Trip is planned for late May through first week of June. I'm basically trying to do a bit of everything while avoiding huge tourist spots, as well as hot/muggy days. We are not interested in nightlife, but love food, nature, sightseeing, history.
Option 1: South of Italy
Depart US for Bari (overnight flight)
Day 2
Arrive in Bari
Bari to Ostuni via train
Stay in Ostuni (night 1)
Day 3
Stay in Ostuni (night 2)
Day 4
Day trip to Polignano a Mare via train
Return to Ostuni
Stay in Ostuni (night 3)
Day 5
Day trip (still contemplating on where)
Return to Ostuni by EOD
Stay in Ostuni (night 4)
Day 6
Travel to Matera
Ostuni to Bari via train
Bari to Matera via bus
Stay in Matera (night 1)
Day 7
Stay in Matera (night 2)
Day 8
Travel to Castelmezzano...via Potenza?
Seems there is no train, so contemplating bus/car.
Stay in Castelmezzano (night 1)
Day 9
Stay in Castelmezzano (night 2)
Day 10
Return to Puglia via train
I need to think of a side quest once I am here (night 1)
Day 11
(night 2)
Day 12
(night 3)
Day 13
Travel to Bari
Ostuni to Bari via train
(night 1)
Day 14
Fly home from Bari
Option Two: North of Italy
Route: Milan → Lake Orta → Camogli → Sestri Levante → Bologna → Parma or Modena → Milan
Day 1 – Arrival → Lake Orta
Day 2 – Lake Orta
Day 3 – Lake Orta
Day 4 – Lake Orta → Camogli
Day 5 – Camogli
Day 6 – Camogli → Sestri Levante
Day 7 – Sestri Levante
Day 8 – Optional day trip
Sestri Levante → Levanto
Day 9 – Sestri Levante → Bologna
Day 10 – Bologna
Day 11 – Bologna
Day 12 – Bologna → Parma or Modena
Option A (Parma):
Bologna Centrale → Parma
Option B (Modena):
Bologna Centrale → Modena
Day 13 – Parma or Modena
Day 14 (June 6) – Parma/Modena → Milan
Fly Home
Option Three: Bit of both South and North
Day 1
Depart US (overnight flight)
Day 2 – Arrive Bari → Ostuni
Arrive in Bari
Stay in Ostuni (night 1)
Day 3 – Ostuni
Stay in Ostuni (night 2)
Day 4– Day trip
Day trip to Polignano a Mare via train
Return to Ostuni
Stay in Ostuni (night 3)
Day 5 – Day trip
Day trip to Lecce (recommended)
Return to Ostuni
Stay in Ostuni (night 4)
Day 6 – Travel to Matera
Train Ostuni → Bari
Bus Bari → Matera
Stay in Matera (night 1)
Day 7 – Matera
Stay in Matera (night 2)
Day 8– Travel to Castelmezzano
Travel Matera → Castelmezzano (bus or car via Potenza)
Stay in Castelmezzano (night 1)
Day 9 – Castelmezzano
Stay in Castelmezzano (night 2)
Day 10 – Travel to Bologna
Stay in Bologna (night 1)
Day 11 – Bologna
Stay in Bologna (night 2)
Optional: Day trip to Modena or Parma
Day 12– Travel to Dolomites (Ortisei)
Bus Bolzano → Ortisei
Stay in Ortisei (night 1)
Day 13 – Dolomites
Stay in Ortisei (night 2)
Day 14 – Depart
Fly home