Matera and Alberobello

Looks as if you might have to train to Bari, then bus from there to Matera. Good info at this site: http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/basilicata/matera.html

Lin, The best location for visiting Pompeii would be to stay in Sorrento. It's an easy trip from there to Pompeii via the Circumvesuviana. From Siena, you'll need to travel by train to Napoli Centrale and then change to the Circumvesuviana for the final leg. You'll have at least one change, and the trip will be 4H to 6H, depending on which train you choose (not including the time on the Circumvesuviana). For the trip from Naples to Bari, the trip will be about 4H, again with one change. When you arrive in Bari, you'll transfer to This Railway for the ~1.25H trip to Matera. You may need to take a Taxi from the station to your Hotel, depending on where you're staying? For an "authentic" Matera experience, you might consider staying in This Hotel (I'm sure you'll find it a "unique" experience)! I haven't checked all the details, but for travel to Alberobello you'll probably have to take the train back to Bari, and then use This Railway on the Bari / Taranto line for the trip to Alberobello. As mentioned, I didn't work out all of the details but given your criteria, these are probably the methods I'd consider. One point that comes to mind, is that I'm not sure whether six days will be enough to see the three locations, given the travel times that will be required? Note that some of the trains in the south may not run on Sundays, so keep that in mind. Happy travels!

I did find some awfully tempting Ryanair flights. Does this make sense? Forget Siena, fly Pisa to Bari May 18th. Flight gets in early morning, go directly to Alberobello, look around, sleep in Alberobello. May 19 Train (2 hr) to Bari, store luggage and look around before taking train (1 1/2 hrs) to Matera. Sleep Matera. May 20 Look around Matera. Sleep Matera. May 21 Find early morning transport to Bari airport (must be there by 10:30) to fly out to Rome. Is this possible? From Rome take the bus to Sorrento. Sleep Sorrento May 22 Sorrento to Pompeii. Sleep Sorrento (Is Sun ok for Pompeii? May 23 Go to Rome for a couple of days. Flight leaves Rome on the 25th.
I have trouble with my ears when I fly, but it is much cheaper than other transport and much quicker so I might just have to do it if it makes more sense. I also thought that perhaps we would see more interesting scenery with buses and trains.

You might want to look at shuttlematera.com. They will get you to the airport (they start at 5 a.m., I think) if that's what you need.

Thank you so much for the help. I have booked a room at the Sassi hotel and will feel secure now that I know I will be able to get a shuttle if necessary. I will have to see if I can maybe find others on the flight to share the trip. I have also booked a very small Trulli in Alberobello for 1 night. I appreciate the advice you've given me.

Lin, you mentioned you have trouble with your ears when you fly; I assume that's due to the pressure? If so, try "EarPlanes" ear 'plugs' - they help equalize the pressure. Read the instructions! I REALLY like them, esp. on days with more than one flight!

Do you leave them in for the whole flight? If you have found that they help, then I will definitely get some to try. Last time I flew my ears were so bad on ascent and descent that I was in tears. I thought my eardrum would burst. Makes me very nervous to fly.