anconeus

We will be arriving to Bari, Italy via ferry from Croatia at 7 am in mid september. We have 3 full days to spend in this area of Italy, and flying out from Naples on the 4th day morning.

How would you recommend splitting the time for those 3 days?
(husband and wife traveling, early 30-ies, speak some Italian, 4-5 star hotel budget, top goals are to see as much as reasonable possible with a focus on history and highlights of the region as well as eat very well for those 3 days, so places with great restaurants would be highly appreciated. We are the sort of travelers who dont mind driving every day and dont mind busy itineraries if that allows us to see more, especially considering the freedom of having a car.

Thank you very much in advance for taking the time to respond

lancer11

We will be in Pulgia for the first time in September. So I can't help with much however, we are seeing Bari, Monopoli, Polignano a mare both are along the coast near Bari. Martina Franca, Alberobello more inland and Matera which isn't in Pulgia but close.

Not sure this is much help. Good luck and enjoy. Everything I see or read about Pulgia is amazing

DeborahAnn

We just got back this week from two weeks in Puglia which included a 3 night stay in Matera. You have such a short time to see Puglia and although the distances are not great we found the driving to be rather slow. Matera was unlike anything we have ever seen and was the highlight of our trip. I would certainly recommend that as a destination and leave Puglia for a trip when you might have more time. JMO, Deborah

lancer11

@ Deborah any suggestions for restaurants? We are staying at Locanda di San Martino, Thanks

jft

We spent 2 nights at Locanda di San Martino May 18-20th and really liked the hotel. It is walking distance to many restaurants. We went to the Osteria de Pico and while the food especially the appetiser platter was very good, the service was not.

tuscanlifeedit

My experience is that the food in Matera is good.

Aren't there some top hotels/dining on the Gargano Peninsula? I haven't been but remember reading a few things here.

History: Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum,

Throw in a little Amalfi Coast and you have too much to choose from. The only spot that might not make 4 to 5 star hotels easy would be Paestum, but you like to drive and it could be a drive by.

DeborahAnn

lancer11, our favorite meal was at Cenacola degli Artisi Reservations are usually needed. Great care is taken by the owner. He took my entree away as it was being set in front of me because the decorative glaze surrounding my fish was smudged!!

We had a good lunch at Le Dodici Lune--its a little bit of a climb to get there however.

Our timing was perfect arriving for lunch at Il Terrazzino without reservations. We ate outside on the terrace. The food was fine but the view is magical

I hope you enjoy Matera as much as we did. Deborah

kja

En route, Matera is an obvious choice, and you shouldn't have any problem finding good food there -- just ask your hotel staff. Depending on your interests, consider giving Matera at least one night, if not two.

Are you leaving time for Naples? Its a fascinating city with (IMO) extraordinary food options, easily worth 4 or 5 full days just for the highlights....