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On visiting Italy this year, I decided to stick to the south and discover some popular locations and some slightly unknown ones as well. You can fly into either Bari or Brindisi when visiting Puglia. I flew into Brindisi and took the train out of Bari and covered a large part of the region doing it this way. First stop was the beautiful Masseria Trapana a meticulously restored old farmhouse set behind stone walls in the middle of 60 hectares of olive groves. To have a car is advantageous to visit the town of Lecce nearby or any of the other nearby villages; however, it is very doable without a car as transportation is easy to organise. The towns of Lecce (only 20 minutes’ away), Ostuni, Monopoli, Polignano a Mare and Alberobello are all within 1-2 hours’ drive of the Masseria, making this the perfect place to base yourself. From there I ventured north-west to a small village called Beralda. Whilst there’s not a lot to see in this hillside village other than the Francis Ford Coppola owned former palace Palazzo Margherita it is a beautiful oasis to base yourself when wanting to visit Matera, the oldest city in the world, which is famous for its cave dwellings carved into the rocks. The former palace is set within a magical garden and is adorned with wonderful movie memorabilia from bygone years. Rome is always a good idea, and I always try to visit outside of June-August when the heat is extreme and the crowds are there in their thousands. It was only a short stop but long enough to enjoy the hospitality at Villa Spalletti Trivelli and their Pomario winery only 1 hour’s drive north of Rome. Both are owned by the Spalletti family, who welcome guests in with open arms. From Rome, I headed south and did a tour of the ancient Roman town of Herculaneum, buried under ash from the Mt Vesuvius eruption of 79AD, as was Pompeii. The final destination on the Amalfi Coast was the newly-built Borgo Santandrea Amalfi hotel, quite possibly the most beautiful hotel and location I’ve ever stayed at. It’s impossible to describe how majestic this hotel was, built into the cliff with its own private beach and jetty; with incredible Michelin star dining and service to die for. This is a must for anyone wanting the most special experience of their lives. Boat days are the best on the Amalfi coast and visiting Positano, Amalfi, Praiano and Sorrento is possible before heading to the island of Ischia. This relatively untouched piece of paradise sits close to Capri and the gorgeous fishing village of Procida, all in the Gulf of Naples. Set atop of the hill, is the San Montano Resort & Spa, with majestic views of the island and home to 11 thermal pools, it is the pick of accommodation on Ischia. From there it was a 50-minute ferry to Naples and a 1-hour flight to Palermo in Sicily. Hiring a car is necessary in Sicily in order to get around, however the parking scenario can sometimes be tricky. My advice is to talk to your hotel prior to arrival, to find out the best place to park or access the hotel as there are many pedestrian only streets that don’t allow cars. The best way to see Sicily is in a circle with the main stops being Palermo, Cefalu, Taormina, Noto, Syracuse and Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples on the way back to Palermo. Alternatively, you can start of finish at Catania, if flights and schedule are better. However, with a bit more time up your sleeves, you can also venture to the Aeolian Islands (from Cefalu or Taormina), Mt Etna + Ortigia Island and Marzimemi near Syracuse. There’s so much to see and do on the island of Sicily – 7 days minimum. I stayed in some memorable hotels to tempt you for your next trip there. Villa Igiea, A Rocco Forte Hotel, Palermo Belmond Grand Timeo, Taormina (near Greek theatre on hill) Villa Sant'Andrea, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina Mare (beachside) Q92, a Small Leading Hotel of the World, Noto Comments are closed.
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