South West Italy
May 3rd, 2017, 12:39 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
South West Italy
I think I want to travel to SW Italy for my 9th visit to Italy. I have visited all the large cities several times and now enjoy the small quaint villages. I also want the convenience of traveling from town to town by train, bus or walking. Renting a car is not fun so that is out!
I heard about a village that has small round "houses" but don't know what town they are in.
Would appreciate any and all feedback.
I heard about a village that has small round "houses" but don't know what town they are in.
Would appreciate any and all feedback.
May 3rd, 2017, 01:53 PM
#2
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 7,342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
May 4th, 2017, 01:45 AM
#4
"all the large cities", emh what do you call large?
If you are lookiing for Trulli (circular dry stone walls) then you need Puglia (or Apulia in American) which is south east.
Fly into Birdisi or Bari, or Train into Tarento from Rome.
If you are lookiing for Trulli (circular dry stone walls) then you need Puglia (or Apulia in American) which is south east.
Fly into Birdisi or Bari, or Train into Tarento from Rome.
May 4th, 2017, 04:45 AM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you for all the information including my navigation error. I live on Cape Cod where East is sometimes West and North goes South. Not easy giving directions. Yes, I meant SE and I've been to Rome, Naples, Florence, Milan, Genoa, Cinque Terre, Largo de Como and Garda, Venice and many towns in between. Never been South East.
Another question: Should I use a travel agency or just do it on my own? I do want to stay in a Trulli and possibly the caves.
Another question: Should I use a travel agency or just do it on my own? I do want to stay in a Trulli and possibly the caves.
May 4th, 2017, 05:06 AM
#6
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 7,956
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Once you get below Bologna, it's just "southern Italy". If you're going to the coast, however, you would mention which sea it's on. Anyway, Alberobello is more to the east than to the west of the peninsula.
For most of your traveling around this area, Bari would probably be the best base. It's on a main train line and has connections by train and bus to most other cities in the area.
http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en
Alberbello isn't on a major train line, but it's served by a little regional railway.
https://www.fseonline.it/index.aspx
You might also want to visit Matera, with its cliff houses carved out of the tufa rock. It's served by a different regional railway.
http://ferrovieappulolucane.it/
I highly recommend a visit to Castel del Monte, a beautiful 12th century castle, very different from most medieval castles, with an almost modern aspect. You can get there from Bari by taking the train to Andria and a bus from there.
Although I've never been there, I've heard that Lecce is a beautiful city, with many baroque buildings.
In Bari itself, don't miss the cathedral of San Nicola (Saint Nicholas).
For most of your traveling around this area, Bari would probably be the best base. It's on a main train line and has connections by train and bus to most other cities in the area.
http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en
Alberbello isn't on a major train line, but it's served by a little regional railway.
https://www.fseonline.it/index.aspx
You might also want to visit Matera, with its cliff houses carved out of the tufa rock. It's served by a different regional railway.
http://ferrovieappulolucane.it/
I highly recommend a visit to Castel del Monte, a beautiful 12th century castle, very different from most medieval castles, with an almost modern aspect. You can get there from Bari by taking the train to Andria and a bus from there.
Although I've never been there, I've heard that Lecce is a beautiful city, with many baroque buildings.
In Bari itself, don't miss the cathedral of San Nicola (Saint Nicholas).
May 4th, 2017, 06:38 PM
#7
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 23,363
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Puglia is easy to figure out on your own. There are many lodgings located in trulli, but these tend to be dark inside. One I know first hand is Villa Cenci near Cisternino but there are many others in all price ranges. Public transport is not as good as in other regions. I always rented a car. But you will be able to get around without one,, it will just take longer.
It is also easy to find cave lodging in Matera. This fantastically interesting city is in Basilicata where there is also a lot to see.
I wrote reports about two of my three trips to these regions; clock on my name to find them.
It is also easy to find cave lodging in Matera. This fantastically interesting city is in Basilicata where there is also a lot to see.
I wrote reports about two of my three trips to these regions; clock on my name to find them.
May 4th, 2017, 11:18 PM
#8
Lecce is beautiful
Stay in a Masseria, an ancient fortified farm, often with Trulli in the grounds, now middle-classed with TVs and candles..
A lot of Trulli were built as sheds to hold tools in fields far from houses to save dragging them home every night. Allerbello has a quarter of these things in what the poverty side of the town, now a world Heritage centre.
Much as I like using trains, I honestly think you'll need a car.
Stay in a Masseria, an ancient fortified farm, often with Trulli in the grounds, now middle-classed with TVs and candles..
A lot of Trulli were built as sheds to hold tools in fields far from houses to save dragging them home every night. Allerbello has a quarter of these things in what the poverty side of the town, now a world Heritage centre.
Much as I like using trains, I honestly think you'll need a car.
