Rickshaw, Street Food

Rickshaw, Street Food, 2 hours, rated 4.8 across 146 traveller reviews.

Overview

This two-hour ride puts you in an eco-friendly rickshaw, rolling from the meeting point near Piazza Mercantile through Bari Vecchia and out toward the modern city, with a multilingual local guide providing commentary along the way in a choice of five languages. You pass the Basilica of Saint Nicholas and its crypt, the Cathedral of Saint Sabinus, and the exterior of the Swabian Castle.

Between the sights, the tour works in a series of tasting stops in the old town. A bakery shows how focaccia barese is made and gives you a slice to taste, a rotisserie serves bread with octopus, a street corner brings fried specialities such as sgagliozze or panzerotti, and a gelateria finishes things off with hand-produced ice cream. The route then continues past the theatres and shopping streets of the French-era city, the seafront and the fish market.

It suits travellers who want history and food in one outing without much walking. Reviewers consistently praise the guides as knowledgeable and engaging, and more than one describes the food as excellent.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Strada VallisaThe tour starts at Strada Vallisa 81, at the VELO SERVICE Tour & Rental store a few steps from Piazza Mercantile.
2. Street food stop, 15 minutesA first tasting stop in the old town lasting 15 minutes.
3. Guided rickshaw tourThe rickshaw ride covers the Basilica of Saint Nicholas with its crypt, the Cathedral of Saint Sabinus, the exterior of the Swabian Castle and the squares of the modern city, including the seafront and fish market.
4. Food tasting, 30 minutesTastings include focaccia barese at a panificio, bread with octopus at a rotisserie, fried sgagliozze or panzerotti, and gelato at a gelateria.
5. Return to Velo ServiceThe tour finishes back at the Velo Service store.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points worth knowing before booking this ride and tasting combination.

• Come hungry. One reviewer advised light eaters not to eat before the food tasting.
• Little walking. You sit in the rickshaw for most of the route, described as a comfortable way to explore the city. Museum and attraction entry fees are not included, so budget separately if you plan to go inside anything.
• Guides rotate. Reviewers consistently describe the guides as knowledgeable, funny and engaging, with good German and English noted by several travellers.
• Weather matters. The tour may be subject to change in adverse weather or if the minimum number of participants is not reached. Keep some flexibility in your day.
• Dietary needs. Vegetarian and lactose-free options are available on request. Ask at booking or tell the guide at the start rather than waiting until the tasting stops.
• Timing realism. The stated duration is two hours, though one reviewer found the eating adds time beyond that. Plan the rest of your day with some slack.

Common issues. The tour may be subject to change if the minimum participant number is not reached, or in bad weather, and that it can run bilingually depending on the group. One reviewer noted the food stops stretch the outing beyond the stated two hours, so expect the full experience to run longer. Entrance fees to museums and attractions are not covered. In a single review, a guide's rickshaw had a mechanical clicking sound on a hill, which appears to be an isolated incident.

Common Questions