Puglia advice
 

We are planning a 3week trip to Tuscany, Puglia and Paris in October. My question concerns Puglia. We have 5 nights and a car in Puglia. Planning to spend 3 nights near Fasano at Masseria Montenapoleone. Then two nights at the Risorgimento in Lecce. I am now wondering whether it makes sense to move to Lecce the last 2 nights, or whether it is just easier to stay put,and drive the extra distance one day to see Lecce, Otranto and Galipolli. We are leaving from Brindisi so either location is easily accessible to the airport. I would be very grateful for any feedback. Also, thank you for all the fabulous trip, restaurant and food reviews for Puglia. Your reports have inspired me to go.

My thinking on it is, if you have a car, throwing your suitcases in the trunk is easier than driving a long way back at night, especially if you want to dine in another locale.

> I am now wondering whether it makes sense to move to Lecce the last 2 nights, or whether it is just easier to stay put,and drive the extra distance one day to see Lecce, Otranto and Galipolli.

I was very glad that I chose to stay overnight in Lecce. Seeing it's over-the-top architectural ornamentation in various lights - morning, afternoon, evening, night - was a true joy. And I'm not even particularly fond of Baroque!

And I was glad that I had about a full day in Lecce - I arrived late afternoon on one day and left even later the afternoon of the next. I could have used a bit more time, but I saw the things that were my highest priorities.

BTW, at least when I was there (late May 2007), the siesta was long and pervasive - almost everything, including cafes, closed for at least 2 hours. Plan accordingly!

Hope that helps.

I think I would move to lecce...I think it would be very difficult to do lecce, otranto, and Gallipoli all in one day. You would have a lot of driving time each way and in between towns, plus the towns literally shut down between 12-3 or sometimes 4 so fitting 3 places in would be difficult anyways. I would spend a full day in lecce, and then do otranto and Gallipoli in one day, planning a long lunch in one to occupy yourself during the closures.

We just got back from Puglia last week...I will post our trip report for you...

Here you go!

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...t-do-italy.cfm

i agree with above. lecce is a town that it's nice to settle into a bit. i admire your desire to keep it slow-- but in this case, the slow pace may be better served by moving on to a place in lecce. see my recent trip report for more on lecce. we loved it. (and don't miss when everything on the square stops daily at noon for a little slice of opera.) we loved bar cin cin for this.

Lecce/Otranto/Gallipoli is not a daytrip from Fasano, unless you're a masochist. I agree with the others - move locales for the last 2 nights.

Thank you so much for the input. Getting ready to read jamikins report right now. I will definitely keep the 2 nights in Lecce. I'm wondering how the coast will be (south of Lecce) mid October in terms of what is open, but i guess we'll find out! Thanks again for the feedback.