I never expected a simple online tool to change my travel plans, let alone lead me to one of the most beautiful trips I’ve ever taken. One quiet evening, I came across a random travel destination generator. I clicked it out of curiosity, not commitment. I had no intention of actually going wherever it told me to. It was just a fun experiment.
But then, it gave me a destination I didn’t expect: Bari, Italy.
At first, I shrugged it off. I didn’t know much about Bari other than it was somewhere in southern Italy. But something about the name stuck with me. Later that evening, I started researching, just casually, I thought. But that casual scroll turned into two hours of looking at stunning coastline photos, charming old town streets, and countless plates of pasta and seafood. Bari wasn’t just a port city, it was a gateway to Puglia, one of Italy’s most underrated regions.
The more I read, the more I fell for it. Whitewashed towns like Alberobello and Locorotondo, crystal-clear waters near Polignano a Mare, traditional pasta-making in the streets of Bari Vecchia—it sounded like a dream. A rustic, slow-paced dream full of culture, sunshine, and incredible food.
Within a week, I’d booked my flight. It felt impulsive, but something told me to follow the lead.
What followed were 14 unforgettable days exploring Bari and the surrounding region. I spent mornings wandering the old city, sipping espresso near the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, watching locals hang laundry above cobbled streets. Afternoons were for beach hopping along the Adriatic Sea—each bay more stunning than the last. Some of my favorite stops were Monopoli, with its working harbor and authentic charm, and Polignano a Mare, perched dramatically on limestone cliffs.
The food deserves its own blog post. Puglia is famous for its simple, fresh ingredients, homemade orecchiette with turnip greens, fresh burrata, grilled octopus, and local wines like Primitivo and Negroamaro. One of my favorite experiences was watching a local nonna make pasta by hand right outside her front door. It felt like stepping into a postcard, or maybe a movie.
What made the trip so magical wasn’t just the scenery or the food, though both were outstanding. It was the spontaneity. This wasn’t something I overplanned. I didn’t follow a strict itinerary or tick off a checklist of landmarks. I let curiosity guide me, and I gave myself permission to just experience the place, fully, and in the moment.
I realized that travel doesn’t always have to be about the “big names” like Rome, Paris, or Barcelona. Some of the most authentic and soul-enriching adventures come from the places you least expect—the destinations that don’t dominate Instagram feeds or show up in every “Top 10 Places to Visit” list.
And to think, it all started with a random click.
So, would I recommend using a travel generator? Honestly, yes, at least once. Not necessarily to plan your trip for you, but to open your eyes to places you might have never considered. Let it be a spark, a starting point. You don’t have to follow every suggestion, but you might just find a hidden gem, like I did.
Bari gave me more than just a vacation. It gave me a deeper appreciation for slow travel, for wandering without expectation, and for the joy of being surprised by the world.
And next time someone asks, “How did you choose Bari?” I’ll smile and say, “A travel generator told me to go.”