PUGLIA TRIP REPORT MAY 8-21, 2025
TAKEAWAYS ABOUT PUGLIA
Things close up and go to sleep from 1PM until 5-6. Restaurants are open until 2:30- 3. They open again at 7:30.
Almost everything (>95%) can be paid with credit card.
Trenitalia app provides EVERYTHING you need if using public transportation! It is awesome
Costs of public transportation: inexpensive. Monopoli-Pulignano 1.3 euros; monopoli - Bari 3.5 euros; Bari - Locorotundo (bus) 5.9 euros.
The people are extremely welcoming and gracious and anxious to help.
Although everyone says if ask if they speak English that they speak very little, they almost always speak more than enough to communicate.
We did the first 9 days (Brindisi north) without a car and the last 4 days (Salento/Lecce) with a rental car. It is absolutely no problem getting to Lecce without a car, but to go out from Lecce a car is nice. If I were to do it again, I would not rent a car.
A good number of cruise ship use Bari for the day and large numbers of cruisers visit Alberobello (the center of the trullis) and the ancient city of Matera. I used Whatisinport.com to schedule my visits to these places on days without ships in port.
Before leaving, download and familiarize yourself with WhatsApp. Every single Air BNB host used it to text us. Texting without charge. Very convenient and the preferred method.
The weather was just about perfect for us. Typical high temp was 78 degrees. We only had rain one night from 7PM to 8 AM. Our dates were May 8 to May 22.
My wife and I are in our upper 70’s, in fact, this year is a year of celebration as I turn 80. We have extensive experience as independent travelers over the last 35 years. We are both fit for our age, but stairs are more difficult and we are slowing down. Feeling well has become more important than the weather. In visiting PUGLIA we are hoping to experience Italy as it was 36 years ago when we first visited. We are long time disciples of Rick Steves. I have used extensively and received wonderful help from travel forums. My hope is that this TR will assist someone else. We spent two weeks here, the first 9 days using public transportation and renting a car for the last 5 days.
DAY 1
Arrival from San Diego in Rome (FCO) at 9:30 am. We made an easy transfer to Ryan Air flight ($150 for both) to Brindisi at 12:30. Took 1hour. Initially I considered the train, but flying was far more efficient and not much different in price (less expensive I think).
Brindisi airport small and easy. Walked out side and caught the bus to the train station and then the train to Monopoli. I bought the entire ticket, bus and train, on Trenitalia app.
DAY 2 MONOPOLI
After cornetto and cappuccino, we are off to see the old town. Pranzo of paninis in the old town. Still jet lagging a bit, back to our Airbnb for a nap before a great pizza dinner. Things much less expensive here. Two nice pies, Coke Zero and a glass of house wine for 27 euros (pies were good sized, one would have done it).
Air BnB one to two block from old town which was perfect…. about 10 min walk to train/bus station.
DAY 3 SUNDAY MONOPOLI AND PULIAGNO E MARE
Again spent the morning walking around the old town, lots of people about. Had a great lunch at Trattoria San Domenico. Then took the train to Pulignano. TOTALLY different vibe here. Lots of tourists and tour groups, souvenir shops, etc. really pretty, great gelato (but when have I not had great gelato). Really like Monopoli.
DAY 4 MONDAY TO LOCOROTUNDO
Whereas there are defined train stations, even in small towns, in smaller towns the are only bus stops and not a station. I was uncertain and uncomfortable trying to figure it out where to catch the bus from Monopoli to Locorotundo (although later I found out there was a direct bus). Consequently, we took the train from Monopoli to Bari (about 1 hr and 6 euros) and then a bus to Locorotundo (about 40 minutes).