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Southern Italy Itinerary Assistance

Posted by on

We will be completing a Sicily tour at Catania and then would like to explore Puglia and Basilicata. We then have 12 days before we need to be at Naples to fly out. We would like to spend at least 4-5 full days in Naples, and also take day trip to Pompei. Our initial thinking:
Lecce
Ostuni
Alberobello
Matera
Paestrum
Sorrento (to Naples).

We are not familiar with this region at all, tho we have spent considerable time in the upper 2/3rds of Italy.
Is this itinerary a backbreaker?
We are strongly leaning toward public transportation - train primarily. Is that reasonable?
If we took a train from Catania (and I don't know if we can) to Lecce, how long would that be? Should we fly? But the scenary sounds marvelous along gulf of Taranto-yes? no? IF we had a car rental, how long would the drive be from Reggio di Calabria to Lecce? Is the road okay to drive?
What question am I not asking that would be important to know? Thanks.

Posted by
11613 posts

Sounds like a very good itinerary. I travel in Southern Italy a lot, I suggest flying from Catania to Bari, bus or train to the other towns. Allow for less frequent availability than in the north. Sunday's can mean fewer buses. If you can get a car, you could pick it up in Bari and return it when you get to Napoli.

Matera is served by an independent train system so it may not show on Trenitalia's site, but departures are frequent except in the middle of the day.

You don't mention the Amalfi Coast, but you might enjoy it.

Posted by
3648 posts

We spent 10 days in Puglia + Matera last year. After extensive checking, I decided that relying on public transport was too cumbersome and time-consuming. We flew into Bari; and after a couple of days in and around there, we picked up a car. Assuming there are cheap flights, I advise flying to Bari from Catania.
Ostuni was one of my favorites, but half a day is probably sufficient for it. If you want the name of a nice place to stay in Lecce, with parking, pm me.
To see the sights of Matera you need a full (strenuous) day. I also have the name of a guide we used there.
In my opinion, 4 - 5 days in Naples is wa-a-ay too much. I would stay 2 nights max. The rest of that time could be devoted to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.
You can check driving times on viamichelin.com (add 25% to be realistic). All the roads we encountered were fine; and traffic, not bad. However, I'm sure that last depends on the season

Posted by
9 posts

Thank you both so very much for your helpful responses. What is the name of the independent train line...am I able to look it up on line or will it be apparent once we arrive in the area? Is there a particular town from which to catch this train?

Posted by
11613 posts

The train runs from Matera to Bari with many stops in between, I don't remember the company name but it's the only one in Matera. You can probably find it on Rome2Rio.com, and compare it to bus routes and fares - I think it was less than 5€, took a little over an hour. It ends at an extension of the Bari Centrale station, you just have to go downstairs and across the piazza to get to Bari Centrale.

There are two parts to Alberobello, one is more touristy, so be sure to go to the other end of town to see the two-story trullo.

I love Southern Italy, I will be happy to answer any questions you think of.

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