Have the rough draught of itinerary for our trip in May 2018. We will be driving from the Dolomites and working our way down to Matera then drive around the heel of Italy. Has anyone done this scenic route . We want to stop in Gallipoli then down to Marina di Leuca up around to Brindisi. We have 3 nights. One of those in Gallipoli and the other in Brindisi for an early morning flight. Does anyone have a recommendation for another stop on this coastal route.
Posted by
Salt Lake City, UT (Previous Seattle, WA)
315 posts
That is one long drive! The heel is on my list for 2018 and I will spend 7-10 days. I gave 3 nights a thought for our Sept 2017 trip and made a decision the area needed far more time. Spent 5-7 days in the Dolomites several times and still would like to do more.
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2334 posts
Otranto is the obvious choice if you want to stick to the coast, and is a worthy destination. Lecce is also well worth visiting. Maybe others will have "off-the-beaten-path" suggestions. Changing lodgings every night kills me off, but maybe you're younger!
Posted by
Bendigo, Australia
1298 posts
We spent two nights in Matera, and enjoyed a bedroom in a cave. La Dolce Vita B&B.
Posted by
Bendigo, Australia
1298 posts
We spent two nights in Matera, and enjoyed a bedroom in a cave. La Dolce Vita B&B.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11846 posts
We chose Lecce as a base and spent one day driving the heel from Porto Cesareo all the way around and back to Lecce. We did not go all the way to Brindisi that day, though.
Gallipoli was a stop for us but I probably would not spend the night there. Lecce has more to offer and if you have 3 nights you could easily spend them there and day trip elsewhere including the heel drive. Leuca was a perfect lunch stop.
Be sure you drive counterclockwise for the best sea views.
Posted by
OP
Ontario Canada
690 posts
Thank you all for your quick replies. Janet not so young but will pull myself together for our last few days on a month's journey.
Has anybody got a suggestion on where we might stay in Otranto?? Laurel sounds as though you may have one.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11846 posts
We stayed in Lecce at the Mirage B&B. Great location and price. Lecce really has a lot to offer as a base.
Posted by
seattle
2147 posts
We stayed in Lecce , Galllipoli and Oltrano. Lecce definitely has the most to do. We went to the southern tip to Marina di Leuca and were very underwhelmed and wish we saved the drive time and stayed further north.