Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Early planning for 2016 trip to Puglia, Calabria & Basilicata

Early planning for 2016 trip to Puglia, Calabria & Basilicata

Old Oct 23rd, 2015, 03:43 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Early planning for 2016 trip to Puglia, Calabria & Basilicata

We just got home from vacation so I'm beginning to plan our next trip which we're pretty certain on taking to Puglia. I'm also thinking of adding day trips to nearby Calabria and Basilicata. If I can come up with enough destinations in Calabria and Basilicata, we would add a base there and split our hotel nights between that base and one the in Puglia.

Our main focus is usually food, scenery and local art. We always rent a car to get around. We've been to Italy several times over the last 18 years but never to the 3 regions noted.

Any suggestions or insights would be greatly appreciated as these regions are not typical destinations. Thanks to all.
His_Dudeness is offline  
Old Oct 23rd, 2015, 04:49 PM
  #2  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
How much time do you plan to spend there and at what time of year?
kja is offline  
Old Oct 23rd, 2015, 10:01 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I didn't write as much on my blog as I intended to but there are a few posts on Puglia and Basilicata which you may find interesting.

http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/search/label/Puglia

I would highly recommend the Crypt of Original Sin outside Matera, one of the most memorable sites from our trip.

http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/2012/...in-matera.html

The very best meal of out rip ( and there was lots of incredible food) was at the slow food favorite Antichi Sapori in nearby Montegrosso. If you're interested in Puglia Romanesque I highly recommend the downloadable Approach Guide.

http://www.approachguides.com/guide/...hes-of-puglia/
welltraveledbrit is offline  
Old Oct 24th, 2015, 01:11 AM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks very much for the responses so far.

We always spend 10 days and never go in the summertime. I'm not sure yet whether we will go in April/May or September/October.
His_Dudeness is offline  
Old Oct 24th, 2015, 04:30 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,067
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We did 8 days in that region a couple years ago (combined with Rome and the Amalfi Coast). Here's my trip report - http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ast-puglia.cfm

We though 8-10 days the perfect amount of time for that region. Of course more is always better but you can see a lot in a relaxed method in that time. We loved the region and highly recommend it. I picked the hotels based on ease of driving to and parking at them, not for charm. But that said I was very happy with the places we stayed.

Have fun planning.
isabel is offline  
Old Oct 24th, 2015, 05:11 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,651
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 1 Post
Pugila is lovely and relatively uncrowded with lots to visit. We spent ~2 weeks there in mid - September 2012 and had perfect weather the entire trip. Matera is a fascinating town and should not be missed. We used Nadia as our guide and she greatly enhanced our time there.

Agree with WTB on the restaurant Antichi Sapori - delicious meal there, probably the standout of the trip. Le Botteghe in Matera was also very good. In general food was excellent with huge quantities served.
Here's our TR
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...a-short-tr.cfm
yestravel is offline  
Old Oct 24th, 2015, 08:46 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Tropea down on the Calabrian coast is delightful. I spent 4 days there just last week.

It's easily reached by train. And there are some terrific restaurants with great food for very reasonable prices. You can take a boat trip out to Stromboli. It's very much an Italian beach town in the summer months, particularly August, but quieter the rest of the year, though not many English-speaking people visit. Our B&B host spoke no English and he has been running his B&B in an old castle in the centre of the old town for years.

If you have any questions, ask away.
julia_t is offline  
Old Oct 24th, 2015, 09:09 AM
  #8  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I visited the area in May a few years ago and thought it lovely!

For Puglia itself, you might consider Lecce as one of your bases. I was also charmed by Trani and Polignano a Mare. I thought Alberobello easily worth a few hours, but was glad I didn't stay there.

Matera, just outside Puglia in Basilicata, is also easily worth a day or two.

Be prepared for VERY long siestas.
kja is offline  
Old Oct 27th, 2015, 03:38 PM
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks so much for your responses.
His_Dudeness is offline  
Old Oct 28th, 2015, 12:09 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 25,426
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
In Basilicata you might look at Potenza (maybe as part of a train trip into or out of Puglia), really interesting town and train trip to Naples is very interesting.

I've cycled around a fair bit of Puglia and even gotten married down there. I'd try and do at least a day's cooking with some people who now a lot about wine

We used YLtour which you can find on FB, Ylenia is a storm of fun and enthusiasm and she knows everyone aroud Lecce.

In terms of places to visit, the usual Lecce/Ostuni/Monopoli stand out but don't ignore Gravina/Martina Franca/Gioa etc. Just about all the towns look rough on the outside but inside every oyster you will find an ancient pearl of marble, church, castle with some good local foods and wines of Aglianico of Negromaro both of which you will find in very few other places.
bilboburgler is online now  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
beverlya
Europe
8
Jun 5th, 2017 06:34 AM
mikster
Europe
14
Jul 4th, 2015 02:41 AM
yorkshire
Europe
13
Dec 9th, 2014 07:35 AM
Elisabeth54
Europe
9
Aug 16th, 2011 01:09 AM
4bams
Europe
21
Jul 11th, 2011 04:45 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -