Ciao! I am a women travelling solo in south Italy for two weeks at the end of May. Outside of RS guidebook territory! I have friends in Otranto and Naples and the rest of the time I will be travelling with backpack by train and bus. Does anyone have and tips on places to not miss/ avoid. I would love to stay on a rustic farm for a few days but I haven't found one yet. Any ideas??
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
While in the Naples area, try to get to Caserta 30 min N, wonderful wed. market, and see the Caserta Palace...It's a mini Versailles. Cuma, is also worth a visit. The cave of the sybils and the phlegren fields. Some very interesting towns on this "other" side of Naples. For the farm stay check out agritusimo.it On the Adratic side, the Puglia region has it all, Vieste for beautiful beaches and of course the Trullo Houses.
Posted by
Cesena, Italy
791 posts
If you go to Apuglia definitly try to stay in a Trullo. Great experience.
Posted by
Key West, FL, United States
72 posts
We were in Southern Italy last fall, had a car and traveled through the Gargano Peninsula, then to Matera, and further south. We stayed in a nice new agriturismo just outside of Lecce, they can be contacted at arangea.it. We found it on agriturismo.it. We loved staying there and it was convenient for visiting Gallipoli and Otranto. We had to make a choice due to limited time so we opted for Matera over Alberobello. We are glad we did, Matera is amazing. The hotel we stayed in, Locanda di San Martino, is built in to a cave and was everything we had hoped for. Great breakfast too. We definitely recommend Gallipoli and Otranto. We dropped off the car in Lecce and planned to spend our last day there before taking the night train to Rome. Unfortunately it rained all day so we didn't see much of the city. But I am sure it is beautiful. The Gargano Peninsula is amazing also but I don't know about seeing it via public transportation.
Posted by
Rome
27 posts
Dear Joanna if you get a chance visit Sicily. I would say see Palermo and then San Vito. It is so much different from the rest of the country, not to mention fantastic food. Be careful while in Naples... lot of pick pocketing and stay with eyes open in Naples hotels...
Posted by
Sacramento, CA, United States
23 posts
Visit Paestum! See Greek temples from 550 BC. Stay at Hotel Villa Rita. RS actually mentions this in his Italy book. There is an agriturismo in Paestum - you can find it on Trip Advisor.com Trianon's Pizzeria in Naples is the best!!! I still crave it. Look into the Campania Artecard - a great value for trains, buses and admissions.
Posted by
OP
Burnaby, BC, Canada
4 posts
Thank you all so much for your replies! Suddenly I don't feel so alone in my travel planning, it really makes a difference to hear from people who have actually been there. I look forward to looking into your suggestions : )