Bitritto

Day Trips

Wake up to the gentle rhythms of Bitritto and enjoy a freshly baked cornetto and espresso in Piazza Fania. Wander through the narrow cobblestone alleyways lined with whitewashed houses and admire the intricate balconies. Chat with friendly locals and soak in the timeless atmosphere that permeates the historic centre.

Visit the medieval Chiesa di Santa Maria La Nova and marvel at its Renaissance façade and finely crafted interior. Explore the small artisan shops nearby, where handmade ceramics and textiles showcase Pugliese tradition. Take time to photograph the charming details carved into the stone portals that date back centuries.

Dine at a family-run trattoria and savor homemade orecchiette pasta drizzled with local olive oil and topped with fresh tomatoes. Pair your dinner with a glass of Primitivo di Manduria, rich and velvety on the palate. End the evening under starry skies with a passeggiata through the silent streets.

Head to a nearby masseria surrounded by ancient olive trees for an immersive olive oil tasting experience. Learn how olives are harvested and pressed, and sample freshly extracted extra-virgin olive oil. Stroll through sun-drenched groves and breathe in the earthy fragrance of the old gnarled trunks.

Return to the masseria kitchen for a hands-on cooking lesson in Pugliese specialties. Under the guidance of a local chef, prepare fresh orecchiette pasta, focaccia barese, and a rustic vegetable ragù. Enjoy the fruits of your labor at a long table set in the courtyard, accompanied by homemade wine.

Visit a nearby agriturismo to discover regional desserts like cartellate drizzled with vincotto. Sip a glass of sweet passito while listening to live folk music drifting through the olive trees. As night falls, relish the serene ambiance framed by the softly lit farmhouse.

Take an early train to Altamura, famed for its bread heritage recognized by UNESCO. Visit a traditional forno and watch master bakers craft the iconic pane di Altamura in ancient wood-fired ovens. Breathe in the warm aroma of freshly baked loaves as they emerge golden and crusty.

Explore the nearby Grotte di Lamalunga, where the prehistoric Altamura Man echoes deep history within its limestone chambers. Walk through cool caverns adorned with stalactites and learn about archeological discoveries dating back tens of thousands of years. Appreciate the quiet stillness that envelops the subterranean world.

Return to Bitritto for a hearty dinner featuring local bread paired with cured meats and cheeses. Sample a selection of scamorza affumicata and capocollo while sipping a robust Negroamaro. End the night with a leisurely stroll under the glow of street lamps along the town’s tranquil lanes.

Drive or take the train to Polignano a Mare, perched dramatically on cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Start your day with cappuccino on a terrace jutting out over the crystal-clear waters. Watch local fishermen cast their lines and enjoy the salty sea breeze against the rocky coastline.

Dive into the emerald waters at Cala Porto and swim beneath sheer limestone walls. Explore the hidden caves by kayak, discovering secluded grottos accessible only by water. Pause at a beachfront café to savor a plate of fresh seafood crudo and a glass of chilled Falanghina.

Return to Bitritto in time for aperitivo in Piazza Fania with spritz and taralli. Engage in friendly conversation with neighbors gathering for their evening passeggiata. Top off the day with a gelato cone while the town settles into peaceful nighttime rhythms.

Journey to Alberobello to marvel at its storybook cluster of trulli, the iconic white-washed stone huts with conical roofs. Stroll through the Rione Monti district and admire the intricate pinnacle symbols adorning each roof. Visit a craft shop to learn about the centuries-old techniques used to build these unique dwellings.

Climb to the Jardin d’Amore for panoramic views over the trulli forest and surrounding olive groves. Sip a lemonade infused with local lemons while taking in the sun-dappled vista. Sample handmade ceramics and trulli-themed souvenirs at local stalls.

Return to Bitritto to join a folk dance session in a local piazza, where traditional pizzica music fills the air. Dance alongside villagers celebrating their cultural heritage with joyous energy. Savor a dinner of succulent lamb slowly roasted with wild herbs and a crisp glass of Locorotondo white wine.

Embark on a scenic drive to Castel del Monte, the mysterious octagonal fortress commissioned by Emperor Frederick II. Wander through its symmetrical towers and learn about the architectural riddles that have fascinated historians for centuries. Absorb sweeping views across the Murgia plateau and olive-sprinkled landscape.

Head to a nearby vineyard in Barile for a tasting of Aglianico wine cultivated on volcanic soil. Tour the cellars hewn into the limestone and sample vintages aged in oak barrels. Pair each sip with local cheese and salami, embracing the region’s robust flavors.

Enjoy a light dinner back in Bitritto consisting of fresh burrata salad drizzled with tart cherry vinegar. Toast to the day’s discoveries with a glass of sparkling Primitivo rosé. Conclude the evening with a relaxed walk under a sky dotted with stars over the olive groves.

Take the train to Bari and wander through Bari Vecchia’s labyrinthine alleyways awash in pastel colors. Observe local nonne handmaking orecchiette in doorways, coaxing pasta into perfect ear-like shapes. Visit the Basilica di San Nicola to admire its Romanesque architecture and sacred relics.

Explore the Castello Svevo, historic fortress overlooking the port, and learn about its strategic role in medieval defenses. Walk along the Lungomare Nazario Sauro, breathing in the scent of saltwater and listening to waves gently lapping against the rocks. Pause at a chiosco to taste focaccia barese topped with olives and cherry tomatoes.

Sample the city’s famed gelato at a coastal gelateria before returning to Bitritto. Enjoy a casual dinner of grilled fish and seasonal vegetables at a family-run ristorante. Relax in a neighborhood piazza with a final glass of limoncello, embracing Puglia’s warm hospitality.

Depart early for Matera, UNESCO-listed for its ancient Sassi cave dwellings carved into limestone cliffs. Explore the rock churches adorned with medieval frescoes and learn about the city’s millennia-old history. Take in dramatic views from Piazza Duomo overlooking the winding canyon below.

Visit a cave restaurant nestled within the historic district for a lunch of rich ribollita soup and grilled vegetables. Join a guided tour that descends into ancient cisterns and underground waterways used by past inhabitants. Photograph the honey-colored architecture as golden light paints the stone walls.

Return to Bitritto and unwind with a light dinner of ricotta-stuffed zucchini blossoms. Engage in conversation with musicians playing acoustic guitar in the square. Sip on a robust espresso to savor the last moments of an unforgettable day.

Head to Ostuni, nicknamed the White City, and ascend its maze of alabaster streets reflecting bright morning light. Stop at a panoramic terrace to admire sweeping coastal views of the Adriatic Sea. Explore the baroque Duomo facade and linger in shadowed courtyards.

Drive down to a nearby beach like Torre Guaceto for a refreshing swim in crystal waters. Relax on golden sands shaded by Mediterranean pines and dip in the protected marine reserve. Enjoy a seaside picnic of focaccia, sun-ripened tomatoes, and chilled local white wine.

Return to Bitritto’s town center for a convivial aperitivo with an array of local olive oil drizzles on bread. Join neighbors at a traditional mass in the Church of San Michele Arcangelo or listen to church bells echoing through the streets. Complete the evening with a slice of pastiera, a ricotta and candied fruit cake.

Enjoy a slow breakfast of fresh brioche and cappuccino at a corner café, savoring the calm morning ambiance. Rent a bicycle and pedal along country lanes lined with olive groves and flowering almonds. Pause beneath a centuries-old tree to admire the endless Puglian landscape.

Visit a local olive oil mill to learn about its production and bring home a bottle of award-winning extra-virgin olive oil. Wander through small artisan shops to pick up ceramics, linen tablecloths, and other handcrafted souvenirs. Have a light lunch of panini filled with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, and crisp arugula.

Gather with newfound friends at a family home for a traditional farewell feast, with long tables groaning under pastas, roasted vegetables, and regional wines. Share laughter and memories of the past ten days as folk songs play softly in the background. Toast to future travels under a sky alight with southern Italian stars.