a very pleasant stay is had in our 5-star hotel in outer bari
a buffet breakfast is part of the deal in the busy restaurant
it seems like a lifetime ago since being part of that scene
random strangers gathering around the troughs for food
but pleasant enough and entirely practical for today's plans
then into the car and pushing further down the eastern coast
a very specific target about an hour's drive away - alberobello
this unique town also featured on the italy top-to-toe tv series
it's all about the small houses and their cone shaped stone roofs
we spot a few on approach to the town and more as we enter
parking is at a premium with this place a clear tourist hotspot
with the car abandoned we then walk around the narrow streets
it is all so pretty - white houses with grey roofs and blue sky
many of the small houses are homes and others are shops
a few open for inspection to see the construction up close
the many streets running up, down and around the town
every turn of every corner revealing another stunning view
and the locals happy to be part of the culture of this place
a couple seen preforming a traditional song and dance
one elderly gentleman showing off spinning top skills
another lady seen making pasta while selling fresh figs
a stash of those bought and consumed while wandering
more dried figs added to the collection before coffee calls
we admire the views at a point over-looking a large area
pointy roofs dominating the scene across and over the town
and a cafe spotted - a seat taken and coffee shakaratos downed
we then bravely plunge into the area of the heaviest foot traffic
diving in and out of some of the many small boutique shops
a photography shop offers all manner of photos of the town
there's a wine shop making use of the constant temperature
this explained in a shop of locally made miniature houses
the workers there explaining the triple density construction
meters thick at the base to support the layered stone roof
fascinating and we agree this town has justified our journey
which needs to be resumed - we have a 5 hour trip to complete
this time we cut across italy at a lower point towards naples
the landscape flatter but the rural scenery still impressive
it all looks quite lush even after months of little or no rain
and clearly prime agricultural land for orchards and vineyards
we plan a stop at the royal palace at caserta north of naples
punch it into the digital navigator and follow instructions
as we climb up a secondary road we realise our mistake
the reggia di caserta is a hilltop castle - oops not the palace
interesting but underwhelming compared to others elsewhere
and with this a realisation that maybe over-exposure is upon us
we then head directly to home to complete the long round trip
torrita tiberina has the final night of it's food and music festival
we gladly indulge in the fine and cheap food and wine on offer
ditto the entertainment - another male has-been or wanna-be
mostly recorded music with bad actors on drums and keyboards
his booming patter between songs hiding the lack of applause
a few songs is more than this musical snob can cope with
besides - we have had a long day - over and out - zzzzzz
