We are interested in visiting Matera. Will be renting a car from the Sorrento area and would be interested in whatever guidance can be offered in terms of places to stay/length of stay and other areas in and around Puglia that might be worth a stop.
Thanks!
Too many to name really. What have you identified as of interest so far, and how many days do you have? It also helps us to offer suggestions if we know a bit about your party (children? any special interests or favorite activities?) What time of year?
In the area, don't miss Pasteum or Alberobello. Matera is amazing. Stay in a cave for sure. First visit we stayed in Dodici Luna which was great . Can't recall name of more recent place but it was in the sassi too.. There are many Greek antiquities in the area. Good museum and beach in Metaponto. Southern Italy is underrated. You will be pleased.
Thanks for the speedy response. We'll have at least a week, and we're thinking about at least two nights in Matera. Need to ciircle back to Naples for the flight out but generally pretty flexible. We like to eat, we like the beach, we like music and unusual places which was why Matera really checked off some boxes. Traveling in mid June. Thanks again for the advice.
That area is likely to be very hot in mid-June, though July and August would be worse. Be sure your car and your lodgimgs are air conditioned. Read hotel reviews with an eye to comments about room comfort during the summer.
I like the baroque town of Lecce a lot. There are many picturesque smaller places. I recommend picking up a comprehensive guidebook covering Puglia and making a list of potential stops and asking for input on them. ViaMichelin is probably your best online source for driving times, but remember that they don't allow for stopping, getting lost, searching for parking, or walking from your parking place to the attractions you want to see.
Since you have to return to Naples, I would consider keeping the trip to Basilicata. Matera and Maratea and whatever else close by you find appealing. I would not drive to southern Puglia with only a week.
For accommodation in Matera, I can highly recommend Alla Dolce Vita Bed & Breakfast. Check it out at ladolcevitamatera.it
We stayed there in June of 2012 and I see by their website they are still going strong. Owned by a lovely young couple. Vincenzo even drove us to the car rental place to pick up our car and gave us instructions on how to drive out of town. We stayed 2 nights which gave us a day and a half to explore.
Would also recommend seeing Alberobello, Martina Franca ( gorgeous) Locorotondo, and Polignano a Mare. I can also recommend a B & B in Polignano a Mare if you are interested. We drove down & stayed in Otranto, as well, but I think that would be too far for you to go if you are flying home from Naples.
Puglia is lovely - Happy travels.
