Description: The third port of call on my Adriatic cruise was the southern Italian city of Bari. However, some fellow cruise addicts and I decided to skip Bari and create our own little excursion to a seaside town called Polignano A Mare. This small town is located about 30 minutes from Bari Central Station by regional trains for 2.30 euros each way.
The train ride was captivating, as the train wove through gorgeous countryside filled with small olive farms until the Mediterranean Sea popped into view. After the farms came a dry and almost desert-like landscape as we approached the coast and our final destination. The main advantage of Regional trains in Italy is that because they aren't speeding across the country, you actually get to enjoy the views along the way.
The train pulled into the tiny station of Polignano A Mare, and our group of about fifteen hopped off. Our group leader pulled out the directions to the viewing platform for the cliffs and we were on our way. The town itself was very quiet, filled with small parks and giant walls with tasteful street art. It was unlike any of the other towns I've seen so far in the country, and I could tell that it wasn't marketed for tourists.
When we arrived at the viewing platform, it apparent that we had it all to ourselves! I found it crazy, that out of the 3000 plus cruisers who landed at Bari, only 15 of us made it here. Well, their loss was our gain, and we had a spectacular view to enjoy without having to take photos with people being in the way.
And as for the long awaited view, it was better than it looked online! The water sprayed on the jagged white cliffs and since it was rather breezy, some of it sprayed high enough to sprinkle on our faces. The most amazing part was the homes that were built right into the cliffside, without any type of guard rail! It seemed a scary place to live, but the houses definitely added to the beauty of the area.
Down below the platform, were many small caves where the seawater eroded the cliffs. These caves were of all different shapes and sizes and it was fascinating to watch the water fill them, then recede every twenty seconds or so. Sea gulls dotted the horizon and cawed loudly to one another, trying their best to be heard over the crashing waves.
Polignano A Mare is a famous cliff diving destination, where professionals from all over the world come to leap off the large white bluffs into the sparkling Mediterranean Sea below. We visited during October, so the water was too cold to see these dare devils, but we could imagine it quite well!
Eventually we left the viewing platform and took a while to look around the coastal community. All the homes seemed to blend into one another, with the only differences being the potted plants in the windows and the different colours of the doors and shutters. Thee was a tiny square which featured a small church with an interestingly shaped bell tower. Polignano A Mare is on a whole other level.
We spotted an almost empty gelato parlour and decided to have a sweet treat, regardless of the fact that we hadn't eaten lunch as yet. The owner was very friendly, and made lots of conversation while he carried out our orders. The gelato was yummy, and a steal of a deal at only 2 euros. We went back to the viewing platform and milled around for a bit while we demolished our cones.
Polignano a Mare was an excellent choice for a day trip while in Southern Italy. If you love the seaside and quaint coastal towns, then this may be your best bet. The train ride to get there was short but picturesque, and the destination lived up to it's hype. If you go, you won't regret it!
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