Originally Posted by YVR Cockroach

Two places/regions around Bari of note:

Matera and Alberobello. Worth at least a night in each. Puglia region towards the "heel" (~Lecce) said to be quite nice too.

If the ferry arrives in Bari in the evening, worth spending a night for the food. Warm antepastos for one.

Originally Posted by KLouis

Lecce is one of the most amazingly beautiful barocco cities in Italy. Especially stunning when you arrive in the evening when almost all buildings are illuminated. Forget your new BMW in the city, no cars allowed, you'll have to leave it parked!