Puglia

[Amy-Hikes]

In mid-March 2027, I'll be in Puglia for a conference. I'm flying into Bari. I have a week before the conference to travel. It is windy in March. Has anyone spent time in Puglia in the month of March? Do you have recommendations for a non-beach itinerary?

 

[Ian Sutton]

Not March, but early November, which might be comparable.

I wasn't taken by the beaches I saw, so maybe not the loss it might seem.

Bari a super airport to hire a car from. There's a long quiet service road to get to the autostrada, so decent chance to familiarise yourself with the controls / feel of the car. The autostrada relatively busy for the 3 exits around Bari itself, but then pleasantly quiet after that if continuing south.

We enjoyed day-tripping to the different towns e.g. Locorotondo, Martina Franca, Ostuni, etc. Each has a subtly different feel.

Driving is 95% pleasant and easy on wide open roads with great visibility and little traffic... and 5% stress-filled navigation through tight town streets, with one-way systems and funky junctions.

If wine is an interest, winery visits very much an option.

The cave system (Grotte di Castellana) might appeal, and I was speaking online with someone recently who was attending a Dante evening within the cave complex - that sounded interesting).

Trani a surprising place that's heavily influenced by historic Venetian ownership. Really rather attractive and perhaps best as a departure day stop, or just prior to your conference if dropping the car off.

 

[Alpinista]

See Matera while there.

 

[Tina]

There is so much to see in Puglia you can't go wrong. This is what we did for a week in early spring by public transport from Bari, but if you don't plan on returning to the area definitely see Matera.

Puglia - Bari in April - Trip report

A blog about travel, vacations and holidays in Italy and Spain with advice, tips and trip reports

slowtravelitalyspain.blogspot.com

 

[Amy-Hikes]

Not March, but early November, which might be comparable.

I wasn't taken by the beaches I saw, so maybe not the loss it might seem.

Bari a super airport to hire a car from. There's a long quiet service road to get to the autostrada, so decent chance to familiarise yourself with the controls / feel of the car. The autostrada relatively busy for the 3 exits around Bari itself, but then pleasantly quiet after that if continuing south.

We enjoyed day-tripping to the different towns e.g. Locorotondo, Martina Franca, Ostuni, etc. Each has a subtly different feel.

Driving is 95% pleasant and easy on wide open roads with great visibility and little traffic... and 5% stress-filled navigation through tight town streets, with one-way systems and funky junctions.

If wine is an interest, winery visits very much an option.

The cave system (Grotte di Castellana) might appeal, and I was speaking online with someone recently who was attending a Dante evening within the cave complex - that sounded interesting).

Trani a surprising place that's heavily influenced by historic Venetian ownership. Really rather attractive and perhaps best as a departure day stop, or just prior to your conference if dropping the car off.

Thanks so much for this information. This is reassuring. I expected driving to be just as you say and have experienced just that: 95% pleasant and easy and 5% stress-filled (in rural Tuscany, Italy and France). Grotte di Castellana is a good idea... near where I will be staying.

 

[Amy-Hikes]

See Matera while there.

Thanks. Will go! Did you hike from that area?

 

[Amy-Hikes]

There is so much to see in Puglia you can't go wrong. This is what we did for a week in early spring by public transport from Bari, but if you don't plan on returning to the area definitely see Matera.

Puglia - Bari in April - Trip report

A blog about travel, vacations and holidays in Italy and Spain with advice, tips and trip reports

slowtravelitalyspain.blogspot.com

Thanks Tina