Southern Italy itinerary help please

It all sounds reasonable but I would head for Salerno/Sorrento (Salerno is easier to get public transport to the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento is not on the Amalfi Coast) and not spend 2N in Rome at first. I would spend 3N in Rome on the return. Makes a much better visit.

I have found driving in Italy to be stress free and easy. Enjoy

Are you visiting Alberbello and Locorotondo on the way Martina Franca or after those towns? Two nights is plenty in Matera, or just one night.
Train is worth a visit from Bari.
We loved our stay in Polignano a Mare last October! We also liked taking the train to Monopoli for the day, Taking train there was easier than finding parking.
In Polignano we really liked staying at
Covo dei Saraceni on a bluff overlooking the Adriatic Sea, the cliffs and old town. Walked all this small city and ate very well.

I'd try to rework a bit to avoid the one-night stays. Are you interested in just the museum in Taranto? (The town gets mixed reviews, but I would not count it out since i have not been there myself). I'd keep the two nights in Matera (would love to spend more there myself, even after two visits--there are some closer day trips you could do). If you pass by Taranto and just do a brief stop, you could put that night to Lecce, then add the Itria Valley night to Polignano, as it is not far drive from there to visit Alberobello, etc. (we visited from nearby Monopoli). So then it becomes 2-4-2-3-3-2
Don't sweat the driving, it is a rural area. Just pay attention to parking and ZTLs!

Revised itinerary...

Arrive Roma, train to Salerno
Salerno 5 N. Daytrips to Sorrento, Amalfi, Ravello, Positano, Pompei-schedule will be loose
Pick up car
Matera, perhaps stop at Buffalo mozz farm on way, daytrip to Alberobello 3N
Locorotondo, Martina Franco 2N
Lecce-return car 2N
Train to Ostuni, then on to Polignano a Mare 2N
Train to Roma 3N

Better? Thank you

We rented a car in Salerno and then drove to Basilicata and Puglia. The driving was fine and it was convenient to have a car since public transportation is limited in the area. We also visited Paestum on the way. I suggest stopping in Matera. It is amazing, one of the most memorable places I’ve been, especially seeing the sassi lit up at night.

Revised itinerary...
Arrive Roma, train to Salerno Salerno 5 N: Daytrips to Sorrento, Amalfi, Ravello, Positano, Pompei-schedule will be loose
Pick up car Matera, perhaps stop at Buffalo mozz farm on way, daytrip to Alberobello 3N
Locorotondo, Martina Franco 2N
Lecce-return car 2N
Train to Ostuni, then on to Polignano a Mare 2N
Train to Roma 3N
Better? Thank you

I like the part where you go to Salerno immediately and put all of your Rome time at the end, but I don't understand doing the day trip to Alberobello from Matera when you are going to be nearby later (see it from Locorotondo or even Polignano), and I would want the car up until the end--just make sure your Lecce accommodation has parking. So, you might consider going back to two nights in Matera if you are not interested in its immediate surroundings. Of course, I have a real aversion to two-night stays (sometimes one night is a necessity, but I just hate two night stops!). Distances are such I think you can still consolidate. You also might not need all five nights in Salerno (I'd want one full day for Salerno/Paestum; one day for Pompeii; one for Ravello, Positano, and Amalfi--if you'd rather go to the Amalfi coast at a more leisurely pace, then do keep the four full days and go twice. Sorrento is not a must, but you might want to see the stuff from Pompeii at the Naples Archaeological Museum).
(Near Matera, you could visit Bernalda, Altamura, Craco)

To consolidate your time, 2 nights in Matera will allow you to get a good overview. Look at Martina Franca as your base for Alberobello, Locorotondo, ( these are easily combined) Ostuni and Taranto. All are under a half hour drive. For a first trip to this area, 1 night in Lecce then 2 in Polignano a Mare.

Visit Vannulo Buffalo Farm and Paestum from Salerno, morning at the farm, lunch, then an afternoon in Paestum, sunsets are beautiful here, the temples glow.

Edit. I believe suki ment Trani not train.

I disagree with 1 night in Lecce, which would likely give you just hours there. Lecce has a sizable and lovely historic district; there are walking tours available. It is much larger than most of the other hotspots in Puglia, with a population of nearly 100,000. Don't try to cram a visit to Lecce into a few hours.

I like your second itinerary. Whether you're in Salerno or Sorrento, I'd recommend traveling by boat from town to town. We spent just a couple hours in Paestum and had too little time for the museum. Alberobello is of interest as a stop on the way to another stay. Mostly the restored and recreated buildings are for tourist interest. And Matera is worthy of at least two nights, especially if you stay in the historic area.

Thanks to all for your time and suggestions.

We will take all info into consideration, and tighten up our itinerary after flights are purchased. A lot will depend on flights, but I am relieved to know that, in general, our plans will work out. Because I cannot do any of the driving, it would be nice to return the car in Lecce, and let my husband enjoy some scenery as we finish up our travels. And we like riding the trains-have had some wonderful games of “charades” with our Italian seat mates!

I will be back with lots more questions as we go, thank you for always being so willing to share your time.
Ciao!

It'll be great--a lovely area and quite easy to travel there. If you are a fan of scenic drives, the coastal drive south from Otranto is nice. Otherwise, we found it fairly unremarkable except entering Lecce can be a touch stressful. Everywhere else it could not be easier.

I live near |Martina Franca and you can merge MF, Loc and Alberobello into a couple of days..max. I would suggest 2n in Polignano is stretching it as it is a small place especially if you have no car. The trains in this part of the world are something else so be prepared to be cast back in time at least 50 years.
The roads are really quiet once you leave the big cities and even Lecce is not that bad. Think about Otranto which is about an hour south of lecce.

If you want sandy beaches the best ones are south of lecce on the ionian sea side, the cliffs and deep water on the adriatic side of salento.
Enjoy yourselves and you did the right think to avoid Taranto as the city is dreadful