Not too long ago, Bari, a southern port city, was under the grip of the mafia. However, thanks to a group of tough-as-nails nonnas and an anti-corruption mayor, this capital city of Puglia is experiencing its own Renaissance.

With flights from , Stansted and Edinburgh via , and , it's never been simpler to plan a weekend getaway to this vibrant Southern Italy seaside city. Bargain flights to Bari in March and April start at just £42 with Ryanair.

April temperatures in Bari are a comfortable 18C, soaring to 30C in August, and being in southern Italy, expect lengthy, dry summers.

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Bari's beach is a magnet for sun-seekers and water sports enthusiasts alike. The city's most renowned beach is Pane e Pomodoro, a must-visit for sea-loving locals.

Heading south, you'll find Torre a Mare and Mola di Bari with their predominantly rocky coastlines, reports .

In the city centre, you'll discover Norman fortifications and ancient passageways, as well as elegant 19th-century boulevards perfect for indulging in some Italian designer shopping. There's also a luxury shopping outlet and vintage store, not forgetting the essential Prada and Gucci.

Then there's the famous Bari promenade, considered one of the most beautiful in Italy, overlooking the clear sea and holding the title of the country's longest.

Close to the port, Bari Vecchia is a stunning labyrinth of limestone walls packed with tiny churches and sprawling basilicas. A tour of the old Bari Vecchia offers the perfect chance to delve into the heart of this Apulian capital.

The San Nicola district stretches between Bari's two ports, the old and the new, offering views of the seafront. The city's historical centre, which dates back to the Middle Ages, is surrounded by walls and dominated by the Norman-Swabian Castle, a symbol of Apulia.

Near the old town port, you'll find locals lining up for a generous slice of Puglia's traditional tomato-topped focaccia, with the longest queues often seen at Panificio Fiori and Santa Rita. Stalls are laden with fruit, vegetables and small twists of baked dough known as taralli.

Perhaps the most quintessentially Italian sight in Bari is its most famous residents - the nonnas - who sit at tables outside their homes, skilfully making and selling pasta - the local speciality is the Apulian orecchiette.

Food enthusiasts can embark on the Bari Street Food Walking Tour through the narrow streets of the historic centre, sampling the typical Bari street food loved by the locals.

However, for children visiting Bari, the must-see attraction is undoubtedly the basilica of San Nicola. It's considered the spiritual home of Santa Claus and was constructed in the 11th century after Saint Nicholas' body was brought from Myra in Turkey.

St Nick's remains lie in the crypt below ground. Other attractions worth exploring include the Bari Archaeological Museum, located in a 16th-century convent, where you can discover excavated Roman ruins and artefacts.

Italia.it also recommends: "For a tour of Bari's unique sites, we suggest the Russian Church in Bari, the only Orthodox church in Western Europe. It was constructed at the request of Tsar Nicholas II, with the foundation stone laid in 1913.

"The Arco delle Meraviglie or 'Arch of Wonders' in Bari is another must-visit for romantic travellers. Legend speaks of two young lovers hindered by her disapproving family, but united by an idea from his family. They built the arch overnight to connect their windows, bringing these lovebirds closer together.

"Lastly, don't miss out on the Rock Church of Santa Candida, considered the largest Rupestrian church in Apulia." And if you're spending a bit more time in Bari, James Bond enthusiasts might want to visit the nearby small town of Gravina in Puglia.

This is where the latest James Bond film No Time to Die was shot, and it's about an hour away by car and an hour and a half by train.