finally settled on our one month trip in October.

One week in Rome, one week in Valle d'Itria, Puglia, one week in Salento, Puglia, one week to head through Basiicata to Paestum to Salerno. Drop the rental car off in Salerno and public transport for a quick look at Amalfi Coast and on to Naples for 2 days or so before flying out of Naples.

Looking at rentals in Galatina and more rurally in Martina Franco area.

Any thing you might tweak on this itinerary?

We are a bit nervous about exploring Basiicata but think our basic Italian will be improved by the end of the trip and we will be more confident about driving, etc. There is not too much out there on forums for this area although Lonely Planet guidebook has some good info, so any information will be appreciated.

Also wondering if the weather in Puglia at that time of year will allow much cycling.

We are so PUMPED about this trip! Thank you.

I realize we will only get a peek at Naples and Amalfi Coast but will it for more exploration at another time

> one week to head through Basiicata to Paestum to Salerno

Will you stop in Matera? I found it fascinating.

The museum in Paestum is quite good IMO.

Will you spend any time in Salerno? It has a lovely waterfront and the cathedral has some very special features.

Enjoy!

I like it--nice trip.
Be sure to see Lecce---I know you will. And, a Sunday in Martina Franca was one of my favotite experiences of real Italy.

It sounds divine.

I would not worry too much if the rental is in Martina Franca, Cisternino, Locorotondo, Ostuni, or Ceglie. All of these towns are close to one another. I pondered endlessly about the best location to stay in that area and after visiting, came to realize that there is no one "best" location and that they are all close enough that one can easily visit the others from any base. So just go with the rental that appeals the most... Of the towns I just mentioned, Martina is probably the most difficult to drive in and out of, but you are probably looking at rentals outside the towns, so....

We were there in late September last year and the weather was fabulous..

I agree about including Matera; I've not been, yet, but from all accounts you should plan for at least 2 days there.

I'd be very interested in hearing how your plans progress. We fell in love with Puglia after a very short (only one week) visit last fall and hope to return this year. I will be happy to share any info that I gathered..

I think you have probably seen this excellent report but if not, here are the details, with time spent at a rental in Galatone:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...18-23-2010.cfm

> I agree about including Matera; I've not been, yet, but from all accounts you should plan for at least 2 days there.

I found one day sufficient for Matera itself. You would need more time if you want to visit the caves that are outside of town.

EK posted a fantastic trip report on Puglia. You should be able to find it. A food and travel guide. Good luck.

Thanks for your input....Trip reports from Ekscrunchy and Tedgale were our inspiration to see this part of the Italy.

Yes, I have been worrying about where to stay geographically. The fabulous place mentioned by Tedgale is calling us to Galatina and then looking at various trulli in the Martina Franca area. Looking at a map, it seems that they are 60 miles apart. Wondering if we should just settle into Galatina for the two weeks and take day trips. We don't mind a several hour trip. Any thoughts.

We definitely plan a trip to Leece and Matera. Will probably visit Matera as we head through Basilicata.

It seemed to be most efficient to drop car off in Salerno but wondering if we should stay one or two nights in Amalfi rather than Salerno. Also any ideas on a nice hotel or B&B near Paestum?

And one more question.....is two nights doable for Naples, or should we shorten our trip from Puglia to Naples to allow more time. Any suggestions for a moderately priced hotel in Amalfi, Salerno and Naples?

> is two nights doable for Naples

Depends on what you want to see and experience! That wouldn't be enough time for me.

Have not been to Salerno, but can heartily recommend these moderately priced hotels for Amalfi and (especially) for Naples:

Amalfi - We loved it. Wonderful in every respect, gets top ratings on Tripadvisor as well. http://www.hotelfloridiana.it/en/index.asp

Naples - We really, REALLY <b>LOVED</b> this one. Perfectly located - a block from Santa Charia Cloister, smack in the middle of the historical center in the Spaccanapoli. Huge rooms, huge bathrooms, incredible value (about €110 to €135 depending on season). Cannot say enough good things about it.
http://www.decumani.com/en/ Also gets top ratings on Tripadvisor.

For an idea of what you might care to see and do whilst here in the Campania region, try these collections of photos - from just some of many sites and sights here...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/tele

And for what October can be like, these perhaps?
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/recoct

Peter

Just to be clear, I did not mean that I thought you should choose only one base in Puglia, but I meant that you could pick one in the Salento and then one in any of the places I mentioned above. Although only 60 miles separate those two places, I'm not sure I would want to do that drive more than once. But then, you do not mind the drive, so perhaps.....

You could consider staying at the Floridiana in Amalfi, which has free parking, and then drop the car off in Salerno and take the train to Naples. Just a thought...

In Paestum there seem to be quite a few good-looking spots. I've never seen these, but they might work:

http://www.domuslaeta.com/page01_uk.asp


http://www.ilcannito.com/ (in the hills outside town)


I think you are fine with two nights in Naples. You can't see the city in depth but you can visit some important sites and have some good meals.....I guess everyone will have different opinions on this, however..

Wonderful suggestions. Thank you.

I do think 2 rental locations would be best for seeing as much as possible in 2 weeks. Am wondering about strengths of townhouse in Ostuni vs more rural trulli location near Cisterino. Will Ostuni be closed down and out of season in October?
We don't mind a quiet town but do look forward to variety of cafes, restaurants, etc.
Thanks, I am making progress with decision making.

This is a tough decision.

TOWNHOUSE IN OSTUNI: Pros: Step outside and walk to restaurants, shops, etc. Cons: Ostuni itself is not going to take up more than a day so on most days you will be using the car and therefore have to navigate in and out of town. Ostuni is a hill town and you know what that means.

TRULLI NEAR CISTERNINO: You will have to get into your car to get anyplace, but it will be easy to drive in the countryside. And you have the thrill of staying in the cute trulli!

How do you feel about driving at night, after dinner? Or do you plan to eat dinner at the house?

OF all the towns I mentioned above, I would think that Ostuni and Martina Franca are the largest and the ones most likely to be humming along out of the tourist season. And I am not even sure that October is really out of season in that area. So I would not worry on that score. Ostuni seemed very vibrant, with all sorts of shops and businesses that had nothing to do with tourism. October should be great.

Do you mind posting the links so we can just admire the two places?

Well I am making some progress with plans for this trip. At this point we are going to fly into Naples arriving on a Sunday and stay in Naples 2 nights, moving onto the Amalfi Coast for 4 nights, picking up a rental car in Salerno or Sorrento, driving to Paesum in the morning and then driving to Cisterono for a one week rental. On to Galatina for a week rental, dropping off rental on a Saturday in Brindisi or Bari and the train to Rome for one week rental.

Questions........

1. Bus or train on a Monday to AC.

2. Stay Sorrento, Amalfi, or Salerno.

3. Will we have a problem picking up and dropping off a rent on Saturday.

4. Have found good rentals in Val d'Itria. Cisterono, Locondorona, Ceglie Messapica or carvovigna.
These are all rural with possibilities for cycling. Pools in 2 of them. All things being equal, any preference for any of these locations?

5. Is a pool really a plus in mid October? Too cool to enjoy?

Will send links for rentals next response. Forgot to say we will visit Pompeii from AC. Thank you.

1. You mean Tuesday, correct? What about a ferry from Naples to Amalfi?

2. Amalfi

3. No problem. Take a ferry from Amalfi to Salerno to pick up car (Sorrento would be serious backtracking).

4. ??

5. A pool is October is would be nice to sit next to, not to swim in.

Looking forward to your rental links

I swam in late September but October would be more iffy. Put the links down and we can take a look; I think the plan sounds good so far. I can visualize no problem with car rental on a Saturday but you have to check the hours that the location will be open. Do you have a preferred rental agency or broker? There are reams of threads about this here, as you probably know..make sure to check prices on Italian rental sites to compare with those sites from the US and UK.

My preference would be to stay in Amalfi but with the limited time and the Pompeii inclusion, you might choose Sorrento...you can easily visit the Amalfi Coast from all three places, though.

Bardo1, does the ferry from Amalfi to Salerno run in October?

Esk - thanks for pool reality check. I will eliminate those options as they all tip toward the more expensive side.

Day off today and will post the links for possibilities.

Thank you.

Good point. No, the ferries stop after September 10

http://www.metrodelmare.net/ (website is Italian only, put link in Google search bar for translation)

Sorry - you may not be aware of it but the Metro del Mare isn't the only line operating along the Amalfi Coast...

At least two others, one of which ran thru' to November in 2010...

Alicost : http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/130578291

And also the Co-op Sant'Andrea, whose routes closed variously through to the end of October...

http://www.coopsantandrea.com/eng/se...ervizi_eng.asp

Nothing to or from Naples once the MdM closes, but do note that that happened on October 8th last year, and not 10th September..

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/131551098

Peter