Puglia/Calabria itinerary

Why so many nights in Alberobello? There's not that much to see there.

Are you looking for an active/sightseeing trip or more of a relaxing trip? You might think about adding a couple of nights in Polignano a Mare instead of Alberobello.

I would not stay 4 nights in Alberobello, instead I would stay in Ostuni and do day trips to Alberobello, Polignano a mare, monopoly etc.
2 nights in Matera is ok, 3 might be better, depends if you want to see anything outside Matera.

Yes, unfortunately, Alberobello has become more of a place to see for a couple hours than a place to stay. If you want to stay in a trullo, there are many to rent throughout the area, or you can stay at a masseria (like a B&B on a farm) such as Masseria Aprile outside of Locorotondo. Or stay in the oldest part of Ostuni --- we rented an apartment there for a week and visited lots of the towns near by.

4 nights Lecce is great. I'd take a night from Tropea and give it to Matera --- you can see Matera in 1.5 days, but it's a unique place to just take in a little more slowly. It's like Venice in that way. I hope you are staying in a cave there.

you may enjoy watching Nicki Positano on Youtube. Her last few videos (past week) are of her stay in a trulo in Alberobello and the sights they visited.

Joining in, visit Alberobello only as a day trip.
And you won’t spend a full day.
Consider staying on the Adriatic Sea in Polignano a Mare or Monopoli. We spent a beautiful week in Polignano a Mare.

Thank you!

We are staying outside Alberobello. In Masseria. Using this location as a base to visit Bari, Polignano, Monopoli,, ostuni. We will stop by the beach too..

Thank you, nancy8!

I Booked hotel in Matera for 3 nights originally. Was not sure if it is too long. Yes, we are staying in one of the caves in Sassi.

You are welcome! We stayed in Matera for 3 nights almost 10 years ago and wished for one more night --- we did not go into any of the churches and did not drive over to the other side of the ravine to see the sassi from there. Some of the best food we've had in Italy was in restaurants in Matera, but we didn't keep track of the names of places to eat in those days. It was early November and we needed reservations at most of them, so I imagine that 10 years later and in September, you would, too.

Thank you! Can't wait!! Should it do restaurant research from here and make reservations from the US as well? Matera will be our 11-night stop.