Monopoli Harbor
Monopoli has been a good base to visit the spots in Puglia we had on our list. Never mind the Adriatic vistas at every turn. I don’t know if we will make it a come back town; but it’s worthy of anyones travel considerations. Last evenings dinner at da Zi Ottvaio, 
about 50 yards from our apartment, made a good final meal, if you don’t count the croissants and espresso this morning. We’ve been careful in eating habits, but this restaurant, we understood, was known for it’s fried medley of Adriatic inhabitants. Couldn’t resist. Octopus, squid, prawns, and three small fish fried whole. Different from Penn’s, and I really like Penn’s, but, without the fries and ketchup was outstanding. 
Bari is 50 minutes north and we’ll be on the road by 10:00. We’ll explore this afternoon, turn in the rental, spend the night and rise early for our flight to Palermo. As pretty much the case anywhere we travel, even Hungary, we’ll miss Monopoli.
Our trip north followed the coast and continued our appreciation of the Southeast coast of Italy. We arrived in Bari about noon, settled into the apartment, 
and not being here but one night, started scouting for interesting spots nearby. It didn’t take long to find the castle and the central Cathedral and a “fishing shop” with a kitchen. Family fished and cooked and we stopped to check it out.
We met the family and friends, had a great time eating the freshest seafood maybe ever. 
As good as the fish were, the pasta (conchiglie) (I asked) they make daily was the hit of lunch. They were a fun group and it made a memorable meal in Bari. Coffee and pastries at a near by shop were the finishing touch to the lunch.
The walk around the old town was picturesque and the sea is, what can I say, the sea. 
Our stay for the night is in a 1700 building, young for Italy, quaint, but very nice. The best part is the owner volunteered to pick us up at 5:00AM and get us to the airport. Immediate five star rating for B&B Dei Cardinale.
Will forgo dinner and pick up a few pastries for a morning airport snack. Talk again from Sicily. Jim
More pics:
Me not praying, but should be giving thanks.