By
Rebecca Gibson |
The Southern Adriatic Seaport Authority and the Regional Agency of Tourism Puglia have signed a three-year agreement to promote the Italian region of Puglia as destination for cruise operators and their passengers.
Part of the Puglia 365 Strategic Tourism Plan, the agreement will see the two organisations collaborating to upgrade the tourist reception facilities and improve the overall visitor experience at the region’s airports and the five cruise ports managed by the newly formed Southern Adriatic Seaport Authority: Bari, Brindisi, Manfredonia, Barletta and Monopoli. Cruise passengers, for example, will be given information about what’s on offer at various destinations in Puglia so they can make the most of their time in the region during their ship call.
Cruise numbers are already on the rise the Puglia region. Bari is set to be the busiest port in 2018 as it is scheduled to receive 211 calls, a significant rise from 142 in 2017. Meanwhile, Brindisi will host 46 calls (up from 21), Monopoli will handle 23 ship visits (up from 14) and Manfredonia, which didn’t have any cruise visitors in 2017, will welcome two calls this year. It is hoped the new partnership will further increase the number of calls in the future.
Boasting two passenger terminals, the Port of Bari is the main port in the Adriatic Sea and has three cruise quays that can accommodate cruise vessels of up to 330 metres in length with a maximum draft of 12 metres. The well-equipped facility is located within a short driving distance of both the railway station and the airport, making it easily accessible for both domestic and international cruise passengers. Hence, it is a popular port for cruise lines wanting to make turnaround calls or homeport their vessels in Italy. Regular callers include major operators such as MSC Cruises, TUI Cruises, Holland America Line and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The Port of Bari also provides passenger ferry services from Italy to Greece.
Known as the capital of Italy’s Puglia region, Bari has both a modern and historic city centre, which is located just 800 metres from the port. Popular attractions include Castel del Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was built in the 13th century; Basilica di San Nicola, a place of pilgrimage for Catholic and Orthodox Christians; the Cattedrale di San Sabino; a fortress with towers dating back to the Norman era; and Bari Vecchia old town, which has various historic monuments, as well as lively bars and restaurants. There are also two traditional Italian piazzas – Piazza Mercentile and Piazza del Ferrarese – which are surrounded by boutiques and eateries.
Located almost 120 kilometres from Bari and close to both an airport and a railway station, the Port of Brindisi has three cruise quays and can accommodate cruise ships of up to 330 metres in length with a draft of 11 metres. The port, which has a modern passenger terminal, can handle day visits, turnaround calls and homeporting vessels. This year, it will welcome frequent calls from both MSC Cruises’ MSC Musica and Seabourn’s Seabourn Odyssey.
Cruise guests can walk (or take a free shuttle) to the centre of Brindisi, which has a rich history spanning more than three millennia. In addition to palm-tree lined boulevards and a revamped seafront promenade with restaurants and bars, Brindisi is home to multiple historical monuments and buildings. Highlights include the ancient Via Appia, which was built by the Romans to connect Brindisi with Rome; Baroque churches and a cathedral; Alfonsino Castle; the Norman-Swabian Castle, a fortress built on the outer rim of the old city; the Temple of San Giovanni al Sepolcro and more. Other shore excursion possibilities for cruise guests include trips to the city of Ostuni; Egnazia Archaeological Park; the WWF Torre Guaceto nature reserve; Lecce, which is known as the ‘Florence of the South’; and the seaside towns of Otranto and Gallipoli.
Popular with small luxury cruise vessels, the historic town of Monopoli is located just 45 kilometres from Bari and provides cruise guests with a gateway to many of the southern Adriatic Coast’s main attractions. Not only does Monopoli have 19 churches, countless cobblestone alleys and a 16th century castle, but it also offers restaurants and bars in its Capitolo beach resort, 24 small bays along its 14-kilometre-long coast, and multiple shore excursion and tour options. Just a few kilometres outside of Monopoli is the town of Castellana Grotte, where guests can take guided tours of caves that began to form around 90 million years ago. Alternatively, guests can visit Alberobello to see the trulli, traditional drywall limestone houses with conical roofs that are one of 53 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Italy.
Like Monopoli, the Port of Manfredonia has the capacity to welcome smaller cruise vessels. The town is located on the slopes of Gargano National Park and has coves and sea caves, golden-sand beaches and multiple historic attractions. Tourist attractions include a medieval castle built by King Manfred and the archaeological site of Santa Maria di Siponto, which features both the Santa Maria Maggiore di Siponto church and a wire mesh Basilica di Siponto by Milanese artist Edoardo Tresoldi, which sits on the ruins of an early Christian basilica.
Other nearby places of interest include the seaside resort of Siponto, the 400-hectare nature reserve Umbra Forest and the five-island Isole Tremiti archipelago, which can be reached by passenger ferry. While on the islands, guests can tour the 11th-century Santa Maria a Mare abbey, Castello dei Badiali fortress, the Ripa dei Falconi breeding ground for rare falcons, white-sand beaches, diving spots and sea caves that are home to multiple species of animals and plants.