I have been researching same and found this website. The menu on the left under the Masserie tab holds a wealth of info, including a "link" tab that includes holiday rental sites, and a "reading" tab with book titles and info.

Don't know if it will interest you, but I found that information on the Salento is not easy to come by.

http://www.masseriauccio.com/index.php/english/Masseria-Uccio-nel-Salento.html

We have only been as far south as Martina Franca area, but are spending a few days around Lecce and south this fall.

Would you consider doing a trip report for the rest of us when you return? I would also love to hear feedBack on your month in Palermo Trapani area. Palermo's a great town!

Thanks so far! Palermo will try and dredge through the memory! My youngest wasnt yet a year and it seemed to all be a bit of a blurrr.

I have ttted Calling Ekscrunchy for myself, Franco has some great Salento recommendations.

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/calling-ekscrunchy-and-other-pugliaphiles-puglia-itinerary-in-progress.cfm

Thanks for the link. That is just great....current itnerary is kooking something like:

Arrive rome: 4 days to deal with jetlag in kids
1 week: ponza island
1 week: driving from ferry to Otranto to include stops in matera for a couple of nights, perhaps gallipoli, s-m di leuca
2 weeks otranto (well just outside on the beach)
2 weeks ostuni area (carovigno)
Soverato in calabria for a week or so
Tropea for a week or so
Then onto Sicily for a month...Siracusa for two weeks, then Ragusa area for 2 weeks.

Still a lot to consider

That is an epic vacation! You have a lot of planning to do in a short time.

Heading off tonight. Emirates from Sydney vi Dubai into Fiumicino. Emirates was by far the most cost effective and we get to ride the A380 the entire way. We love this plane as there is so much room for the two kids. We arrive just after lunchtime European time 22 August and are staying in Trastevere fr a change. We booked the apartment through ownersdirect.co.uk and have a long term lease on a 7 seater Renault Grand Scenic. Trip reports to follow.

Sounds so exciting, macattack. We leave on Sept 8 for Zurich. Anticipation is mounting.

I'm looking forward to your trip reports. Puglia and Sicily through the eyes of a family, sounds wonderful. Have a great trip!

Yes please to hear about your trip when you get back! Do you mind me asking how old are your children and did you break the journey in Dubai or push straight through? Hope you have a great time!

Echoing the pleas for a trip report!

Do not forget that you will dip into Basilicata en route from Puglia to Calabria!

Hi. I am collating a trip report as I go, but if you have interest I am blogging a bit under

http://deeplymadlydaddy.com/

Cheers

great blog, macattack! we're thinking about Sicily next spring so i'm really wanting more!