known sights.
It's fascinating to see, although it's worth remembering that these are people's homes and workplaces, rather than an attraction set up purely for tourists.
And if you want another local dish to look out for, try tiella barese, made with rice, potatoes and mussels.
I could quite happily plan a considerable portion of a Bari city break around deciding what to eat next.
Whether that counts as cultural exploration or simply being greedy is open to debate.
Don't forget the seafront
Bari isn't just narrow streets and historic buildings.
It's also a coastal city, sitting right on the Adriatic Sea.
One of the loveliest ways to spend some time here is enjoying the waterfront.
The Lungomare, Bari's seafront promenade, offers views out across the water and a chance to enjoy a completely different side of the city.
You can take a leisurely walk, stop for a drink or simply find somewhere to watch the world go by.
There's something rather wonderful about visiting a city where you can spend the morning exploring medieval streets and the afternoon sitting beside the sea.
It's one of the reasons I think Bari works so well for a short break.
You get a little bit of everything without constantly travelling from one attraction to another.
Where should you stay in Bari?
For a first visit, I'd start by looking at two areas.
Bari Vecchia: For atmosphere and history
If the old town is the main reason you're visiting, staying in or close to Bari Vecchia could be a lovely choice.
You're surrounded by historic streets, with restaurants, churches and little squares nearby.
It's particularly appealing if you enjoy heading out in the evening and soaking up the atmosphere.
Just remember that older buildings can have their quirks.
Narrow staircases, limited lift access and pedestrian-only streets might be part of the experience, so the exact accommodation matters.
Murat: For convenience and exploring
The nearby Murat district offers a different feel, with more regular streets, shops, cafés and access towards Bari Centrale railway station.
I'd certainly consider this area if you were planning to explore beyond the city by train.
It can offer a practical balance between enjoying the old town and getting around.
Neither area is automatically the better choice.
It really depends on whether you'd rather wake up surrounded by historic streets or have convenient transport connections nearby.
Exploring Puglia without hiring a car
Here's another reason Bari caught my attention.
You can use the city as a base for visiting some wonderful places along the Adriatic coast, without necessarily having to drive.
Bari has a railway connection with its airport, and regional trains provide opportunities to explore nearby towns.
Two places I'd particularly consider are Polignano a Mare and Monopoli.
Polignano a Mare
Polignano a Mare is famous for its dramatic clifftop setting, white buildings and striking views over the Adriatic.
It's one of those places where the photographs immediately make you want to find out more.
The town itself has narrow streets, viewpoints and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the coastal scenery.
It could make a wonderful day out from Bari.
Monopoli
Monopoli has its own character, with an attractive old harbour, historic streets and a lovely waterfront.
I think it would appeal to anyone who enjoys wandering through an Italian town, finding somewhere for lunch and generally taking things at a relaxed pace.
You could investigate visiting both towns, although I'd be inclined to give at least one of them enough time to enjoy properly rather than rushing through.
Train times and connections are worth checking for your dates, particularly if you're relying on public transport throughout the trip.
But the ability to explore places like these without automatically needing a hire car makes Bari a very interesting option.
How I'd spend three nights in Bari
If I were putting together a three-night city break, I'd keep things fairly relaxed.
Day one: Arrive and settle in
Once you've arrived and checked into your accommodation, head out for a wander.
Find somewhere nice for dinner, perhaps explore a little of the old town and get your bearings.
No need for an ambitious sightseeing schedule after a day of travelling.
Day two: Discover Bari
Give yourself a proper day to explore Bari Vecchia.
Visit the basilica or cathedral if they interest you, discover the streets and make sure you've left plenty of room for lunch.
Later, head towards the waterfront and enjoy the seafront atmosphere.
Day three: Explore a little further
This would be my day for a trip to Polignano a Mare or Monopoli.
Take the train, enjoy a change of scenery and find somewhere lovely to eat before returning to Bari.
Alternatively, if you've fallen in love with Bari itself, there's nothing wrong with spending another day in the city.
Day four: Homeward bound
Depending on your flight time, you might have room for one final coffee or breakfast before heading to the airport.
And perhaps a last piece of focaccia for the journey.
Purely for research purposes, obviously.
When is the best time to visit?
For a city break built around exploring, I'd certainly look at spring or autumn.
You can enjoy walking around the city without necessarily choosing the hottest part of the Italian summer.
Late spring and early autumn could also work nicely if you're hoping to combine sightseeing with time by the coast.
July and August can be very hot, particularly when you're spending much of the day walking around streets and historic sites.
The best dates will also depend on flight schedules, accommodation availability and whether particular attractions or experiences are important to you.
For me, Bari is the sort of destination where having pleasant weather for wandering and eating outdoors matters more than trying to find the hottest possible week.
Who would I recommend Bari to?
I think Bari could be a brilliant option for couples, friends or solo travellers who enjoy history, food and discovering somewhere with a bit of personality.
It's also worth considering for people who have already visited some of Italy's better-known cities and fancy trying somewhere different.
Families could enjoy it too, especially if the children are happy exploring, trying local food and heading out on the occasional train adventure.
But I wouldn't recommend it as though it's a traditional family resort holiday.
If your idea of a perfect week involves a large swimming pool, children's clubs and entertainment throughout the day, we'd probably look at a different style of accommodation or destination.
And that's absolutely fine.
The best holiday isn't the one everybody else says you should take. It's the one that actually suits you.
Give Bari a little more time
Italy has so many wonderful places to visit that it's easy for somewhere like Bari to get overlooked.
But I think there's a strong case for spending a few nights here rather than simply treating it as the airport for the rest of Puglia.
You have historic streets, beautiful churches, lovely coastal walks, fantastic food and the possibility of exploring neighbouring towns.
All without necessarily needing a hire car.
And if you're planning a longer holiday in Puglia, Bari could be a fantastic place to begin before heading further into the region.
So if you're thinking about an Italian city break, or you're curious about exploring somewhere beyond the usual destinations, I'd certainly put Bari on your shortlist.
Tell me what kind of Italian holiday you'd enjoy, how long you'd like to go for and where you'd prefer to fly from.
I'll help you explore the options and find a trip that makes sense for you.
Let's plan your Italian adventure