To Pilates, the train station in Matera to town centre is no more than 5-7 minutes walk on flat lanes.

Thanks, Judy.

About Matera, I would add that if you are staying in one of the sassi hotels (which I recommend!), you would have to walk down stairs to get from the train station to your hotel - how many, how steep, and what kind of walk thereafter would depend on which one you select. I almost always walk from train stations to my lodging, but I took a taxi in Matera! Hope that helps.

Judy, Thanks so much!

KJA: Thank you, yes that helps. In Matera do you have a recommendation for a hotel?

Last time we traveled, we went during the shoulder season too. I made a list of hotels, their description and their prices. Each town we went to, I had a fact sheet with hotels, sights to see and restaurants. We winged it for a month. We didn't have any problem finding a hotel except for a slight trouble in Taormina and La Maddalena. It kind of added to the adventure though.

To anyone who reads this thread and would like to add favorite stops, hotels, places to eat, I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks again!

I had a great experience at the Locanda di San Martino -

http://www.locandadisanmartino.it/locandaeng.html

Thank you KJA. I just bookmarked their website. The photos look great.