A shining gem on the coast of the Valle d’Itria, perched atop a 20 metre-high limestone cliff above the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic, Polignano a Mare truly lives up to its name and literally could not be any more ‘at sea’!

The origins of this enchanting place date back to the 4th century BC when Greek settlers founded the city of Neapolis. It flourished under the Romans and was important enough for Emperor Trajan to direct his Via Traiana, built between 108-110 AD, through the town. Remains of this road include a bridge at Lama Monachile, just north of the historic centre.

Polignano offers all the right ingredients for a perfect day out. The tiny old town, reached through the Porta Vecchia gate, combines charming, white-washed streets with beautiful old churches such as the Chiesa Matrice. You may find yourself getting lost in the winding streets, but you won’t mind at all. Before you know it, you will have reached one of three panoramic terraces offering breathtaking views of the beautiful Adriatic Sea and coastline.

After a stroll through the town and a coffee in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, why not pop down to the Blue Flag beach, just a few minutes’ walk from the old centre? A firm favourite with the locals, the beach has crystal clear waters and is flanked on two sides by cliffs from which children and teenagers dive all through the day until sunset.

...the beach has crystal clear waters and is flanked on two sides by cliffs from which children and teenagers dive all through the day until sunset.
Polignano is famous throughout the world for three things. First of all is, as hinted at above, cliff diving. In recent years the town has hosted the Red Bull diving competition, attracting crowds of 45,000 people in 2010! Second is its outstanding ice-cream, which you really cannot afford to miss on a hot summer’s evening. The third and possibly most famous export of Polignano a Mare, however, is the great Domenico Modugno, who wrote and sang numerous classic songs, including the massive international hit, Volare (originally entitled Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu)! The locals are incredibly proud of their favourite son and rightly so. As you wander through the streets that inspired such a wonderful song, you might well find yourself involuntarily singing or whistling, “Volare, oh,oh… Cantare, oh,oh,oh,oh… Nel blu dipinto di blu… felice di stare lassù…”.

One of the advantages when travelling is to see the destination like a local, you avoid high prices and of course much flexibility in planning your itinerary. Also you save on the cost which tourists typically pay.
Below is a restaurant built into the cave, didn't eat there..knew it would cost an arm and a leg. Instead, enjoyed the view from the sea on a pedalo, €15 for two hours. Bargain.

The view from land, buildings sit atop the cliff with people virtually hanging their laundry over the sea. Lots of diving for the brave, (not me, I cannot swim) and ofcourse a few stories of death of careless divers.

Being a seaside town, the main industry is fishing which means lots of fresh seafood. Dinning in a local restaurant will set you back about €25 euros but find your way to the market (make sure you get there before 1pm and you can get a 1kilo of these bad boys for a tenner.

The caves are accessible either by swimming or on a pedalo. Makes one truly aware of how frail we are in the face of Mother Nature.

Nice thread. And that restaurant, I think I would pay the arm and leg just to see the view from inside.

I cant wait to travel more extensively outside the US.

EnlightenedSoul:
Nice thread. And that restaurant, I think I would pay the arm and leg just to see the view from inside.

I cant wait to travel more extensively outside the US.

I wouldn't do that if I were you, you'd be needing the same limbs to get out of the place.
I suppose if I were feeling flush, I would have as well. But Italy is the only country I have been where I ditched the tourist vibes and it's been my best holiday.
Getting around on a motorbike, swimming or atleast pretending to on wild untouched beaches, eating street food, coffee on tap, cheap local wine, the architecture, the style of the locals. I'd thoroughly recommend it, what's stopping you?

shaybebaby:

I wouldn't do that if I were you, you'd be needing the same limbs to get out of the place.
I suppose if I were feeling flush, I would have as well. But Italy is the only country I have been where I ditched the tourist vibes and it's been my best holiday.
Getting around on a motorbike, swimming or atleast pretending to on wild untouched beaches, eating street food, coffee on tap, cheap local wine, the architecture, the style of the locals. I'd thoroughly recommend it, what's stopping you?

I reckon you're right @ restaurant.

There is something to be said about going off the beaten path. I've been most successful at it when road-tripping, which, in a way, sorta tends to have a way of facilitating that attitude. But otherwise, I've been the typical tourist, with the assumption that if so many want to see the sites and sights to be had, they're probably worth seeing? Unless, I've been there numerous times and have had the chance to explore the destination at a much deeper level, which has been rewarding in it's own right, so I get it.

It sounds like you've had a fun time of it. I'll take you up on the rec. I plan to make a point of it, but I can't travel just yet, internationally anyway, due to being tied up with school and such. As a side note, I'd def recommend learning to swim. It's totally worth it, and loads better than pretending. Plus, your bod will thank you. Heh, there goes my daily plug for swim

I love Italy, my family took childhood vacations there to Rome. Sheybebaby, your pictures are lovely. I cannot wait for my kids to be a bit older and we start travelling the world. I have Mozambique, Italy, Thailand (Himself is scared though because of the drug issue) and some islands on my radar.

EnlightenedSoul, it's easier as a student to travel. More discounts are offered to students.

Oh I love this thread already.

More pics pls. @shaybebaby.

Like enlightenedsoul , I'd have eaten at that cave restaurant. Omg it sounds quite romantic. It's not something one does all the time.

Onegai:
I love Italy, my family took childhood vacations there to Rome. Sheybebaby, your pictures are lovely. I cannot wait for my kids to be a bit older and we start travelling the world . I have Mozambique, Italy, Thailand (Himself is scared though because of the drug issue) and some islands on my radar.

EnlightenedSoul, it's easier as a student to travel. More discounts are offered to students.

Same here. This little ma'am better start walking soon. That's all I need her to do. If she understands the trips or not Na her concern be that.

I feel so cooped up.

cococandy:


Same here. This little ma'am better start walking soon. That's all I need her to do. If she understands the trips or not Na her concern be that.

I feel so cooped up.

Lol, pele.

EnlightenedSoul:


I reckon you're right @ restaurant.

There is something to be said about going off the beaten path. I've been most successful at it when road-tripping, which, in a way, sorta tends to have a way of facilitating that attitude. But otherwise, I've been the typical tourist, with the assumption that if so many want to see the sites and sights to be had, they're probably worth seeing? Unless, I've been there numerous times and have had the chance to explore the destination at a much deeper level, which has been rewarding in it's own right, so I get it.

It sounds like you've had a fun time of it. I'll take you up on the rec. I plan to make a point of it, but I can't travel just yet, internationally anyway, due to being tied up with school and such. As a side note, I'd def recommend learning to swim. It's totally worth it, and loads better than pretending. Plus, your bod will thank you. Heh, there goes my daily plug for swim

I did have a good time but maybe I am biased. Something about the way of life over there, south of Italy is much poorer than the north but it doesn't really reflect in their way of life. Here in the UK, their laid back attitude wouldn't work, when we were trying to hire the pedalo, the guy was in the phone..in no rush to serve a queue of customers waiting in front of him( chatting about his sister, I was fuming and muttering under my breath about bad customer service, lol). Still I had a grudging admiration for him, they as people simply refuse to be rushed in anything, be it eating or even work.
About the swimming, I'll keep trying.. Just need to conquer my fear.. Of everything it seems. I'm the typical black woman I'm afraid of anything that isn't on solid ground.
The thing with travelling and I guess that's something road tripping provides is that you have no expectations so most things come as a pleasant surprise. Even the not so pleasant becomes something to be laughed over later.
My most profound disappointment came from visiting Mexico, I wanted to see chichen itza( not sure I spelt it correctly). I did and was disappointed, it was so heavily commercialised, the pyramids were cordoned off and you couldn't even go inside to explore. Fair enough, it requires preservation but after a 10 hr flight, it was a big letdown seeing something from the vantage position is had previously from seeing it on to, actually tv was better..they showed the insides.
Do share your journeys on the off beaten track, I'd love to see. Planning a fly drive through America one day I hope.

Onegai:
I love Italy, my family took childhood vacations there to Rome. Sheybebaby, your pictures are lovely. I cannot wait for my kids to be a bit older and we start travelling the world. I have Mozambique, Italy, Thailand (Himself is scared though because of the drug issue) and some islands on my radar.

EnlightenedSoul, it's easier as a student to travel. More discounts are offered to students.

Chicka, I used to be a travel agent and those destinations, whilst lovely for the grown ups, I doubt the kiddies would get the most out of it. I haven't been to Rome but Lawd knows I can imagine the kids sucking the joy of seeing the cathedrals and historic places. Better to visit with your boo, the kids can take their future boos when they are old enough (no spoiling of mummy and daddy's romantic time abeg).
Sicily is more family friendly, actually any of the coastal destinations, they have more to offer families as opposed to cities which are more couple friendly destinations.
I haven't taken my son yet but when I do take him to Italy, it will be in the south. Salento had some very lovely resorts and I was surprised to see beaches. Almost white sands and crystal clear waters. The kids will love it plus where better to get pizza other than the home of pizza itself.

cococandy:
Oh I love this thread already.

More pics pls. @shaybebaby.

Like enlightenedsoul , I'd have eaten at that cave restaurant. Omg it sounds quite romantic. It's not something one does all the time.

Until they bring the bill, lol. I'll post some more pics, not all of polignano, I had no storage left on my phone on this trip so got scuppered on the picture taking.
How is our little girl? Don't wait till she starts walking o, if you want to travel, now is great because you don't pay for their seats. Just a little surcharge for their luggage and accommodation.

shaybebaby:

I did have a good time but maybe I am biased. Something about the way of life over there, south of Italy is much poorer than the north but it doesn't really reflect in their way of life. Here in the UK, their laid back attitude wouldn't work, when we were trying to hire the pedalo, the guy was in the phone..in no rush to serve a queue of customers waiting in front of him( chatting about his sister, I was fuming and muttering under my breath about bad customer service, lol). Still I had a grudging admiration for him, they as people simply refuse to be rushed in anything, be it eating or even work.
About the swimming, I'll keep trying.. Just need to conquer my fear.. Of everything it seems. I'm the typical black woman I'm afraid of anything that isn't on solid ground.
The thing with travelling and I guess that's something road tripping provides is that you have no expectations so most things come as a pleasant surprise. Even the not so pleasant becomes something to be laughed over later.
My most profound disappointment came from visiting Mexico, I wanted to see chichen itza( not sure I spelt it correctly). I did and was disappointed, it was so heavily commercialised, the pyramids were cordoned off and you couldn't even go inside to explore. Fair enough, it requires preservation but after a 10 hr flight, it was a big letdown seeing something from the vantage position is had previously from seeing it on to, actually tv was better..they showed the insides.
Do share your journeys on the off beaten track, I'd love to see. Planning a fly drive through America one day I hope.

I googled and saw pics of people around Teotihuacan, so maybe that would be more accessible.

South of Italy, Thanks for the tip. How does one search for deals from Nigeria though? I've never seen any offered here.

shaybebaby:

Until they bring the bill, lol. I'll post some more pics, not all of polignano, I had no storage left on my phone on this trip so got scuppered on the picture taking.
How is our little girl? Don't wait till she starts walking o, if you want to travel, now is great because you don't pay for their seats. Just a little surcharge for their luggage and accommodation.

Yea but I don't wanna have to carry her on my body all day long. Who wants to lug a stroller on a vacation? I don't know I feel like I may not feel free

Onegai:
I love Italy, my family took childhood vacations there to Rome. Sheybebaby, your pictures are lovely. I cannot wait for my kids to be a bit older and we start travelling the world. I have Mozambique, Italy, Thailand (Himself is scared though because of the drug issue) and some islands on my radar.

EnlightenedSoul, it's easier as a student to travel. More discounts are offered to students.

It's more a time issue. I need all my focus now. One of my friends' family also used to take frequent summer vacations there. Her sister would meet her fiancé-to-be during those vacations, so I actually have something of a natural guide on that front when the time comes.

I love that you call your husband Himself. It reminded me of a book I read long ago wherein the main character refers to his father as Himself (as in short for The Man Himself) and his mother as The Moms.

cococandy:

Yea but I don't wanna have to carry her on my body all day long. Who wants to lug a stroller on a vacation? I don't know I feel like I may not feel free

This is why I'm def travelling first, Coco.

Let's split the arm & leg Shay says they'd require for just an arm each, so we can both come out standing, lol

shaybebaby:
Being a seaside town, the main industry is fishing which means lots of fresh seafood. Dinning in a local restaurant will set you back about €25 euros but find your way to the market (make sure you get there before 1pm and you can get a 1kilo of these bad boys for a tenner.

Jeeezzzz what kind of a creature is that

Martin0:



Jeeezzzz what kind of a creature is that

Haba, those are prawns. Though they be quite big compared to our naija ones cos they are from different waters.

I eat a whole kilo in one sitting anytime I'm over there(im a piggies)

BTW, I ended up not going to the museum yesterday.
Saw a movie instead.

shaybebaby:

Haba, those are prawns. Though they be quite big compared to our naija ones cos they are from different waters.

I eat a whole kilo in one sitting anytime I'm over there(im a piggies)

BTW, I ended up not going to the museum yesterday.
Saw a movie instead.

Jeeezzz that too big,I can't have that in my soup!! Never

Uhmmm you eat a whole kilo na wa oooo shaybaby

Eh eh after u don give me hope finish abi,well u do wel

I planed going to the cinema but Nairaland fun was my best option,I enjoyed the Nairaland yesterday