Hello All,
I am traveling to Southern Italy with my 93 years young mother and other family members to visit our family hometown in Campagna where we go each summer. This year we'd like to explore some of Puglia and/or Basilicata (as we usually go to Amalfi coast). We will have a car. My mother is a game traveler, very agile and strong, and I always plan a hotel that has elevator, railings, and not too many steps (especially inside the room) so she can enjoy it independently. I've been reviewing better hotels and wonder if anyone out there has an opinion about towns that would allow for easy exploration on foot (Matera? Ostuni?) as well as hotels that would be suitable. I usually try for at least a 3 star hotel for the amenities they offer. I realize this can be harder in Southern Italy. I welcome your responses. Thank you.
Matera- to see the Sassi sites there are a lot of steps and/or hills and I would think it difficult for a 90+ year old. I would check with their tourist office to see if there are accommodations made for elderly or handicapped.
Ostuni is a hill top city but hopefully you could drive her to the top part.
Polignano a Mare and Monopoli are flat, seaside cities, lovely. Lecce is flat and a real gem. Bari is flat, Old Town especially. This area of Italy is so interesting to visit.
Thanks for your help. I will consider this.
We love Ostuni and recently spent a week there, but the old part of town within the old walls is basically all steps and ramps with no railings. Matera in the sassi (the cave parts) is the same.
Lecce (within the walls) would be the best town if you are looking for lots to see and places to eat without a lot of steps.
Much depends on how long and what you wish to see, but I agree Bari or Monopoli for the northerly/coastal area and Lecce for the Salento. Otranto or Gallipoli would probably be okay as well, if you prefer to be on the coast during the summer.
The Itria valley villages are somewhat hilly, but they are so small it may not be much of an issue. I'd still look at those places if you like to be somewhere small.