Ireland are playing Italy in a WC qualier on April 1. Not the easiest place to get to but I’m doing my best.
Any tips on the city or on places to stay would be most welcome. Also, access to the stadium and good restaurants. I’m not on a fixed budget so would rather stay somewhere decent.
Thanks!
I have no experience of Bari itself, but I reckon it might be cheaper to fly to Rome or Milan and then reach Bari by train - internal flights are quite expensive in Italy, and it could be a bit of a hassle to drive around Italian cities. If you decide to follow my advice, travel to Bari a few days in advance, or the trains could be overcrowded with football supporters on a budget trying to reach there as late as possible to save on accommodation. Use the official website of the Italian Railways, as they sell tickets directly - anybody else is going to charge a commission. The difference between first and second class is not that great, so do splurge a bit on first class. Oh, and take an EuroStar train: they are newer, faster, more comfortable and most importantly they have priority on the rails, so you don’t have to wait behind slow local trains.
You might as well take it easy and take in the surroundings, take pictures, enjoy the food and so on, and then remember to post about your adventure here! 
In April the weather should be nice, but usually not yet summery enough to wear only shorts and a T-shirt, although as a doughty Irishman maybe you could!
Ha! Thanks for the advice. I think I’m going to take several weeks off and enjoy myself. All my holidays are back home to Dublin with a visit to London.
Ryanair not flying to Bari yet? Shame.
They may be for this match but I don’t think so. I’m going to do Rome and then take a train to Bari then back to Rome.
I’ve been there. Shot a job many years ago in the countryside near there. The town is just gorgeous. The roofs especially are lovely. Curved.
Food is fantastic. Be prepared to enjoy the village on foot.
Cartooniverse
Village? A city with more than 300,000 inhabitants? 
And curved roofs? Hang on… Are you thinking of Alberobello?
Actually, yes. Also, flights with easyJet from Rome to Bari for March/April are currently €80-ish return, possibly an easier option than the train.