hello:
we’re traveling to Monopoli in Puglia in May where we will visit various lovely villages.
then we have an extra four days. We were thinking of going and exploring Calabria. I’m not seeing any information in Rick Steve’s books about Calabria!
has anyone ever been there and can give some advice?!
if not, we’re looking for four days after Monopoli, still in southern-ish Italy to explore before we hit the airport at Rome and fly home. Thank you!
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.
