Info on heel of boot

My first reaction was because Brindisi is a ferry port... and well not all of those have a good reputation!

Google comes up with loads of websites on the things to see and do in the area.

Happy travel planning.

You asked why Rick doesn't include Brindisi in his book. None of us here work for Rick thus none of us will know for sure. Here's my guess: Rick does not intend his books to be a complete survey of a country, he is deliberately selective and prioritizes. Apparently, his opinion is that Brindisi is not a priority for his readership, given all the other things there are to see in Italy and given his typical readership's finite amount of time and money. The Michelin Guide lists Brindisi in its Green Guide to Italy--but out of its 4 categories (highly recommended, recommended, interesting, and other sight) it agrees with Rick by putting Brindisi in the lowest category and giving it only one page in its book. Just because Rick and Michelin don't tout it doesn't mean you won't find things to do and see, sometimes these out of the way places can yield unexpected insights into life somewhere else. You're going there mainly because your husband's family came from there. I haven't been there--maybe someone here has at least passed through--but I imagine it's a fine place for the people who live and work there. You're going for the right reason, for your family to connect with your husband's family roots; and you'll have realistic expectations and won't expect it to be a touristic mecca of world class sights.If you Google around I'll bet you can find information about what to do there. And maybe one of the other guidebooks will have more.

Do you have any contact with members of your husband's family who still live in the area? No guidebook writer is a substitute for family connections! If not, google is your friend.

I agree with the others' ideas of why Rick may not cover the area, and also add that it's not really in the same location as the larger, more popular destinations in Italy. Therefore, it probably isn't worth Rick's time to include it, as few people would bother to go there unless they have a compelling reason like you do.

Linda, as well as Google, as already mentioned, Insight Guides to Southern Italy may be interesting/useful. Also Lonely Planet and Rough Guides Italy. Brindisi is close to many places of interest, including Ostuni, the white city, and Lecce, the baroque city. Nothing is too far in Puglia. I have had a week touring by car, another trip at planning stage. Send me a PP if you want suggestions. Pat

I too travel to a non-tourist area in that same general direction - not as far south. It looks like Brindisi is big enough to be able to find a good hotel. Then just go exploring. You can use a car in this part of the country without hassles. We have found some wonderful places - by accident!!!!

Being in a place where your family started is amazing. Especially if the village still celebrates "Festa". Try and go then. It is very eye-opening.

Never been there, but we went to another area of Italy not covered in Rick's books and it was our favorite location. No fancy tourist wows, but no tourists either. Go for it!!

All of Puglia is beautiful, with many lovely towns to visit, and some amazing beaches, and coast lines.You have the Adriatic sea on one side and Mare Ionio on the other. The water is many parts is that amazing clear shade of blue. Just some places to consider visiting if you are going to be down there are: Gallipoli, Santa Maria Leucca (not sure about the spelling, but is right on the tip of the heel) and Lecce (a must!). Plus it has all these lovely little towns running up and down the coast which are fun to visit, and the terrain is full of olive trees. Puglia is a popular vacation area for Italians in the summer so if you are going in July or August keep in mind that finding accomodation in places near the sea maybe more difficult.

Thank you everyone for your input! Especially you Claire, that's just the information I was looking for. My husband doesn't know of any family still being there but I think just wants to see the area. He did say that the family once owned a restaurant in Brindisi by the name of Damato's and wants to see if he can see if it's still there.

FWIW, the name of the restaurant was probably "D'Amato", not Damato.