Puglia

I’ve had that area on my radar - probably will combine the RS South of Italy tour with more personal time in Umbria next year. If you’re traveling independently, I would add Lecce to your itinerary. The baroque architecture from the research I’ve done looks very interesting.

Lecce is lovely.

We went to Puglia in 2021. We combined Polignano a Mare with Monopoli. I actually enjoyed Monopoli more. Maybe not as spectacular as Polignano a Mare but more quiet and authentic imo. Close to Alberobello is Locorotondo (6 Miles). It has a small lovely town centre and at the edge you have some restaurants where you have a nice view. And close to Locorotondo is Martina Franca (4,5 miles) which has also a nice small town centre. You could combine Alberobello with those two towns. Lecce is also a nice daytrip.

several years ago we stayed in Trani which has a nice historic center and a harbor with restaurants on it. I don't know if I would call it a "must see" but it was an enjoyable place to visit.

Did you make this trip? We wil be doing all those places next week! If you have any suggestions, tips or must see's I'd love to hear about them! Thank you!

We will be traveling at the end of October. No news to share as of yet. Perhaps you might share with us what you really enjoyed.
Happy travels.

On the coast definitely visit Otranto, and if you go to the Gargano peninsula also Vieste, Peschici, Rodi Garganico, Vico del Gargano.

If you visit Alberobello, definitely visit also Locorotondo (5 min from Alberobello). Alberobello is about 70 min drive from Matera, so it's an easy day trip if you don't have time to stay.

Lecce (if you like baroque basilicas

Thank you. That is helpful.

pdaliesio15, please come back to this post after you’ve returned from your trip, or you could begin a new post and share a trip report! I appreciate hearing what travelers enjoyed!

I will be there next May and am staying in these locations:
Rome. Then a train to Puglia.
Trani
Bari - the San Nicola festival
Alberobello - the overnight is to stay in a trullo & photograph sunrise/sunset there.
Martina Franca - hoping for an easy 4-hr. bike tour one day
Lecce - taking a cooking class; setting aside a day for a mini-van type day-trip to Gallipoli, etc.
Ostuni
Polignano a Mare - definitely want to take a boat ride to see the coastline & caves
….and then up into Abruzzo & Umbria & fly home from Rome.

Lecce!!!!
Taranto also has a really nice archeological museum as well. If you can only choose one between those two, Lecce is your choice.

Some of the towns you’ve listed are beach towns and will hopping with people during beach season and ghost towns during other parts of the year.

This trip is one I want to do as well. I'm just not sure which month would be best. I was thinking maybe next September. I love seeing everyone's ideas and experiences.

Hi KRS
Unless you want the heat for the beach and the sea, September can still be hot and crowded. We usually start off from the Gargano area mid-September where the season is already closing and then head further south. This week we're in Salento (Porto Cesareo) and there are still quite a few people around. I wouldn't plan to come before mid September.....
Here's a link to my blog posts about Puglia
https://bit.ly/3BkumFp

What time of year, and how many days do you have, and what form of transport will you use?
Do you like staying in towns/villages are in you interested in rural stays?

Also, if you haven’t already, look up Puglia on YouTube which will give you many options- plan on an evening to watch! That’s what really helped me decide which places from the many choices of cities to visit. There’s a lot of videos of a person walking through a town and sharing their perspective of the place. And the food! 😊