I have t he opportunity next Feb. to spend the month exploring areas I think I might like to retire to a few months hence. Without getting in to all the variables that go into that decision, I've identified Puglia, Sicily and Malta as possibilities and have worked up a tentative itinerary. I really do not want to rent a car...aside from the expense and anxiety of driving in a foreign country, I'd really rather rub elbows with the locals rather than hermetically sealed in my own car. And, honestly, it would give me a chance to see how public transit is for the areas. I've checked air connections (as much as possible, given that scheds for Feb. aren't yet available in some places), bus and train availability, and the following itinerary seems doable. Whether it is desirable, I don't know! I'd appreciate feedback from anyone who has traveled in the are....am I planning on spending too long in one place, not enough in another? Am I missing something I really shouldn't overlook, etc.? I'll be coming in from and returning to Frankfurt (Hahn, I think) where I'll be staying in Jan. and March.
Fly into Bari, 5 nights in there (including arrival day), with daytrips by train or bus to Polignano a Mare and Trani.
Train to Martina Franca, 4 nights there with daytrips to Locorotondo and Alberobello, Ceglie Messapica and Ostuni via train or bus.
Train to Lecce, 3 nights there.
Train to Brindisi, fly to Catania, bus to Syracuse, 5 nights there, with daytrip to Noto.
Bus to Modica, 3 nights there, with daytrip to Ragusa.
Bus to Catania, fly to Valetta in Malta, 3 nights there, fly out from Malta to home.
What do you think? Thanks in advance!
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