Puglia/Calabria

I’ve been to Monopoli but not yet Calabria. It’s frankly tough to get info even from the publishers that do more comprehensive coverage, but there is stuff to be found online. Do you want to drive?
My suggestion would be to stick as north as possible to still get something different given you have to get back to Rome. Maratea sounds really nice though it’s within Basilicata. However, if you have not traveled widely in Puglia before, I think you could probably find a great place to spend four more days. I’d look at the Salento. Or, check out the Gargano and southern Abruzzo as you head north.
So many choices! Ekscunchy posts here and has some experience if Calabria is calling.

Hey Michele,
Here's our recentish Calabrian TR below. It is from Fodors, where I go by 'zebec'.
Eks will also weigh in, I hope. Next time that I visit her in the penitentiary, we'll see whether she will agree to assist.
I am done. the rascal
https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/il-calabrese-a-photo-essay-inc-a-bit-of-rome-1732571/

PS Also, here is our Puglian equivalent (no fotos sorry).
https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/bella-puglia-also-basilicata-and-rome-1634280/

Puglia stretches about 200 miles from Vieste down to around Otranto. With four extra days it's likely you can find more in Puglia to visit.

I’m assuming you will have a car.

You could consider Lecce and Otranto, still in Puglia but further down the heel. If you prefer to be in a city, Lecce can be your base to visit Otranto, and also Gallipoli. Or you can use Otranto as a base, if you prefer a lovely town that is not large. You can research the above online.

The Gargano peninsula (.Vieste, Peschici), the spur of the boot, is also great.

Matera in Basilicata also should be included in your visit.

Calabria offers several destinations, but it’s quite a drive from Puglia.

If you don’t have a car, stick to Puglia. Lecce can be easily reached by train and so is Matera (bus .may be better)

Mr. La Marshmallow: I have limited time to use the computer in what passes here as a library. (L.Ron Hubbard, anyone??). But I will do my best for the good of the group:

Yes,, I've been to Calabria a few times but with four extra days I would definitely not recommend traveling all the way there--for four days! And you would be best renting a car for Calabria; it's possible by train but the beauty isin the rural areas, the Pollino and Aspromonte parks, etc. The cities, not so much.

I imagine Matera is in your Puglia plan (??). If so, soldier a night in Tursi. And the abandoned town of Craco.
There are SO MANY interesting and beautiful towns in Puglia that are not on the well-trodden tourist trail of Monopoli, Ostuni, Trani, Alberobello, Locorotondo, Martina, Lecce and Otranto. Are you planning to visit all of those?

From Trani, Castel del Monte and the area around there.
The Salento--towns like Nardo and Galatina.
Gallipoli and the Porto Selvaggio Reserve
The pottery town of Grottaglie
Taranto for its archeological museum (I've never been, though)
Gravina and Altamura

And the gorgeous Gargano promontory with the white town of Vieste (best with car)

If you let us know where you are already planning to go, we can help you add spots in Puglia.

As other forum members already said, Puglia still has a lot of places to discover. Been there last June. Monopoli is a good base. The most wow town was Matera (not in Puglia though) and the second wow town was Martina Franca. The best beach was Punta prociutto.
But back to the original question, yes I‘ve been to Calabria. Actually twice to Tropea. Stayed in this B&B www.residenzailbarone.it was a very nice accomodation.
Tropea is very beautiful.

I would definitely give a thumbs up to Tropea and to Matera.

We loved our time in both, especially Matera. One fun thing, Matera has a detective show that we like to watch on Amazon, called Imma Tataranni: Deputy Prosecutor.

Great photos Zebec. Do you ask folks to take their pics or just take them on the sly (that's what I usually do). PIctures of people are so much more interesting than endless churches.

We're settled on Monopoli as a home base & then Tropea & Maratea in Calabria. ciao.

Sounds like a great itinerary Michele. Btw, we try to ask for permission to take people's fotos whenever possible, but obviously that's not always feasable. Just this morning at Antibes' weekly antique mkt there was an elderly vendor with a picturesquely distinctive face who refused my request. No problem, bien sur.

And in places like say, India, there was no way to ask each and every person--that was simply not possible. Language issues, not wanting to cause a riot and safety concerns are but a few factors at play.

As noted in our TRs, we have had a number of requests from folks to take their fotos. That always comes as some surprise and we always oblige.

About 20 years ago on Lonely Planet's Thorntree forum, the same topic was the focus of one particularly heated thread. There was much judgemental emotion from traveler-than-thou types plus a lot of hypocrisy. Sigh...

Tante belle cose!
I am done. The costa

If you drive the coast road north from Tropea towards Maratea consider stopping at the small coastal town of Cirella (just north of Diamanté). There is a wonderful historic Hotel Ducale located in what was originally a palace built in 1753with sea views and gardens. They have a wonderful breakfast on the terrace. We have stayed there three times and always stay 2 or 3 nights. It is a relaxing place to relax. If you stay there ask for an sea views and room.

We spent 3 weeks in Puglia, Matera, and Calabria 4 years ago. I will definitely go to Lecce, Otranto, Gallipoli, Matera, and Calabria. We spent 4 nights near Tropea at the Residence Porto Ulisse.
In view of Cyclone Harry, which hit Sicily, Calabria and Sardinia pretty bad few weeks ago, I'll check what is going on there.
We were planning to go to Sardinia in September and will probably change our plans since there are a lot of distractions in the area..