Mother Church of San Giorgio Martire
Saturday / Sunday 13/14.4.24
This trip is badged “Rail Discoveries” which is a junior brand to “Great Rail” with whom we have travelled a number of times. Much of the paperwork issued says Great Rail and our guide works for both. The major difference is that RD tends to have larger groups – we are 37 and should have been 39 but illness struck preventing one couple travelling.
The flight is British Airways and it is sad to reflect that this former national symbol of an airline is now such a poor reflection of the nation and competence. They seem unable to manage a full trolley service and there is little available for diabetics – plus the staff just do not appear to want to care for passengers. Downgrade your staff and service and yet the prices continue.
Our destination by plane is Bari and once there we gather until the party has assembled and we have a waiting coach to take us to a hotel a couple of miles outside Polignano a Mare at the Pietrablu Resort. Apparently the resort only re-opened a couple of days ago and at the moment we make up the majority of guests, although more arrive as the week progresses. The rooms are spacious – we have a bedroom and another room, plus two bathrooms.
Locortondo
Come Sunday morning we are soon on the road with two small hill towns being our destinations today. First Locorotondo where we have a little walk into the town centre and we take a slightly devious route around this somewhat charming town with some marvellous views over the valley towards another town – Alberobello – with huge numbers of Trulli houses which we shall visit later in the week. There are one or two quirky aspects of Locorotondo – so a few photos to show window displays and a bicycle!
Locortondo
In the valley between the two towns is a railway which runs between Bari and Taranto and I see a train pass by whilst looking at the view.
The second town visited is the slightly smaller Martina Franca which is slightly south of Locorotondo. We walk into the town square and it is pleasant enough – but very warm today, probably warmer than we were expecting.
So it is time to contemplate a sit down and a cup of coffee and perhaps an ice cream. Italians as ever seem to dislike us more than the French. We wanted a cup of coffee and did not want to walk all the way back out of the town but all of the places in the square that had chairs available out of a very hot sun did not want to serve just a coffee. We do eventually find a place but choosing a coffee proves difficult.
We return to the hotel for a surprisingly excellent lunch – surprising in that it is a full meal and not just some light pickings or similar – one lunch later in the week has a full roast beef.
We decide not to join the trip to the local town of Pogliano a Mere – there will be opportunities later in the week but given that there is currently sunshine and a pool (which inevitably is cold) lying in the sun seems far more welcome than more walking. Well until such time as the hotel team note that it is too quiet and that some amplified music would improve matters! Never mind I am sure it is more appropriate later in the season!