I'm considering flying into Rome from Australia (21 hours roughly) and instead of going into Rome for the night or an airport hotel, I thought I would just fly to Puglia straightaway to go to Lecce and surrounds. If you had to choose between Bari and Brindisi for an overnight stay and short visit, which would it be? I will have to travel back to Brindisi to fly to Palermo anyway so will have a wee look at it then. TIA.

I really liked Bari. Interesting historic centre and nice harbour/port. Few foreign tourists. Easy by train to Lecce. Can't comment on Brindisi as only saw the airport!

Brindisi is good too. You can catch the coach from either to Lecce

Thank you both.