MoPet

I am beginning to panic a bit that I've left too much unplanned for day trips during our upcoming stay in Puglia later this month. Here's itinerary for husband and I:

Arrive Naples, pick up rental car and drive to Giovinazzo (my grandfather's birthplace) for first night. Hope to dine at White restaurant.
Spend following morning in Giovinazzo doing genealogy research and getting a feel for the town of my ancestors.

That afternoon--head towards Ostuni where we will stay four nights. Trying to decide whether to take in any towns on our way to Ostuni so we won't need to backtrack. Bari? Monopoli?

First night in Ostuni- take in passeggiata and have dinner- no reservations so far, but considering Cielo at La Sommita

Next AM- head to Lecce for the entire day-private tour. Lunch at LaZie. Return to Ostuni for late dinner

Days two and three in Ostuni- would like to make best use of time visiting nearby towns, but not sure how to combine. Would like to see Locorotondo, Martina Franca, Alberobello, Polignano a Mare, and Cisternino.

Last night in Ostuni- have reservation to dine at Il Frantoio- leaving time to explore the grounds beforehand, but we'd have that morning free- down time? Squeeze in another town?

Following stay in Ostuni, head to Matera for two nights- will tour Matera on arrival, and hope to visit Altamura from there. Would also love to see Craco while in Matera. No restaurants booked.

Leave for short stay in Basicalata ancestral town of Avigliano, then on to Sorrento for the last week to explore the Amalfi Coast. Aside from hotel, we have nothing reserved for Sorrento. Risky?

Should I be booking restaurants? I'm the sole planner this time around, and I thought unconstructed time might be best, but I am getting a bit nervous. We have never been South of Rome, and are very excited!
Thanks!

dwdvagamundo

Unless there is a restaurant that is simply a must for you, I see no need to book restaurants in advance and lots of reasons not to do so (e.g., your itinerary may change, you may find a different restaurant you like better).

The only problem we have every had in dining--and a couple of times it was a big problem-- was the closing times (generally between 3:00 (15:00) and 8:00 (20:00) or so), and Sundays.

MoPet

"Days two and three in Ostuni- would like to make best use of time visiting nearby towns, but not sure how to combine. Would like to see Locorotondo, Martina Franca, Alberobello, Polignano a Mare, and Cisternino"

Dwddvagamundo- thanks for your input. I am most concerned about the time highlighted above- not for lack of places to explore, but how to group them to make the most of each day. Good point about the closing times- will have to consider those.

Anyone have input regarding Craco?

ekscrunchy

Craco is definitely worth seeing. The surrounding countryside is almost a moonscape which I found beautiful. Craco is fenced off, so you cannot amble around inside,, or at last that was the case last September when I was there.

Do not worry much about planning a visit to the various towns, from a base in Ostuni. Driving is very easy and distances are not great. For example, head for Alberobello to see that town before the onsalught of tourists arrive. Then head for Locorotondo and have lunch there after wandering around. Early evening, head to Cisternino, walk around, and have dinner at one of the fornello restaurants, or head bak to Ostuni and dine there.

I generally avoid eating in hotel restaurants; you might want to look around more in the Ostuni area, or head to nearby Ceglie which is a sort of restaurant mecca.

ekscrunchy

Also, a drive from Ostuni to Matera could take you past Martina....you could get an early start and see Martina en route.

If you plan to take photos of Craco, you need to inquire about the best times of day to do this.

Also, Pisticci makes a natural stop on a visit to Craco; just make sure to visit when the town is not shut up tight for mid-day break.

Again, this area of Basilicata is just gorgeous and unlike any area I've seen in Italy, or Europe for that matter.