Puglia question

If you are going to Alberobello there are trains connecting it to Locorotondo and I don’t think it would take more than 10-15 min, since they are so close, although the station is a bit down from the city center. I’m sure there are buses too, or probably even taxi cabs that can take you there quickly. I stayed in Alberobello in 2023 (just outside the town) and I don’t think it look me more than 5-10 min to drive to Locorotondo.

When you head over to Polignano a Mare, take a very early train, so you can walk through the old atmospheric center without all of the day-tourists there. Reward yourself afterwards with pasticciotti & espresso at Martinucci’s - yum! They were very friendly there with my elementary Italian language skills. Also, you probably also want to sign up for a cave tour by boat. They begin north of town.

Getting to Locorotondo from Monopoli is easy. Look on www.trenitalia.com. There’s direct trains at 7:55 & 12:35. It’s a beautiful little city.

Monopoli to Ostuni is easy by train. The station is at the bottom of the hill but there's a connecting shuttle bus up to Ostuni itself.
https://slowtravelitalyspain.blogspot.com/2019/11/puglia-brindisi-in-november-ostuni.html?m=1

Thanks to all for your replies.

@ YoPhilly

In my opinion you would be missing out if you missed Locorotondo and Ostuni. Not so sure about Martina Franca.

Past April 27th through May 4th stayed at a rural Trulli 6.5kms outside Martina Franca. https://www.bing.com/travel/hotels/detail?q=I+trulli+di+Mani%27&id=YN1354x16054579836077861659&hname=I+trulli+di+Mani%27&loc=Masseria+Orimini%2C+IT&displaytext=Masseria+Orimini%2C+IT&lat=40.67879&lon=17.27894&cin=2024-12-15&cout=2024-12-16&guests=2A0C&age=&hotellistid=YN1354x16054579836077861659&type=rental&form=HTSEST&entrypoint=HTSEST

Locorotondo. Was 14km away. Went there around 6pm for dinner. Calm evening about 19c. Had extensive light displays, probably remaining from easter, national day 25 April. Whitewashed alleyways with plants growing in an eclectic variety of pots. Small alfresco settings for diners. Quite romantic settings. Should have been here with my wife in our early twenties. Also larger inside dining for more formal groups. My DIL chose an alfresco with 1.5m high table and bench seats in an alley. Cannot remember what we ate and drank, but it was good. Wandered around until after 11pm. Predominately locals out for the evening.

Ostuni. About 35 kms. Travelled there for another evening. Lovely about 20c. Also had the light displays still in place. Whitewashed narrow alleyways decorated with plants in a variety of pots. Had local pizza and drinks at a small alfresco place. Wondered the alleyways and got gelato on two occasions. Enjoyed the central square. Stayed until about midnight. Seemed to me to be predominately locals out and about.

Martina Franca. We arrived at our Trulli on Saturday and asked our host where to eat. They booked us into one of their favourite restaurants. Asked about parking as was Saturday evening. Told us that the bloke at the door would fix things. We were not sure about parking as we were driving French cars with French rego. Leased car regos have, as my wife puts it, “a gorgeous nipple pink colour that I remember from my twenties.” Turns out our host and the restaurateurs were close friends. They made a fuss over us as we came from Australia, told the other diners, who all seemed to be locals. So, we were not short for conversations, had trouble fitting in time to eat our excellent steaks and puddings.

Returned a few evenings later to look around. Did not happen. Caught in a massive thunderstorm just after we parked. Water running ankle deep in the centre of the roads/alleys. Fell into a small shop that had four tables. Roasted mainly lamb chops for the local workers/shop keepers to take home for their dinners. Ordered the lamb chops, a simple salad, and drinks while the storm continued. We were not expecting this little shop, it was great. When we finished it was still raining, so went back to our Trulli, which had missed most of the rain.

My wife and DIL had us go to Alberobello on Thursday for the market day. Purchased fruit, vegetables, salamis etc. Lots of souvenir shops, eating places, gelato etc. Traditional tourist mecca.

In contrast, Locorotondo and Ostuni are delightfully authentic. Do not know what they are like during the day. I would say worth the effort to sort the public transport issues to get there.

Regards Ron

Thanks, Ron, for your feedback. I would really like to visit Locorotondo and Ostuni particularly. I'll be in the area next week and will try to work it out.