Base in Puglia: Ostuni or Locorotondo
 

We are going to be spending three or four days in Puglia at the end of June next summer. We would like to have a base somewhere in a small town from which to explore. We have never been in this region of Italy. Do any members of the forum have an opinion on which town would be a better base for travel (or more charming itself), or would anyone suggest another town from which to explore the area. We will have a car and will be driving into the area from the Amalfi Coast, where we will be for several days before visiting Puglia. Thanks!

They are both very nice towns. Ostuni is larger so more choices of restaurants, etc. We stayed in Polignano and were very happy with that as a base from which we visited Ostuni, Locorotundo and several other towns in the region.

I am just about finished with my trip report (http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ast-puglia.cfm) You might find some useful info in it. There are several other recent trip reports on the area, all with lots of great info.

I found Martina Franca to be very nice and well located.

http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/puglia/martina-franca.html

we very much enjoyed Ostuni.

In May this year we based in the countryside outside Ostuni and loved the location for its setting and easy travel (by car) to all the towns mentioned in the other posts. (Click on my name to see my trip report.) If I gas to choose a town to base in it would be a tossup between Locorotondo (smaller but so pretty), Polignano (right next to the sea), Ostuni (bigger but seemed to have lots going on, and still manageable), or Martina Franca (also on the larger side, with impressive architecture). I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

You should specify if you wish to stay in the countryside or in the town itself. I have been researching for my own trip, and I see few accommodations in Locorotondo proper, while an abundance in Ostuni.

Either would be fine.

I would not choose Martina, as I found it a bit of a pain to drive in and out of that fairly large town. Locorotondo would be the easiest to drive into, but also smaller and, as noted, less likely to have a range of rental options. But achingly beautiful. Market day is Friday when parking is hard to find.

I would consider the individual lodging choices, and perhaps make my decision based on their appeal to you.

The entire area is gorgeous, and can be easily covered by car.

Thank you all. Ekscrunchy, the Trulli Isago B&B in Locorotondo sounds like it would be a great place to stay, so that may seal our decision. We don't really need to be in a town, but hopefully we will be within walking distance, and we do prefer smaller towns, so that may rule out Martina. Will have to check out Polignano.