L'Italo-Americano

LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE tasting heaven, then look no fur- ther than a good, hot panzerotto: Bari's own traditional street food is made with bread dough filled with mozzarella, tomatoes and other fillings, then deep fried. If you have visited Naples before, you may have come across it as pizza fritta. It's good, it's fried, it can be eaten while you walk around — no ban like the one in Rome here, yet: what's not to like? Bari's old town is the perfect place to explore on foot, but bikes have become a popular alterna- tive in recent times: there is a tad of magic and poetry attached to the idea of pedaling around the city's old, tiny streets, and barese people know it, to the point they created a service, called Velo Service, that offers bikes, seg- ways and rickshaws for rent. If you want, you can even join orga- nized bike tours of the Città Vec- chia: a great way to explore and, who knows, make new friends! Night time Bari is also a great place. Bari's lively cultural scene is centered on its university, home to more than half a million students. Near Piazza Garibaldi, west of the old town, Lonely Planet suggests Officina deegli Esordi, a multi-function art and entertainment center that can host anything from live music to art exhibitions and movies. More culture awaits on the other side of the Città Vecchia, at the Prinz- Zaum bookshop, known for offering customers not only books, but also comfy seats and coffees to rest and relax. Here, events are also organized. There is a lot to do in Bari but, if you have some more time, you may hop on a car and visit its sur- roundings, too. For instance, did you know that Matera, Europe's 2019 Capital of Culture, is only 60 minutes away? Same is the distance between Bari and iconic Alberobello, the village of the trulli. There is a world in and around Bari, all to be discovered. Puglia's capital has always been beautiful. Yet, it almost felt like it had been forgotten for a long time: Bari, the administra- tive centre, Bari the Adriatic port, but rarely Bari, the art spot. Today, thanks to the work of its people and of the region, the city has finally achieved a well deserved spot in the limelight. Visiting it is a must, especially now, when its authentic atmos- phere and traditional ways are still alive and well, unspoiled by excessive tourism and crass con- sumerism. Go check it out, and don't forget to get a hot panzerot- to on the way back! THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019 www.italoamericano.org 24 L'Italo-Americano Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Bari (© Dreamstime) Octopus, a staple of Bari's cuisine (© Dreamstime) Continued from page 22

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