I am just starting to plan a 3 week itinerary ( appx 18 nights) to Southern Italy, mainly to Campania and Puglia.
We would like a leisurely trip, basically soaking in local culture. We are experienced travelers and were in this part of Italy appx 50 years ago. (That's a long time!) I'm thinking of 3 to 4 nights in Naples or environs. We'd like to revisit Pompeii, and possibly walk around Vesuvius.
Then, we'd head over to Puglia , most likely by train. That gives us app. 2 weeks in that province including 2 to 3 nights in Matera.
We'll be traveling by local transportation via bus or train. We may employ the services if a car and driver if necessary.
We enjoy walking, hiking, regional food and its preparation, people watching and getting to know the local population. We tend to avoid heavily touristed areas. We live in Florida so beaches are not important.
Any suggestions would be most welcomed.
Thank you!
Posted by
CA, USA
1129 posts
We were in Puglia last month for about a week. There aren't a lot of guidebooks to the region although one older one we used is "Lonely Planet Puglia & Basilicata". Sights are as described although their description of train times between towns was inaccurate (less frequent than in the book and usually slower). You can find a fair number of people that have blogged about stays in towns in the region and these often give flavor the guidebooks miss (local restaurants, foods to try, smaller sights to see, etc). Also on YouTube you can find 5-30 minute walking tours people have posted.
It was still hot while we were there and in smaller towns (Gallipoli, Monopoli, etc) stores typically closed from 1pm until 3 or 4pm. Some (not all) restaurants stayed open longer in the early afternoon. I suspect these are the year-round hours in rural Italy. So on a day trip you get out in the morning, explore the town, have lunch, then return and have a free afternoon.
The Trenitalia app was great, although you'll need a data plan to use it. We didn't buy a return ticket in advance, on day trips we'd note when the returning trains were and then depending on how long we wanted to stay once there bought our return ticket in the app 20 minutes or so before the train we decided to take back.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
On our first trip to Puglia, we found this blog very helpful. Info was spot on.
https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/8-towns-not-to-miss-in-puglia/
Posted by
North Italy
314 posts
Anywhere between Barletta and Monopoli on the east coast makes a good base to visit some delightful towns and cities by train: Bari, Lecce, Brindisi, Monopoli, Poligano a Mare and Trani.
Trani is my favourite town in Puglia
https://slowtravelitalyspain.blogspot.com/2023/04/why-i-love-trani.html
Don't miss somewhere in Valle d'Itria too. This trip was very well planned in my opinion and has good info about transport:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g187873-i798-k14551734-Trip_Report_Our_FIRST_visit_to_Puglia_and_Matera-Puglia.html
More info about various destinations in Puglia:
https://bit.ly/3BkumFp
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7334 posts
I’m bookmarking your post since I will be in Puglia, Abruzzo & Umbria for a month next May so am interested in the responses you receive.
Just an FYI, I have reservations for Trani, Bari (for the San Nicola festival), Alberobello, Martina Franca, Lecce, Ostuni & Polignano a Mare during those two weeks. I’m traveling by train for almost all of it.
Posted by
seattle
2048 posts
We just spent 8 nights in Naples in the Vomero neighborhood. We loved the area. Good transportation by metro or funicular into the historic part of the city. We then went down the Amalfi coast to Minori for a few nights. From there to Salernoand over to Matera. Bus an option for all of this, though we have a rental car.
Posted by
168 posts
I am planning on Southern Italy and these exact places for November 2024. I am planning on public transpo throughout (S, F, 29+++++++). Checking now I get a good feel of where I can go, when I can go there and if I can return from wherever there may be. One Sunday had a travel by train problem but bus was available.
What I have found is that these towns are almost all mentioned in best towns of SI, most quaint towns in Puglia, unique towns in SI and yes there are lots of youtube videos.
Keep posting as would love to read about your trip(s).
Posted by
Sacramento, CA
215 posts
I didn’t see when you are planning to go and weather could influence choices.
I strongly recommend that you include Lecce in your trip both in terms of what there is to see and do and in terms of food. Known as the “Florence of the South.” It is slightly more touristy than some places but will not be anything like Rome, Florence or Venice in terms of crowds.
Sila might be an option if you want hiking.