Hello-

OK, we have booked our airfare, lodging, and rental car, and can't wait to visit Italy in October. Our itinerary is as follows:

Pompeii - 1 night
Positnao - 4 nights
Matera - 2 nights
Lecce - 3 nights
Tricase - 4 nights
Cisterno - 3 nights
Rome - 4 nights

My question for the forum is, are there any experiences you have had in Puglia that are not to be missed? Whether they be sights, restaurants, villages, etc.

As a little background on us, we like to travel and experience the culture and while we appreciate the touristy sights, we also like to see how the locals live and interact. We like good food and are enrolled in a full day cooking class in Lecce. I like exploring and finding local food options, but plan to have reservations for one night in each location on arrival, for a well thought of restaurant.

Any advice you can give would be very helpful.. Thank you.

Tyler, I assume you have read the various Puglis trip reports here already, right?

If you haven't for food seek out TRs by ekscrunchy - she has great food recommendations. My TR for Puglia is here
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...a-short-tr.cfm

Our trip report is here

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

And our photos are here

https://flickr.com/photos/[email protected]

For me, the Ristorante Grotta Palazzese in Polignano a Mare -- but it's gotten some poor reviews in recent years, so I don't know whether it is still worth it.
http://www.grottapalazzese.it/en/i-r...-cave-001.html

And just walking around Lecce.

Enjoy!