salpo

Our family of 4 (myself, husband, and two teen boys) are planning a trip to Italy Mid June - Early July 2014. Starting with 3 nights in Rome and then headed to Puglia to find a perfect combination of relaxing on the beach and day trips. Then flight from Bari to Venice for a few nights and head home. Looking for a home or apartment for 5-7 nights. Thought Poligano was the place then found a villa on the water in Capitola just south of Monopoli. The villa in Capitola would entail car rental. Any advice on the two towns? Driving in Italy?

ekscrunchy

Polignano is much more dramatic and scenic than Monopoli, but Monopoli has all services, plenty of places to eat, food markets, etc.

It is quite easy to drive in that region; not much traffic at that time of year and roads are good.
Having said that, if this is your first time driving in Italy, it might take some getting used to.

Can you post the specific links for the villas so we can offer further advice? Remember that a villa on the water may or may not have a beach; much of that stretch of coast has access to the sea by way of a rocky shoreline. Do not expect stretches of white sand. Polignano town has a tiny but gorgeous beach flanked by rocky outcroppings. But again, better post the links to the villas.

I've been to Puglia 3 times in the past few years, and wrote two reports on my travels. See if these are any help to you. There are quite few reports by other travelers on this forum, too; you can find them with a search. If you have trouble, I will post the inks.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-di-senise.cfm


http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ern-puglia.cfm

salpo

Here is the home in Capitolo...
It seems like a gem! I will check out your posts! Thank you so much.
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-ren...itownerinquiry

ekscrunchy

Did you choose the two villas in the running because you want to spend time on the beach? If so, keep in mind that the water might be too cool for swimming in June; it is too cool for me to swim before August. But the kids, especially, will be much less fussy about water temps, I imagine!


Otherwise, the location of this seems good...it will not be a difficult drive to Ostuni, Polignano, Alberobello, Martina F, Cisternino, etc. There is a large Carrefour supermarket in a small shopping center next to the Fasano exit of the highway; should be an easy drive from that location and you can stock up on supplies for the week.

salpo

I asked the manager of the home if he felt it would be warm enough and he said yes but not sure he isn't biased. Yes, we are hoping to relax on the beach and do day trips. The area is NOT pretty near the home but ocean front is the draw. I enjoyed your posts! Thanks for all your help!

ekscrunchy

You are welcome. Fell free to return with further questions, and please be sure to report back after you get home!!

salpo

I hope your were serious when you said to return with further questions, ekscrunchy! The ever evolving plan is to stay in Polignano a Mare so we can walk to beach/restaurants and enjoy the wine without driving! but also have a car to drive to Matera (Nadia sounds wonderful), Alberobello,Grottos...
Since we love the beach this is now another idea and would love to get your opinion, please. 4 nights in Polignano (originally 7 nights) and then drive up to Mattinata (Gargano Promontory) to stay at the faded but adequate Baia delle Zagare recommended in Fodor's for 3 nights. From there it would be a 6.5 hour drive to Venice (allegedly). I would love your opinion on driving to Venice and returning our rental at the airport. We would conclude with 2 nights in Venice and fly out from there. Why do people backtrack anymore? OR drive to Bologna and return car and take a train to Venice if it is too crazy to drive there. Do you have any advice? Thank you so much!

ekscrunchy

I will return here later today with a more detailed response, but right now I would say it looks like a decent enough plan, with the caveat that it is a lot of driving for such a short stay in Venice. And frustrating cause you would not be able to stop en route if you had to get to Venice. I think you would be better off limiting the geographical area that you plan to cover.

Would you consider further exploring to the north of Puglia (Abruzzo Molise), both coast and the inland towns, and then a return to drop the car in Rome?

I have NO idea why many people insist on flying in and out of the same city. Yes, it may be marginally less costly, but factor in the coast of returning to the city of arrival and that savings may likely be wiped out. We never do that unless we are remaining in one city for the duration of the vacation.



I have never been to Gargano (we always consider it but the long drive to and from have so far acted as a deterrent; now that we have more free time, it will be on my near-future list) but I wonder if you DO plan to go there, if you might not want to explore the promontory further, to include Vieste and Peschichi. Have you made sure that the hotel you chose is open during your time of stay? I once tried to book them in mid-Stptember only to find that their season was very short....this was about 4 years ago so perhaps they open for a longer period now. Again, I would not count on swimming unless you like very cool water.

salpo

Valid points, all. The hotel is open. We are from the north east so cold water is not fun but a necessary evil. I will talk with the family. Thank you again!