Taking a ride...!

We stayed at Il Granaio dei Casabella in 2015. Only regret is we were there only one night.

Memories of our trip through Southern Italy never fails to put a smile on my face! Matera is my special place---magical! We stayed at the Locanda di San Martino, a wonderful hotel that had a particularly helpful staff where we had laundry done for us. The breakfast we had was superb! It is not what you think of as a typical hotel since it is constructed in the hillside cave. The rooms are not lined up but rather fit the configuration of the cave. They are spacious and very clean, but the special treat was the spa that is located under the hotel. The time we spent in that spa was without a doubt the most relaxing time that we have ever spent while traveling! Our stay there was more than a place to sleep, it was an experience. I can only hope that the pandemic has not changed the experience for those that follow it.

I stayed at B&B La Chora Di Paestum, a very short drive to the historic site and museum. Wonderful hosts, nicely appointed, comfortable rooms, excellent breakfast in the serenity of agricultural fields. Watch out for the ZTL in Paestum.

As far as car rental, my one and only choice has been autoeurope.com. Good selection, outstanding customer service, competitive pricing, headquartered in Maine. I always choose and recommend zero deductible insurance while driving in Italy.

I will second staying at Locanda di San Martino in Matera. We stayed in one of their cave rooms, which was really lovely. Matera is one of the few places I would recommend a tour guide. We had a wonderful and very informative tour with Antonio Manicone. Here is a link for him: materatourguide.it. Good luck with your planning. Let's hope travel will be safer in 2022.

Is there some reason you are deleting your posts? I have responded to a few, and you never reply and they are now gone. I find it polite to at least acknowledge when people try to assist you, or at least leave the answered posts up for others--just saying.

The responses have most certainly helped with the evolution of my trip. Thanks to all who have taken the time to make such wonderful suggestions. The more the merrier!

That is much appreciated Woody--I just hate it when posts that are full of helpful information go away, or just go into the ether. Best of luck with your trip planning!

Please understand the implications when you delete your own posts. Once they have been written to the answers are available for everybody to see and to learn from. This isn’t so much one-to-one here as one to many.

People put a lot of time and energy ( they don’t work for any money, everything is volunteer), into writing for people and doing research, and it can be very demoralising when the posts vaporise. Some people when they see that happen will stop posting to the individual’s questions.

You are free to do as you wish of course, but just please understand the impression that happens on the other side of the Internet.

I second Locanda di San Martino hotel in Matera!

I too recommend Locanda di San Martino

Great advice! For those of you who stayed at Locanda di San Martino were you by any chance booked in a "Junior Suite in Depandance" which I have ascertained to be about 250 m from the hotel.

Was in Matera in 2018 and is one of my favorite places besides Venice. When you are there please attend the Caso Nalo (your hotel should be able to direct you. It is an eye opening film about Matera and the Sassi.
Also I do recommend a guide as well for 2 hours at least to give you some of the history.
Enjoy

Has anyone else who has been to Matera been to The crypt of original sin - La cripta del peccato originale? Found it fascinating and not your typical tourist stop.

Congratulations you made the best choice Paestum and Matera two beautiful cities absolutely to see. We have been to both places Sorrento, Paestum, and Matera you could think of renting a car in Sorrento and drive to Matera with a stop in Paestum or hiring a driver. The first option is certainly the best and the cheapest. Renting a driver from Sorrento to Matera cost could be very high.
In any way, I can recommend this private limo service we have used it several times and I believe that their quality-price ratio is the best, also you can find dozens and dozens of private drivers on the Amalfi coast but be careful more than 50% are without any authorization and without any passenger insurance.

Great suggestions keep coming in. Highly appreciated! Just wondering if anyone has rented a car in Sorrento, dropped it off in Bari, and taken the train to Naples? I don't mind adventures and from what I have read the train from Bari to Naples might be one.

forget it I do not suggest you to take the train from Bari to Naples, Puglia is not well connected. Try here this is the official website of Italian trains choose your travel dates and look for some train to Naples from Bari. Same thing in Naples I do not recommend taking the train to Sorrento can be very dangerous look for an alternative as a private driver in Naples to Sorrento. For car rental in Sorrento, as I have already written, you will find B-Rent a very valid alternative to herts their cars and their prices are the best on the market as long as you book at least 3 months in advance I leave you their websites they are present throughout Italy. Another alternative can be Sicily by car or Rentalcars.com. I'm recommending serious companies and among the cheapest on the market.

Same thing in Naples I do not recommend taking the train to Sorrento can be very dangerous

paulbornstein, we've taken the train from Naples to Sorrento with no problem. Are you concerned about pickpockets? Or some other danger? The last time we were in the area we had planned to take the bus from the airport to Sorrento, but missed to connection. So we just took the train; no problem. We've also taken the ferry (the other direction, though, Sorrento to Naples) which was fun.

While we’ve used a variety of car rental companies on trips to Europe, the one we rent from most frequently has been Europcar. Their prices have usually been the best, the cars have been in great shape, and a variety of vehicles are available, depending on the size of the group, and travel needs.

We actually returned our car in Sorrento, having picked it up in Sicily, and crossing to mainland Italy on the car ferry. Easy drop off in Sorrento, and I’d have to think that pickup would be straightforward and smooth, too. No extra charge for picking up in one city and dropping of in another - but make sure before you rent from whatever company, as some could charge a hefty fee. We visited Paestum as a one-afternoon stand, and stayed the night farther north, in Salerno, on our way towards Sorrento, but it looks like you’ve got your Paestum lodging recommendation. Hope your trip happens this time, so you’ll be able to uncross your fingers before much longer!

I need some reassurance! Has anyone who stayed at Locanda de San Martino in Matera booked a "Junior Suite in Depandance, and, if so, your thoughts? (This is the only booking option currently available.) I still am considering dropping off my rental car in Bari and boarding a train for Naples. Has anyone done this? Any and all suggestions continue to be highly appreciated!