Puglia in mid-May

Have been to Trani. Would recommend reservations if you're trying for the budget places there; and to be honest walking around I didn't see a lot of hotel signs, although perhaps they don't advertise on the bldg the way they do in places like Sorrento. That said, we showed up without reservations in Sept. and found something.

As for a car, its a hindrance IN town but indispensable for the region. We drove up to the Gargano Peninsula and down past Bari; you could do this with trains or buses but nowhere near as easily. Parking in the old town is free at nite; just read the signs for reserved hours. Also strongly recommend bringing an inexpensive GPS if you go by car; I couldn't imagine the frustration of trying to get around the region without one.

We did Puglia last May/June, staying in both Trani and Lecce. We had reservations, but I think you could find a place without having them at that time of year. Both towns are on good train lines, and thus you can sightsee by train to certain other places. We did only public transportation, including the Gargano, but it is time-consuming and bus information can be difficult to pin down. I wouldn't have wanted to have a car in either Trani or Lecce; it just depends on where else you want to go.

Thanks for your help! Are popular places in Puglia crowded in May?

We don't go down there in the summer. We always have had a car. We have never made reservations. Congrats for busting the Venice - Amalfi boundaries.

No advice, sorry, but I'll be there too, toward the end of May. We will be based at an agritourism farm near Castellana Grotte. We are going to take the train down from Rome to Bari and rent a car there.