My Family of 6 is traveling to southern Italy in June. I am thinking of either leaving from Rome or Naples to the Gargano peninsula by train but after that I want to stay in that area for a few days. We only have a short time and I don’t want to waste it on travel if possible but I’m having a hard time figuring out how to get from the train station to Melfi where my grandparents are from and then to the Gargano Peninsula and Matera and Alberobello areas. Want to rent vespas one day but luggage is an issue!!
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11747 posts
Want to rent vespas one day
Unless you are experienced at motorcycling, this idea needs serious reconsideration
Why not rent a car for this area?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15899 posts
Rent 1 van or 2 economy cars (cheaper).
The destinations you are considering don’t lend themselves to the use of public transportation.
Traveling by Vespa is only for short distances and for experienced motorcycle riders (no luggage permitted except for small day backpacks).
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Since you're still in the planning stage this may help you narrow down your choices.
https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/8-towns-not-to-miss-in-puglia/
After two trips to this area, and after talking to other tourists who used public transportation, a rental car or two will allow much more ease of connecting towns. Unless you're sticking to only the Coast.
To visit you're grandparents town, start in Naples, or hit it on your return leg from Matera.
Posted by
4836 posts
How many days do you have? You should at the very least use a rental car for Gargano.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
You'll need a car from Naples to Malfi, otherwise you'll turn a 1 1/2-2 hour drive into 4-5 hours on the train or bus. (Via Naples-Benevento or Potenza, Matera is about the same. )
Posted by
Saint Paul, Minnesota
1538 posts
Fly to Bari (or to Naples) and rent a van (or two cars, but we rented a van for 6 people so we could be together when we parked or needed to stop somewhere) --- driving is just not a problem in that area.
Admittedly, when we stayed in and drove all around in the Gargano it was late November and we are decidedly not beach people, but we felt like the Gargano was not as interesting as dozens of other places we've visited or stayed in in Puglia. Plus, if you skip it, your driving will become more concentrated around the other places you mentioned. But maybe you have a special reason for wanting to go there.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32331 posts
tw,
As you've discovered, transportation in the south of Italy can be a bit more challenging. A rental car is probably going to be the easiest and most direct way to cover the destinations you mentioned. As others have mentioned, with a group of six with luggage, you'll likely need a Van or two cars.
My approach would be to get to a larger town as close as possible to the places I want to visit, and rent a vehicle there. In this case you could perhaps look at Foggia as they appear to have several rental agencies. Train from Napoli Centrale to Foggia is as short as 3H:20M with one change, depending on which departure you choose. Foggia is also close to the Gargano Peninsula. According to Rome2Rio it's about a 51 minute drive from Foggia to Melfi.
If you want to stay on the Gargano Peninsula for a few days, you might have a look at Vieste as it's a beautiful town. As I recall, it's not possible to drive into the town so you'll have to park in the lot just outside the town and walk in (it's not far). Here's ONE HOTEL you could consider in Vieste.
Of course, there are the usual caveats for driving in Italy. Each driver will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. IDP's are easily obtainable at any AAA / CAA office for a small fee, and are valid for one year. You'll also have to be extremely vigilant to avoid the ZTL (limited traffic) zones which exist in many Italian towns, as there are hefty fines for each pass through them.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Thank you all for your extremely helpful and wonderful information! After reading the comments I think we will rent 2 car near Naples and drive to Melfi and skip the Gargano Peninsula. I just thought it might be interesting since the Rick Steves tour of southern Italy goes there and there is a boat tour of some of the caves. Are there other boat tours along the southern coast that go into caves? We are definitely going to my grandparents town of Melfi and I want to do Alberobello and Matera.
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2257 posts
I think this new plan makes the most sense for the time you seem to have. Three places that have been recommended on this site (and elsewhere!) but to which I have not yet been are Ostuni, Polignano a Mare and Monopoli. They would fit into this new itinerary if you have time for any of them.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Two hours south of Naples by train or car, in the Cilento region is Palinuro. Beautiful region, one of the premier scuba diving areas of Italy. Crystal clear waters and several caves to explore by gonza boats.
http://slowitaly.yourguidetoitaly.com/2013/09/palinuro-pisciotta-and-the-coast-of-myth/
It's about a 2 1/2 hour drive to Melfi.