Puglia itinerary help

Hi, I hope you’re including a stop at Paestum if you’re at Salerno - amazing Greek ruins!

I didn’t stay in a masseria in Puglia because I just travel by train or occasional bus. So I can’t give recommendations for those. And I had Otranto on my list for a long time but didn’t go there. Otherwise, I did stay in each of the cities you mentioned, so I will add my links to the two trips - May2025& May 2024. I did cooking classes on each trip, no wine tours but an olive oil tasting.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/3-week-italy-trip-to-puglia-plus-tivoli-rome-may-2025

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/my-1-month-independent-trip-to-southern-italy-tribute-to-my-husband

I liked Monopoli, but for your quick stay, look up the specific room in the B&B hotel where I stayed both times in Polignano a Mare - an amazing balcony & view that I let dictate my dates last May, so I could stay in it again.

Jean

I think you can consolidate a lot of those moves and still do a lot of the same things as day trips. I'd skip the Martina Franca one-night stay and do three nights at the masseria or in Monopoli, or do two nights in Matera (whichever you find most appealing).
Is your flight out really early? If you don't want to deal with the car in Bari, we stayed in Giovinazzo, and it's less than 10 minutes drive to the airport. I like Bari and I am sure there are places that offer parking, so that's a "just in case" bit. If the flight is not super early, you can get from Monopoli to Bari airport in about 45 minutes.

Thank you both for your quick replies. Jean- thanks for linking your trip reports, they were very enjoyable to read, sounds like a wonderful time. I will consider the apartment you noted in Polignano a mare, it looks lovely.

Valedelphia- I can consider skipping Martina Franca but I like the idea of experiencing each town in the evening. The last week in October, the clocks are already set back and the sun will set before 5pm. I would rather not have to drive back after dinner in the dark. I think I am going to catch a night flight from Bari at 7:25 to Rome, spend the night in a Rome airport hotel and fly out early the next day but appreciate the suggestion to stay near the Bari airport.

On a couple of the days you list it may be a challenge to visit two towns. In rural southern Italy such as Puglia shops/churches/museums close about 1pm until around 5pm and restaurants close by 2pm for the riposo pomeridiano. Tourism mainly happens before lunch or in the evenings.

Thanks John, I forgot about that. These short days are throwing a wrinkle in my plans.

Yes, I’d skip the Otranto & Lecce area, as it’s lots of driving. And Lecce effectively turns into a ghost town between about 1 pm and 6 pm. Everything closes except a couple of churches. We were also there in October and it was a bit frustrating.