Naples AND Puglia

Posted by acdesign on 07/03/22 05:44 PM

OK we have a week and I know this is a little nuts. But I will have already been teleworking in Siena and am meeting my husband in Naples in October. I thought 3.5 days there and then head out to Puglia (he loves to drive) for four days. I am interested in Matera and then one other town? Near the coast? We love to be able to also enjoy natural wonders too and birds... as well as beautiful towns with great food. We live in NYC so I don't feel like an entire week in Naples.

If we do that... pick up the rental car at the Naples Airport? or should we take a train out and pick up someplace else? We are used to NYC driving but I know Italian driving is a little crazier at times.

Posted by Suki

07/03/22 06:03 PM

11169 posts

Just to clarify, Matera isn’t in Puglia, rather in Bascilata.
Puglia has wonderful coastal towns. We spent a week in beautiful Polignano a Mare. Also look at Monopoli, Lecce and Trani.
I was glad I saw Matera but the thoughts of the desperately poor who lived in those caves without water or electricity made it very uncomfortable for me to tour the area. And the last place I would ever want to stay is in a cave.
I did that in another place and couldn’t wait to leave.
We really enjoyed Naples, stayed near the sea in the Chiaia district.

Posted by Gina

Seattle

07/03/22 07:00 PM

54 posts

We spent two weeks in Puglia. April, this year, after two weeks Sicily (RS Tour). We traveled by train; visiting Polignano a Mare, Lecce, Grottaglie, Ostuni, Monopoli, and ended with one night Brindisi- flying out to London next day. Loved the area. Favorite was Grottaglie.

Posted by valadelphia

07/05/22 01:45 PM

4434 posts

Do you need to return to Naples?
I think it's a fine plan--you'll just have to be very selective because there are so many options. Since you mentioned nature, look at Gargano near Bari, Cilento south of Salerno (you could pair than and Matera). There are many parks near Matera also.
Monopoli and Polignano are good choices if you want coast and the trulli area.

Posted by acdesign OP

07/05/22 03:35 PM

73 posts

Yes my husband is flying home from Naples. I was thinking maybe go straight to Lecce for 2-3 nights and pick one other destination.. perhaps we stay a night in Matera (not Puglia) on the way back to drop the car off. I am thinking get the car at the airport? And after Puglia stay over Saturday night near the airport to leave the next morning? Not sure.

Posted by valadelphia

07/05/22 03:45 PM

4434 posts

There is no need to stay near the airport, the part of Naples you would want to stay in is only a 15 minute max drive from the airport.
I liked Lecce as a base, as you can drive to each coast and it's a fun town with plenty of restaurants and things to see, but it is the only place that has the slightest bit of hairy driving in the region (aside from Bari). Not a big deal, just something to mention. We had a dedicated parking space with our accommodation (be aware of ZTL, etc.)
I would pick up the car at the airport, though if you are confident in your navigation abilities, it is possible to drive out of Naples and avoid ZTL. The airport is the "avoid any possible risk" scenario.

If you are still looking for nature ideas, the park north of Gallipoli (Porto Selvaggio) is a nice day trip.
It's kind of a lot of driving, so I would also look at options closer to Naples. I do feel like Matera is well worth the drive--it's only a few hours, but I would look carefully at how much driving otherwise introduced into a short trip--just because there are SO many options!