Puglia and Sicily in May

With just 9 nights, I think you need to choose one or the other. Our first trip to Sicily was 9 days, and then we went a second time for a week. The island is big and there is a lot to see.
We also spent 10 days in Puglia last spring, and did not run out of things to do.

I agree - one or the other. We've spent five weeks in Sicily (two trips) and three weeks in Puglia and still haven't seen all of either. And they're both wonderful!

I went to Sicily in April-May 2014 for a total of 11 nights (including a last night in Rome to make my flight back to the US the next day). My trip report is here: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/sicily-palermo-caltanisetta-siracusa-taormina

I know nothing about Puglia, but I can say that 9 nights in Sicily is not a long time at all, so I would hate to cut it even shorter (not to mention the time you lose getting between Puglia and Sicily).

I too suggest choosing one or the other. I go to Sicilia every other year, nine nights is not too many. Puglia is a large region, running along the coast, and can easily be a separate trip.

Sicilian olive oil is excellent, too. Both regions have great seafood, and lots of traditional influence in cooking.

I was in Sicily for two weeks April-May 2014. The wildflowers were unbelievable. I ended up flying Alitalia so I could fly into Palermo on the same ticket (change at FCO). I flew out of Catania (to Bologna for another week). Also I suspect you'd waste the better part of a day going between Puglia and Sicily.

Thanks for all the replies. After a little research yesterday I pretty much came to the consensus response of choosing one or the other. Sicily has been in my list for a while but I may want to hit Puglia before it becomes more touristy. Thanks for confirming my thoughts.

For those who have done Puglia, I've read that it's best to have a car. Can a great trip still be had via bus and train? Thanks again.

Hi David,
I am glad when travelers decide to visit south Italy as majority do not go south of Rome..
I live half of the year in Palermo (i am here now) and I visited Puglia last July. Sicily offer much more so the idea to spend more time in this region is totally worth. Keep in mind that transportation from Puglia to Sicily are not easy at all! Train and buses are terrible and take a so long. A good idea for you!
From Puglia reach Tropea town on the west coast of south Italy and get a sea trasportation to the Island of Stromboli. Stromboli is an active world famous volcano island, so beautiful. Stromboli is part of the Aeolian Islands which are amazing nd a must see of sicily. So enjoy the Aeolian Islands (maybe by sailing trip which is the ideal way), then arrive in Milazzo which is the closest point in sicily to the archipelago of Aeolian Islands and continue your trip in land.. but you need to decide if to go to East Sicily (Siracusa, Taormina, Noto.. even till Agrigento to see the Scalata dei Turchi. Or choose the West sicily from milazzo you will stop in Ceflu, Palermo, till Riserva dello Zingaro and Erice. You could fly back from Trapani or Palermo.
Enjoy the South people and the amazing welcome feelings you will receive!

I often take trains and buses to get around southern Italy. Sunday bus routes are often cut out entirely or severely limited, so it's not a great travel day. Train schedules may be affected but to a lesser extent.

So yes, you can have a great trip in Puglia or Sicilia by public transportation. But it does take a little longer to get from place to place.

I totally agree with Zoe, avoiding public transport in south Italy is the way better. Unlikely politician do not spend one euro to make transports working. I would concentrate all 9 days in Sicily, and in a next trip Puglia and Basilicata.
Then don't worry about changes.. before tourism will impact with real changes in south of Italy .. probably humans will be living also in Mars :)

We did our entire three weeks in Puglia/Basilicata by train and bus. As Zoe mentioned, it may be a little more time-consuming, but we much prefer that to renting a car. You just need to plan ahead and go with the flow! The best info on public transportation we found prior to our trip was in the back of Lonely Planet's Puglia and Basilicata guidebook, but Rome2Rio is also a great resource for transportation planning.

With 9 nights I would probably choose Sicily only. Definitely not enough to see it all (especially without a car) but you can get a lot done in 8 days.
Leave Puglia for another trip. That can be easily paired with the Campania/Gulf of Naples area (incl. Capri, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii) on another separate 10 day trip to southern Italy. The regions of Campania and Puglia are well connected via rail or bus.

I don't avoid public transportation, when traveling solo I use it exclusively. Just be aware that scheduling is important.

Once again, thanks for all the responses, much appreciated. I think I'm leaning towards Sicily this trip and save Puglia for my next Italian vacation to roam (haha) around southern Italy.