My Trip to Manfredonia
Alright, let me tell you about this trip I took to Manfredonia. Wasn’t really a place I’d heard loads about, you know? But I had a bit of time, saw some cheap flights pop up, and thought, “Eh, why not?” Just packed a small bag and decided to head out there, see what it was all about.
Getting there was pretty straightforward. Flew into a nearby airport, then got a bus or maybe it was a train… honestly can’t remember exactly, just followed the signs and asked around. Ended up in the town, found the little place I’d booked online. It was basic, but clean, close enough to the sea.
First thing I did was just dump my bag and go for a walk. Headed straight for the water. You get that sea smell straight away. Walked along the promenade, the lungomare they call it I think. It wasn’t super crowded, which was nice. Just locals out for a stroll, some fishermen sorting their nets. Pretty chill vibe.
Checking Out the Castle
You can’t miss the castle, it’s massive. Stands right there guarding the harbor. So, the next day, I decided that was my main mission. Went over there, paid the small fee to get in. Spent a good couple of hours just wandering around inside. Walked up on the ramparts, looked out over the town and the sea. You get some really good views from up there. It felt really old, solid. Took a few snaps on my phone, but mostly just looked around. It wasn’t overrun with tourists, felt quite peaceful actually.
Just Wandering and Eating
A lot of my time was spent just… walking. No real plan. Down the main streets, then ducking into the smaller side alleys. That’s where you see the real stuff, right? Laundry hanging out, old folks sitting on chairs outside their doors, kids kicking a ball around. Found a little square, grabbed an espresso at a cafe, just sat and watched people for a bit.
Food was good, honest stuff. It’s a port town, so seafood is everywhere. Didn’t go anywhere fancy. Found a couple of trattorias that looked busy with Italians – always a good sign. Had some simple pasta dishes, grilled fish one night. Drank the house wine. Nothing complicated, just tasty and filling. And it didn’t cost an arm and a leg either.
- Walked along the harbor quite a bit.
- Saw the fishing boats coming in and out.
- Visited a church or two, just popped my head in.
- Tried some local pastries I saw in a shop window.
So yeah, Manfredonia. It’s not a place that screams for attention. It’s kind of quiet, maybe a bit rough around the edges in places. But it felt real. If you’re looking for banging clubs and designer shops, this ain’t it. But if you want to see a proper Italian seaside town, eat some decent food, see a big old castle, and just slow down for a few days? It worked for me. Was glad I went. Just a simple, straightforward trip, really.
