We're spending 2 weeks in southern Tuscany and now have a 3rd week to add on. I am really intrigued by Matera and would love to spend 2 nights there. I'm not sure how to spend the rest of our time and need advice on logistics. We have a car for the entire 3 weeks and fly in and out of Rome. Positano is on my radar too; we've been to Cinque Terre but I've always wanted to visit the Amalfi coast. Puglia looks great too! I know I need to narrow things down with such a short amount of time. Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Posted by
5174 posts
You could do the Amalfi coast for four days, then return for Rome for a night before departure. Or, you could get a little preview of Puglia. If you go to the Amalfi coast, the car is going to be a bit of an albatross--what month is the trip? If you don't want to turn it in early, just find a place with free parking.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you! We're there the last 3 weeks of this June. If we could drop the car near Amalfi that would make sense and I assume a train to Rome for our last night. I'm really undecided on which area to spend our remaining time, other than Matera.
Posted by
Washington DC
28371 posts
I think you'd find Puglia generally less tourist-mobbed than the Amalfi Coast. Alberobello does get bus tours, and some of the picturesque coastal towns are obvious targets for beach lovers, but I gather that the Amalfi area is considerably busier.
Posted by
5174 posts
Yes, while Puglia is quite popular, just a quick perusal of the forum will show you that the Amalfi Coast is where a lot of people are going this summer. A place to take advantage of the car would be the the Gargano peninsula near Bari. You don't have the powerhouse sights nearby like Pompeii and Naples, but you do have gorgeous coastline.
Or, you could do all Basilicata, and visit Maratea after Matera.
Posted by
Vancouver BC
57 posts
If you ever have seen vehicles in Italy you will notice that many have scraps all along the sides, what lines on the road, what traffic lights, what speed limits. Me I leave the driving to tour companies and if they get in a traffic accident it is not me who is paying. The Amalfi coast is full of sharp curves, lots of tour buses and cars which in summer can only go south along the coast please watch some of RS shows
Enjoy wherever you decide to go, lots of sunshine great food and wine.