Route to Puglia - Matera Puglia or vice versa
 

We are having a dilemma. We are spending 4 nights in Amalfi/Positano. We originally thought it would be ideal to drive first to Matera and then to Puglia. However, we are thinking that it would make more sense to:

1) drive from Amalfi to Lecce (our first base) and explore the southern part of Puglia.

2. Drive North and find our second base (any suggestions - Ostuni?) and explore the area.

3. Make Matera our final destination instead of our first abd drive back to Rome.

What do you think? I would really appreciate your advice.

Thank you so very much, Martu518

My own inclination would be stop in Matera first because it is too long and challenging to drive all the way to Lecce in a single day.

I would also dump the car in Bari and take the train back to Rome. If you make Matera your last stop, dump the car in Potenza and take the train.

Similar as sandra but I might fly back to Rome, prices are low and it is quicker.

Another advantage of flying back from Bari is that it is probably simpler to drop the car at the Bari airport. It might even be simpler to go to the Bari airport if your last stop is Matera. But making Matera your first stop also gives you the opportunity to enjoy something of the scenery on your way to Matera and even stop for lunch in an interesting hilltown. You'll feel like you need to keep moving along if your ultimate target is Lecce.

Just so you know, the Bari airport is a really nice facility. It's small but good.

When we did Puglia we flew into Bari from Rome and visited Matera first. From the airport, you can take a 6E bus (return ticket) to Matera, which one reserves ahead.

Here is the booking link: http://pugliairbus.aeroportidipuglia.it/default.aspx
We registered first to create an account.

So what I'm saying is that you could effectively return the car at the END of your journey to Bari, take the bus, visit Matera, take the bus back, and then fly back to Rome.

It is darn cheap.
AZ

Thank you all for your advice; we have decided to follow your suggestions and we will stop in Matera first. Sandra, Alessandra and Bilboburgler, I have also been thinking that flying from Bari to Rome would be very convenient - thanks!

Anyway, from Matera we will drive South to Lecce, our first base for exploring Salento. We will then head up North. And here is where I need your help: most sites suggest that Locorotondo is a great base for exploring that region (Valle d'Itria, etc.) but we're thinking of using Ostuni as a base instead.

Any thoughts on this? I'd really appreciate your comments and if you could recommend a nice hotel in either Locorotongo or Ostuni, it'd be great.

Thank you! thank you!

Martu518