Puglia in February?
 

Hi, everyone.

My husband and I are planning a last-minute week-long trip to Italy, our first vacation in about 4 years. I'd like to see a part of the country that's new to me and, while Puglia and environs sound like a great option, I'd like to know if a February visit is insane before I get too caught up in the planning. Has anyone been to this part of Italy in mid-February? The weather reports look OK and the idea of driving from town to town and walking around sounds lovely.

Thanks very much!

If Puglia is "insane," where in Italy wouldn't be "insane"? I just got back from a week in Rome and was so relieved to be walking around in temps that weren't broiling hot.

If you are thinking of going to beach resorts, many will be closed. If you are interested in the history and culture of Italy, why would it be insane to go see the historic sites, art and towns, and meet the people who live there year-round?

I don't care about beach resorts. Am more concerned that that everything shuts down in February or some other unthought-of reason.

People still live and die there. Beach shacks close up byt museums wll be open though with maybe winter hours. Take something for any rain and miserable days but enjoy.

I am currently in Puglia (Ostuni) and it's extremely cold and quiet. I believe a different time of year would be much better.

Thanks, everyone!

Nutella, what is extremely cold to you? Quiet because there are few tourists sounds very appealing, but quiet because everything is closed or on a very limited schedule does not.

I don't know the temperature, but it's cold enough that I don't want to wander around outdoors unless it's to get from point A to point B. Frozen fingers and runny nose cold. Not to say that it won't warm up when you get here. But the way it is now, IMHO, is not the optimal time to be a tourist here. Most places are closed during the afternoon. You don't see many people around. And most things to do/see are outdoors. I think a big city is the place to be in the winter.

I've seen a lot of articles about how soft Italians are and how a draft of cold air sends them rushing to bed with a thermometre. How true is this?

Have a look at the real-time temperature here:
http://www.ilmeteo.it/meteo/Ostuni

Taranto at 11:50 am 15 C and sunny, windchill 14 C. Taranto is on the other side of the Salento peninsula from Ostuni and ever so slightly further south, but still...

I don't know about you, but my fingers don't freeze at 59 or even 57 F, and my nose doesn't run.

I have been here two weeks, and it has been very cold, after having spent two months in Rome where it was much warmer. However, I'll defer to the experts such as Zerlina who are sitting at their computer in some undisclosed location, who apparently know better.

Well, it turns out that we have to fly into Rome so Puglia will have to wait. Thanks, everyone. Nutella, stay warm.

Rome is magical in any season, enjoy! :)