Puglia in October.

Unfortunately Rick hasn't done a book on Puglia or Abruzzo yet so we don't have any suggestions on places to stay. We do have a tour on that area and you can see the itinerary on our website. Apart from that, I would recommend taking a look at a Lonely Planet guidebook for suggestion on things to see and do down there. Sorry we couldn't help more.

Spent 5 days there a year ago and it was not enough time! My friend from Puglia recommended several places. We choose to stay two nights in Lecce so we could "drive the heel" which was beautiful. Stopped in Gallipoli, ate lunch in Leuca, the very southernmost part of the heel, and found Otranto lovely. Be sure to drive counterclockwise so you are on the ocean side the whole trip around the heel. Loved Trattoria Le Zie - Cucina Casareccia. Make a reservation!

Also stayed in Polignano al Mare for two nights, which was a decent base for seeing Alberobello, Martina Franca (beautiful!), Ostuni, Castel del Monte. If we'd stayed longer I would have certainly hit the Gargano peninsula. It takes a lot of driving to see Puglia, but the food is amazing, the people very nice.

In Martina Franca, it is worth seeking out Ristorante Ai Portici.

Thanks for your help. We will have 6-7 days in Puglia and think we will use Lecce as the southern base. We are not sure about the northern area; perhaps Matera, but that might be too far away from the towns we want to visit. Any thoughts or experiences, please let me know. Also appreciate the eating suggestions...sometimes the best part of the trip!

Alberobello, Matera, Ostuni, Lecce, Polignano al Mare

All good. Fun to stay in Alberobello in a trulli, and fun to be able to walk the streets after the day tourists have gone away. Matera is great, interesting, just make sure you stay in the old town section in a cave hotel.

Lecce is good for a night (1.5 days) Nice walking city, but not worth more than a full day.

Ostuni is a day trip, not much there.

Polignano al Mare is great because you are right on the Adriatic sea and the food is darn amazing.

We did a bike tour in the region last May, best trip ever.

Madre Terra restaurant near Castel del Monte, excellent food, service.