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.
Give Alberobello one night - to stay in a Trullo. Pietradimora was well located, pretty comfortable, well run and reasonable. Eat at La Cantina. It's small so have your host make a reservation.
Give Matera 3 nights if you can. Check into staying at Palazzo Degli Abate. When we stayed, parking was right in front, rare in the Sassi. Ristorante Bacchus nearby is quite good. The Sassi are intriguing, esp. at night. If you can arrange it, visit the Crypt of the Original Sin.
These tips are based on a visit to Matera and Puglia in May, 2014. Btw, weather coming off the Adriatic can be extreme and changeable. Be prepared.