Now it's time to get serious. After a quick stopover in London and Rome and a sidetrip to Ischia, we will fly or train to Puglia area. (probably Bari) From there, we will rent a car and have about 9 nights. Our rule generally is 3 nights minimum per stay. (we just do better mentally that way.)
so
WHICH 3 Towns would make the best bases from which to tour the many areas of Puglia. Am thinking Lecce, Matera and somewhere around Parco Gargano -- but hoping there is some advice out there about these. Should we make one of the bases at the very bottom of the heel-- or is it too much territory to cover?? Any advice would be appreciated! kawh

If you want to include Matera, which is not in Puglia but it certainly worth 2 nights, and you want 2 other bases, I would make one of thsoe in the trulli zone and one in either the city of Lecce or in the Salento with access to Lecce. Gargano is quite far out of the way; I've never been able to work it into a week-long stay. There is at least one excellent trip report here that includes the peninsula and that you might want to read before making a final decision. But I cannot find it!!! Here is one good one, though:


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

And this:


http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...and-nights.cfm


There are quite a few planning threads that you could find here with a search. I've taken two trips to the area and will be happy to assist as best I can.

There is also this planning thread that discusses Gargano:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-the-south.cfm



And this classic report that includes Basilicata:


http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-revisited.cfm

thanks much for these links.
oh-- i have read your trip reports backwards and forwards! thanks so much for these.
my husband is a birder, so he really wants to go to the gargano... we were going to have 2 weeks, but it got pared down. it's just never enough days... maybe we should just make matera a day-trip and not a base?? will look at these other reports.
kawh

> maybe we should just make matera a day-trip and not a base?

A single overnight - with about a full day in Matera - worked well for me.

You can't go wrong with the Gargano area. I would suggest either Peschici or Vieste on the coast. There is lot's to do if you love the beach and nature. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. I'm there every year, month of July, so I know the area very well.

Frank if you don't mind, I will ask: Can you give any idea of the differences between the two Gargano bases you mention? Any reason to choose one or the other? I've not yet been to the Gargano but will make it there one of these days and your answer might help the OP, too.

Thanks!

yes-- frank- any particular places in either town you recommend? particularly any places that have a view of the water?

and -- we may be adding extra time to our trip and looking for 4 bases after all, based on your comments ekscrunchy. may not go to ischia before coming over to the puglia area.

frank-- one more thing. we will have a car-- which often makes it difficult (in town) to find a charming little b&b as opposed to a big hotel. would prefer to be at a smaller place, but need parking available. any ideas?? thanks! kawh

Sorry it took a while. here are the answers to the 3 comments.

Vieste is a larger town about double the size of Peschici. Both are great places to stay. The drive between the 2 locations is about 30-40 mins. Peschici is located between the 3 main tourist areas which are Vieste - Peschici - Rodi Gargano.

As for places to stay in Peschici with a view of the water. Hotel Peschici is located within Peschici and has a great view of the water. Hotel D'Amato / Hotel Mareitalia are located on or close to the main beach. There are also numerous B&B and Agrotourisms in the area. I can recommend Torre dei Preti as a bed and breakfast. I have not stayed there but have heard good things about it. There are lots of places to stay depends on your budget. Also when do you plan on being there?

I see you will have a car. There is a cute hotel, with a great view of the coast, about 5 min. from Peschici which is owned by a friend of mine. It is also has a great restaruant, one the best in town. My friends stay there when they visit. If it interestes you I can contact them and get you a discounted rate.

Sorry, here is the link to the Hotel. It's not a large hotel but the location is great and lots of parking and the service is very good. You also have parking available.

www.lacollinettagargano.com

If you do not feel like driving from town to town there is a local train service which you can take. It leaves from Peschici and will take you up to San Severo. It covers most of the Gargano. www.ferroviedelgargano.com

Also I have heard, but cannot confirm that they will be introducing a water taxi which will run between Vieste-Peschici-Rodi Gargano. I cannot confirm it at this time.

thanks so much frank. yes-- we just discovered the train, though i can't quite figure out the schedule-- but probably we will have a car. a water taxi would be fantastic... i will keep my eye out for that.

as i look into this more, i see that we may need to be based closer to the area around manfredonia. the driving times are long and my husband really wants to go bird-watching. that means, we think, that we will have to be fairly close to one of the park offices. not sure yet== he is going to try to contact some birdwatchers and we'll see. but, sadly, it looks like peschici will be to far out as a base. (birding begins at 6 in the morning!) i can't tell from the web page what the view looks like from your friend's hotel... they might want to add a picture of the view from the rooms or terrace. (that's always one of the first things i look at.) we are starting to get a handle on our itinerary and you have really been kind with your help.
kawh

Hi Kawh - The main forest in Puglia is located about 15-30 min. from Vieste, depending on how you drive. A little further from Peschici. It is called the Foresta Umbra which is part of the Gargano National Park.

www.parks.it/parco.nazionale.gargano/Epar.php

I would not suggest Manfredonia, I normaly stay away. There is not much around Manfredonia, very industrial, petro chemicals. It's also quite a drive to the Forest and is at the end of Gargano National Park.

Anyways have fun and enjoy yourself.