My husband and I desire to leave the snow in January/February, and head to southern Italy. Looking for suggestions in southern Italy for a friendly town/city with a town center/square when people meet, has transportation to other nearby towns, is safe and is large enough to be interesting for a month. I’m thinking of the Puglia region which might be less touristy and hilly than Naples or Sicily.
So anxious to get back to my Italian roots! Any thoughts? Piacere!
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2560 posts
Lecce, with a population of about 80K, is a hub for Southern Puglia with frequent train connections to Brindisi, Monopoli and Bari; bus connections to many other towns.
Posted by
North Italy
460 posts
I would stay in Trani. Easy to use the train to go up and down the coast to Barletta, Giovinazzo, Bari, Monopoli etc etc . Nice to be by the sea even in winter (Lecce isn't). It's a sort-of provincial capital (with Barletta and Andria) so doesn't close down in winter (restaurants are also popular with locals for a day out from bari or elsewhere), long walk along the sea front, nice little park, fishermen who come in with their catch late afternoon, friendly people. There are always people strolling by the harbour I've been several times and haven't managed winter yet but I will sooner or later!
https://slowtravelitalyspain.blogspot.com/2023/04/why-i-love-trani.html
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16479 posts
One month is a long time to stay in one place. If you don't plan to have a car, you may want to make sure it is a place with great transportation connections to other places to take day trips. Considering you are going in winter, I'd choose a city with plenty to do and great transportation links, like Bari. If you prefer a smaller town, I would still choose one very close to Bari, like Giovinazzo.