We had spotted quite a few of the menhirs on our list, during our stay in Otranto, but had yet to see one dolmen.  So, we decided to search for a few of them, as we left Otranto to make our way to Monopoli.This menhir was interesting, because of the two crosses carved into the stone.  We soon found the second dolmen.  We chose to drive along the coast for the rest of the trip, heading inland only when we approached Brindisi, in order to avoid having to enter into the city itself.Passing a sign for Bau Beach, we just had to stop and see what it was like!We passed through a town which had a fun mineral water dispenser.  For less than 1 euro, you could get fresh, ice cold water — you had to have an empty bottle, of course.I had booked myself into a one-bedroom apartment in the Centro Storico of Monopoli.  Susan was staying in a B&B, on the other side of the town.  So, she dropped me off at the office, where I was supposed to check in, and then she continued on her way.

The name of the place that I had booked was “Hello Apulia,” and I found it, like all of my others, on Booking.com.  The apartment was fabulous.  It had one bedroom, but there was also a sofa in the living area.  There was a nice kitchen and bathroom.  But the thing that really set it apart for me was the upstairs terrace.  This was simply spectacular!  There was a bowl of fresh fruit in the middle of the kitchen table, plus a bottle of wine, to welcome me.  I couldn’t have been happier!As anyone who has been following my posts for the last six months can tell, I love Italia!  To me, when I am there, I am in my “happy place.”  That said, I really fell in love with the city of Monopoli.  I found the exterior of the Church of San Vito to be really quite beautiful.  The weathered stone, and the plants alongside of it, all just seemed perfect together.According to a local legend, the Chiesa di San Salvatore was built by a captain of a pirate ship, after being shipwrecked with his crew near Monopoli.  Documents mentioning the church go back as far as 1180.  

Next up: More from Monopoli!

Note: This blog is written in English and Spanish, and the author takes no responsibility for the quality of any other translations which may appear.  If you have enjoyed this post, please, check out our archives for more posts from bella Puglia, and other Italian destinations.  Grazie!