Upon arrival in Bari, conveniently pick up your rental car at the airport (according to the instructions you will receive before departure), and then you can decide (depending on the time and mood) how to approach the day. Bari is a city of contrasts. It offers a lively harbor, modern avenues, and the winding streets of the old town. If you have time for a short stop, take a walk through the historic center of Bari Vecchia. Children will enjoy the narrow streets and local bustle, while adults will appreciate the atmosphere and the first espresso on Italian soil. The massive Castello Normanno-Svevo, which has guarded the city since the Middle Ages, is worth seeing. A pleasant conclusion can be a walk along the elegant Via Sparano da Bari. 

However, if you land later or want to save the exploration for later days, head straight to Monopoli (approx. 50-minute drive). Check in and enjoy a peaceful evening. A short walk to the sea can spice it up.

Welcome to Monopoli! This city will capture your heart from the very first step. This morning belongs to the historical center. Put on comfortable shoes and head into the alleys, where children become little explorers. The Centro Storico is a labyrinth of narrow streets, where every corner brings surprises: hidden chapels, flowering balconies, and local nonnas hanging out laundry. Let yourself get a little lost on purpose. The reward can be delicious ice cream.

Tip: The midday heat (13:00–16:00) is an ideal time for a short rest. Most shops and local restaurants close. Be careful to secure lunch. In the evening, the city wakes up again and the waterfront and businesses come to life.

Alberobello is not a place to be missed. This small Apulian town looks like it was invented by a storyteller. Thousands of white houses with cone-shaped roofs, called trulli, huddle along narrow streets, and their silhouette is unlike anything else in the world. That's why they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tip: Head out in the morning while other tourists are still asleep.

If you drive south from Monopoli towards Capitolo, you'll discover several beautiful sandy beaches and beach clubs. In this area, the beaches are wide and sandy with a gentle entry into the water, which is safer for children than rocky coves. The journey takes approximately 10-15 minutes. You can park directly at the beach club.

Just a 15-minute drive along the coastal road from Monopoli lies a place that will take your breath away at first sight. Polignano a Mare is an ancient white city that doesn't grow out of a plain or a hill, but directly from the cliffs above the turquoise Adriatic Sea. The streets wind along the cliff, the houses hang over the abyss, and below, far below you, the sea crashes against the rocks. The town is famous as the birthplace of Domenico Modugno, the singer and composer whose song Volare became one of the most famous Italian melodies of all time. His bronze statue stands on a panoramic terrace overlooking the sea with his arms outstretched, as if he were about to fly.

Polignano is not big. You can walk through the historical center in an hour, but that would be a shame. It's not worth rushing here. Every alley hides a different view, every arch opens into a new square, and every step brings you closer to the sea, which can be seen, heard, and felt from everywhere here. On the street, you can meet vendors of fruits and vegetables, excellent dried fruits, such as tomatoes, which you should definitely try.

Tip: Children will definitely appreciate a part of the day on the beach.

Last day and transfer to the airport where you return the rental car. Leave a margin and maybe you'll have time for one more Italian espresso before departure. Don't forget to be at the airport well in advance.