Thank you to everyone who answered my other questions about other aspects of this trip. I am wondering if someone can chime in and give me their thoughts on what we will be doing on this leg of our trip as I am unfamiliar with the area we are travelling to. I have traveled three times to Rome and also visited Tuscany, Florence, and Positano but never to Puglia. I have also driven in Italy so I am familiar with with driving in another country.
In mid-September I will be travelling (actually 3 of us in total) from Rome to Canosa di Puglia. Canosa is about 50 miles north of Bari and about 25 minutes west from the town of Barletta (closest train station). I am taking my Mom there to see where her parents were born and we would probably stay a couple of nights given that it’s a 4 hour drive or train ride each way. We also thought a 2 night stay would allow a trip to City Hall to check for any records that might be available. Canosa is not a very big place and our choices of accommodations are very limited and not the most appealing. But we did find one place (10 miles from the city) that looks clean and comfortable for a 2 night stay. Having a car will be needed to allow us to travel in and around Canosa. I know that this is a long shot but has anyone ever been to this area?
Our thoughts were to rent a car and drive from Rome. We compared the cost of train then car rental there vs. car rental, tolls, and gas and it is cheaper to drive. Doing this saves us money vs taking the train and renting a car there. I think the cost is high because there is only one car rental location in Barletta (closest train station). I am not sure if we will be travelling on flat terrain or if the roads can be easily traveled. Via Michelin lists a few “steep hill downwards” in its directions but other than that it looks like major roads will be used. Is anyone familiar with the route we would use and can comment?
Thank you in advance.
Donna