Accommodations in the boot of Italy

The whole country of Italy is generally referred to as a boot. (See name of this section: "To the Boot".) Do you mean the heel, or maybe the toe? Which regions?

On our Rick Steves tour of Sicily and Southern Italy we stayed at Hotel Sassi in Matera (in the arch of the boot). Matera is a largish town, small city and probably has a selection of lodgings.

Thanks. Since you took Ricky's tour of Sicily, what were the highlights and is it worth going to Segesta???

thanks,
jeanie

Jeanie, you can drive from Bari to Sicily in the day. Matera is a lovely town to visit...I had two nights there. In Sicily, I have stayed in Trapani to have local bus access to both Erice and Segesta. Segesta has the Doric style temple, and further uphill, a theatre, and remains of an agora. Quite a few civilizations have left their mark there. Erice is a pretty medieval hill town. I have visited both places twice - obviously well worth visiting as far as my interests go. Enjoy. Pat

If you want an overnight stop near Bari, then Matera would be a good choice. Hotel Sassi is definitely an interesting place to stay and the area around it is fascinating. You could stop in Alberobello on the way to Matera to see the truilli houses. Not much of tourist interest between Matera and Sicily, so you might consider driving straight through if the stop in Matera doesn't fit your plans.