Puglia

Just curious what "hassle" you are referring to?

Okay let me correct myself....would it be too much of a hassle travel wise to get there as far as time, multiple modes of transport ect.

1 hour flight from Rome to Bari.

ferrovieappulolucane.it train from Bari Centrale to Matera.

okay, that's helpful. What's it like? I prefer less crowded/touristy areas.

How much time will you have for your trip? We drive from Salerno to Puglia and then spent 10 days there. If you want to do by public transportation, I’d consider flying into Bari.

When are you planning to be there?

I was looking at a 7 day bike tour, but wanted to be able to spend a few days in Rome and Umbria either at the beginning or end of our trip. We fly in an out of Rome and have 14 days in the country. I was considering cycling in Umbria and Tuscany but a little worried about the weather in late March early April.

We fly into Rome the morning of March 26th and fly out April 9th.

The Adriatic coast of Puglia is beautiful. You could travel from Bari north towards the Gargano peninsula. With your time limit, I would fly in and out of Bari. Or you could head south from Bari and fly out if Brindisi, stopping to see some trulli on the way. If you stay north, you could go east to Le Marche from Umbria. I have traveled in late March and early April in Italy. It can be rainy at times, but the weather tends to be very pleasant.