I will be visiting my grandparents' village in Basilicata and have had to revise my itinerary, so now have two to three nights to fill in before meeting a friend in Lecce. I would really like to be near the sea. I've been online searching for lodging, but thus far, things are pretty booked up. I've checked Otranto, Gallipoli, Polignano a Mare,and a couple of other places I can't think of now. I haven't checked Ostuni, as my friend and I will already be spending 1.5 days there, and would like to visit someplace that's not on our itinerary. I'm wondering if anyone has any other suggestions? I will be renting a car in Matera and driving to my next destination (wherever it happens to be!) from there. Thanks for your help!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
If you search on either booking.com or venere.com you can plug in your dates and it will show you only those places that have availability. Happy travels.
Posted by
OP
Trieste, Italy
175 posts
Thanks Michael.
Posted by
Des Plaines, IL, US
128 posts
I will be of little help to you. I will, however, say that we did Puglia five years ago and had a terrific time; visited most of the places you mentioned. We really like Baroque. The Old Town in Lecche has the greatest collection of excellent Baroque architecture in such a rather compact place than you can imagine. Often referred to as the Florence of Southern Italy for its beauty. You have made great ions; you will not be disappointed. When you pick up the car in Matera your first stop might be the Sassi on the outskirts of town; it is where Mel Gibson shot The Passion of Christ. Very interesting. I wouldn't worry too much about accomodations; we just drove along until early evening then started looking. It was in late May/early June and we had no trouble. Good luck!
Posted by
Des Plaines, IL, US
128 posts
Rats! I knew there was one more thing. Most towns have a Visitors Information Center (Tourist Office, if you will.) For a very small booking fee they will locate suitable lodging for you. As I recall most of them open around 10 and shut down around 5 or 6 so if you find a town you might like to spend the day/night you could check them out in the morning and be all set.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, US
2191 posts
You are so lucky to have grandparents in Basilicata! I've not been to any of these yet (we're going in October) but my research has highlighted these places, which you might try: Monipoli (nearby Egnazia has some of the best Roman ruins in the region) Santa Maria di Leuca (at the tip of the heel) Policoro (south of Matera, on the "instep" of the boot). Good luck!
Posted by
OP
Trieste, Italy
175 posts
Thanks everyone for your kind replies. I forgot about the Tourist Info Centers that often help find lodging. I am in Matera now - in the Sassi. It's my second time here. My first time was in 2010, when I spent two nights here. It felt like much too short a time. So, I am beginning to think I might spend an extra day or two here after re-visiting my grandparents' village, if I am able to find lodging - especially since it's been difficult to find a place to stay at the sea. I know of a guide, a wonderful young man who I met in 2010 who is responsible for finding the village where my grandparents were born. I will be more than happy to recommend him, if you are interested. He speaks wonderful English and is extremely kind. Thanks again for all of your feedback! Warmly,
Teri