Ostuni

 18,000 steps and last hour of driving in Italy 70kms

This morning we leave around 8AM to head back to Bari to return our car rental. Say goodbye to the little cat we have been looking after with cheese treats daily, she is going to miss us and wonder where we are tonight. I think she is spoiled by all guests.

A fairly easy drive back to Bari. Andre is a bit under the weather, so that adds to the time taken to drive. It is about 1 hour drive and mostly on nice roads. Many many traffic circles, wish we had more of these, much better than stop signs.

Car needs to be returned with a full tank, we fill up at a gas station a couple of blocks past the car rental place. This is the first time we have needed to put gas in, total 77Euro for the week at 1.77 euro per liter, 850KM driven and we still had 200kms in the tank. It was a nice car to drive, but too big for around here, and I wasn't thrilled that it was brand new. It only had 1500 kms on it when we took it. I am sure we rented a compact car, sometimes and upgrade is just not what you want. When we returned the car the guy went over it with a fine tooth comb. He couldn't figure out all the bells and whistles either, it took a while before he let us go. The only thing now is waiting to see if we get any speeding tickets, you will get run over here if you don't at least try to keep up with everyone. We did get a speeding ticket once after our rental, they just charge the credit card that you used to rent the car.

We walked from the car rental return place back to central station in Bari, a couple of kms but we had time to kill. Andre made a stop at a pharmacy to get some meds, hopefully will feel better very soon. We still had about an hour before our train so killed that time at McDonalds, I know not exciting when you are in Italy, but it was right outside the train station.

A 45 minute train ride to Ostuni where we will spend 1 night. The train station is a couple of KM outside of Old Town, and a bus runs once an hour to take you into old town. We were going to try to find the bus, just follow the crowds, but the taxi drivers got us. We asked another couple if they wanted to come with us, they were day trippers so had no luggage, they were staying in Monopoli. For 20Euro split between the 2 couples we got a drive right into old town, not just to the bus stop outside of town. We thought 10Euro well spent. Hit the tourist info booth for a map and info then we are off to find our little place. Wow, not sure we took the best route, lots and lots of steps, but we made it. Andre picked this spot again, we are really in a cave here. It is cute but really small once you get your suitcases in here, and we travel light. Beside the bed there is a window so you can see the floor underneath, it really is a cave. There is also an opening at the end of the bed into the cave, a cisterm where they used to collect water, it would be quite a drop, we will not be checking that out. A really nice bathroom and that is it. This is the first time we have seen a little mini bar set up in the room as well with things to purchase.

Time to explore. Old town is not very big, but it is a little confusing. We have ended up back where we started a couple of times, a circle when we thought we were actually going somewhere. Not a bad place to get lots, very pretty, and some nice lookout spots where we can see the water in the distance. Up and down and lots of steps, but there are also some little streets for local cars that run through so you can avoid the steps sometimes and just walk hills. There is a part of the outside wall that we walked as well. We find a nice warm spot in the sun to have a break and enjoy a Spritz. Now that I no longer am driving Spritz in the afternoon will become a part of my day again.

Back to the cave for a rest, then we are off to find something for supper. It is really pretty here at night as well. There are not too many restaurants open, but we did come across a small place that was good. Andre had pasta with sausage, I have had enough pasta for a day at least and have a delicious stuffed eggplant with rice, capers and olives, I think. It was a nice change from all the pasta and pizza. We had stopped at a little place for focaccia for lunch, another favourite with tomatoes and black olives.

Call it a night after a little more walking around, tomorrow moving on again.

If I had know they were in the owner's garden I may have stolen a couple

The main square in Ostuni

Puglia produces over 3/4 of Italy's olive oil.

A Instagram door next to the lookout

The Cathedral

Where we got focaccia. 2 pieces for 5 euros

We could see them bouncing in the back seat because of the cobblestone

We decided to only get 1 magnet for Puglia and not 1 for every city we visited

A quick stop at the cathedral 

Back at the main square, looking up the other hill

Aperol and Limoncello spritz

Another city gate

Walking along the wall

Our street at night

The cathedral at night

Night club were we won't be at

Back at the main square