neckervd

Naples - Martina Franca by public transport:
Naples dp by train 8.45 - Taranto ar 12.55, dp by bus 13.17 - Martina Franca ar 14.23.It's a 700 metres walk from the bus terminal at Via Europa to Via Raguso 29.

ellen75005

Thanks for the suggestions, AZ! I'm starting with Seasons in Basilicata which I just ordered and I look forward to digging into it. Really looking forward to exploring Puglia and Sicily!

neckervd

CRISTO SI E FERMATO A EBOLI
If you are interested in Carlo Levy, visit the Carlo Levy section in the museum of Matera.

AlessandraZoe

Ellen, I am so sorry--

I just realized I made a big boo-boo of my description of the movie "The Leopard". I re-read what I wrote here and went, "Darn it!"

Let me be clear. When "The Leopard" was originally released in the US, I believe the movie was badly dubbed in English, making the movie sound like some cheapie "Coliseum Theatre" type film. The latest re-edited release (2106?) HAS English subtitles, and Burt Lancaster's voice has been dubbed by an Italian actor. You think that would ruin it. No. It still sounds like Burt and having to concentrate on his face rather than his speech makes one appreciate his amazing performance.

Happy planning and reading,
AZ

OReilly64

Hi Ellen:



Sorry, I did not get back sooner - busy in work



OK, re renting a car. I just want to emphasize that the reason I didn’t hire a car is that I let my driving license lapse when I moved to London and never bothered getting it bac, as it would involve driving lessons and tests and I (pre COVID) worked away from home at least three days per weeks most weeks, so never had the time.

Also, I had several successful trips using public transportation in Spain and Northern Italy. When I started planning Puglia, it was clear that this was going to be a challenge and an adventure, but turned out more so when I got there! Don’t get me wrong, I am glad I did it and if public transportation is the only way to do it, then do it!



However, if you can rent a car, then PLEASE do so. I have no mobility issues and am very fit, capable of walking a miles a day, but I am hyper aware of mobility challenges because I have two sisters with arthritis and train travel in Puglia is not friendly for those with mobility problems. I only remember elevators in Bari train station. Also, as mentioned, stations (bus or train) are not necessarily close to the historic centres, so there was a lot of walking involved and a lot of it uphill.



So, it is ‘doable’, but being fairly fit is required unless you want to hire cars/limos which is extremely expensive. Again, there is a complete dearth of local taxis and they are apparently exorbitant.



Re staying in Martina Franca for a few days – YES! I adored the town and it is unique. Second favorite after Lecce, which is a walker’s paradise and has incredible restaurants. I stayed in Polinare del Mare because I wanted to be on the sea, but would have been also happy in Martina Franca. A friend stayed in a Trullo house just outside Martina Franca (with pool) and loved it. Let me know if you want the name.



Let me know if I can help with anything else.



Kind regards Ger

bilboburgler

Derth of taxis, ummmm, certainly I've used restaurants, hotels to get them for me plus airports, bus stations and taxi ranks. The only issue I can think of is cash is better than card for most things.

ellen75005

Hi Everyone,

I can't believe our Italy trip is only a few months away - and it may even happen! We've done a lot of thinking and planning these past few months and this is where we've landed (contrary to the title of this thread).

I will have spent three weeks solo in Paris (my soul home) in October and will fly from there to Naples on the 22nd where I'll meet my husband and adult daughter who will be arriving from the US. We'll spend a few days in Naples so that they can adjust their internal clocks. We also LOVE Naples, so we'll enjoy doing more exploring there. We'll train from Naples to Lecce on October 26. We'll spend three nights in Lecce and while there, I'm hoping to do a day trip to Otranto.

The major change from the original post is that we've decided to rent a car as we feel it will give us maximum flexibility. It took a while to come to that decision, but we're happy and very comfortable with it.

On Oct. 29 we'll drive up to Martina Franca which will be our base for the next three nights. We plan to explore it and the neighboring towns and possibly Matera while there.

We'll drop the car at the Bari airport and fly to Rome on November 1. From there our daughter will fly back to the US and we'll train to Siena for five nights. We found the Hotel Santa Caterina in Siena a number of years ago and it's our home away from home in Tuscany, so it will be a fitting way to end our trip. We'll train back down to Rome and stay at the airport Hilton before our early flight back to the US on the 7th.

We had to drop Sicily from this trip, unfortunately, but we'll save it for the not-to-distant future. We're holding our breath hat Covid won't throw a monkey wrench into our plans.

Again, thank you all who gave us your sage advice; we took it to heart and are so excited to once again be back to the country we both love!

Ciao,
Ellen

annhig

I only just found this thread, Ellen, and I'm impressed by the way you took on all the advice and adapted the original plan so it better suits what you really want to do. Mainly I think that dropping trying to do Sicily as well is a very good idea - it really deserves a trip by itself and giving it that will make planning a lot easier.

raincitygirl

That all sounds great Ellen! I'm glad you decided on having a car in Puglia, you'll have more flexibility that way. We took a day trip to Matera from the masseria near Ostuni where we stayed for part of our trip. It was a long day trip but perfectly do-able and really worth it. I think I mentioned our local guide's name upthread.
Have a wonderful trip!

progol

Sounds like a fabulous plan, Ellen! I, too, hope it all works out! We are off to Croatia and then Puglia/AC/Naples in September/October. Funny, we'll be leaving Naples the day you arrive! Maybe we'll pass each other in the airport!!