My husband and I are going to Italy the first 2 weeks in May. We are going to fly into Naples and spend 5 nights in Positano. We'll visit Sorrento, Amalfi coast, and Capri.. Then we'll go back to Naples and take a train to Bari. We have lodging in Matera, Lecce, and Bari. We are going to rent a car in Bari to go to Matera and Lecce. Then we'll take train back to Naples for 2 nights, but will take train to Pompeii for one day, before flying home. My question is-- how does this sound? We wanted to see the areas where it is more remote than the big tourist cities. We did the Florence, Rome, and Venice, with a week in Tuscany in 2006. Loved it... But still a little uncertain about the route we are taking. Can anyone give me advice? Thanks, Barb

It sounds rushed to me, but it could work -- I think I'm not fully understanding your plan.

Rather than going back to Naples in order to go to Bari, check the options out of Salerno. (I'm not sure which will work best for you -- just suggesting that you check.) I went by bus from Salerno to Matera, then train to Bari, and either train or bus (I forget!) to Lecce. (If Salerno works for your purposes, also consider a visit to magnificent Paestum.)

If you want to rent a car, go for it -- but you can get to Matera, Lecce, and Bari without one.

It sounds like you could benefit from a guide book that provides good coverage of transportation options. I found the Rough Guide particularly helpful.

Also, are you sure you want to visit Sorrento?

May is a lovely time of year to be visiting these wonderful places. Enjoy!

Thanks for your response. Your right that I need help with the transportation. Our biggest concern, is getting to these towns as quickly as possible. We are afraid the buses take too long. I need to find out how quickly we can get to Salerno from Positano, then from Salerno to Matera, as you suggested. The reason we were going to Bari first was because the train looked to be the fastest way to get over to the east coast. Our main goal is to see Matera, Lecce , and the small towns around there., thus the car rental. Then we need to get back to Naples. And we thought Pompeii was much closer to Naples than Positano, so we thought we'd wait to go there from Naples on the train.

I know this sounds really confusing, but we want to see as much as possible, with the shortest amount of travel time.

Get your car in Sorrento or Salerno and drive to Puglia---the train is just an added step that is not needed.

Here is the AC in full bloom:
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4481

Bob, you're killin'me with those photos! I'm dying here with longing....

Actually the train can be part of the holiday, the train from Napoli to Taranto takes you through steep cut gorges and along tall viaducts. If you go slightly further north (on the track through Gravina) the train becomes single track and passes through fields putting up pheasant.

I'd take the train to Taranto and hire from there. You can fly back to Rome from Bridisi or Bari for very little money. Watch out for car hire in the south of Italy as there is often an extra Theft Insurance element due to it being,,, the south.

Now I'm a bit nervous about going to the south of Italy. "Bilboburgler" sounded like my car could get stolen there. Is the Puglia area unsafe? I'm nervous enough going to a foreign country without worrying that it isn't safe. Help.

Another subject-- we would like to rent a driver to take us on the Amalfi Coast for a day. Our B&B host said it's very expensive. Any suggestions on how to do this?

Puglia is not unsafe...we loved our week there. We had No problems with car theft...I think the stats are higher but just take the regular precautions for preventing theft. It's not like there are gangs carjacking...I think just more car thefts when there is no one in the car, like overnight! Lock the doors, don't leave stuff in view etc and you will be fine!

Here is our trip report - the last half is Puglia and it may allay your fears

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...t-do-italy.cfm

And our photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gir...7635047994978/

Thanks jamikins. I'll read your trip report. I may have more questions.

no not un safe, but this is italy, so you put stuff out of sight in the car, it's just an issue for comparison pricing

OK, guys, I need help figuring out how to get a toll road pass, so we don't incur really large fees from the rental car company. Can we purchase one like we do in the states?
Barb

Another questions.. Most of the B&Bs we are staying in only accept euros in payment. I know the bigger towns have ATMs, but not sure about places like Positano, Lecce, Matera, Alberobello? Don't want to get stranded with out euros to pay them with. Would much rather use credit cards, but sounds like it won't be possible. Has anyone else had this issue?

Lecce and Matera are not small places and I can't imagine that you would have difficulty finding an ATM in either. Even Alberobello has multiple ATMs that work with CIRRUS MasterCards:
http://www.mastercard.us/cardholder-...m-locator.html

IME, many places in the area will take credit cards.

All of those places have banks...matera and Lecce are actually quite large!