Unmissable Sailing Trip in Trani

Early in the morning, I had breakfast by the sea. I sat at an outdoor table at a bar on Via Statuti Marittimi. This street runs along the port of Trani. Across from me, I noticed an elegant sailboat docking at Molo Sant'Antuono. A sign there showed the operator "Turisti in Puglia." The sea was slightly choppy, and I immediately had an idea: try it that morning.

I went to the boarding point to ask for information. The skipper told me the departure was in an hour. But I needed to visit the agency first. There was no ticket office at the dock. The office is on Via Fra' Diego Alvarez, about 400 meters behind the port.

I walked up Piazza Quercia, then along Via San Giorgio and Via Mario Pagano. I easily reached the agency. They explained everything very kindly: departure at 10, return at 13, coastal route with a swim stop, and an aperitif option onboard. They made it clear it was a private boat rental. It costs about 200-250 euros total for up to 4 people, depending on the season. So, the cost is split among participants. In my case, there were four of us, so I split the boat cost: 50 each. This means the price per person varies. If you're four, it's affordable. But for two or alone, it's more expensive.

I paid with a card and got a voucher with all the useful details, including the skipper's number. Departure was soon, and to save time, the staff called the skipper directly. They even walked me to the boat.

There were only a few of us on board. It was a very relaxed situation. I settled at the stern, on one of the benches shaded by the canopy. As soon as we left the port, the engines were turned off. Only the sound of the wind in the sails and water against the hull remained.

As we sailed north along the coast, the boat stopped. We got to see the Cathedral of San Nicola Pellegrino from the sea. It's a perspective you can't get from land.

Further on, near the Ponente seafront, the water changed color. It became clearer. Here, the skipper dropped anchor. It was time for an aperitif, not included in the base price and managed separately (around 15 to 25 euros per person). We had prosecco, focaccia barese, taralli, cold cuts, and cheese. Nothing fancy, but everything was pleasant and fitting for the moment.

We set off south towards the inlet of the Monastery of Santa Maria di Colonna. Its light facade faces the sea. At Punta di Colonna, the boat turned around.

The return was perhaps the best part. The Cathedral of Trani slowly approached from the sea. We returned to the port where we started. I had breakfast there just hours before, watching that same boat from the other side. Being on the boat and seeing the same port from the sea changed my mood. It's like seeing things from the other side changes how you experience them.