Thank you so much for your tips. We sort of changed our plans since I posted, 4 nights at Borgo Bianco in Polignano Al Mare - that will be our base for day trips to Monopoli, Locorotondo, Cisternino, and visit a winery. The winery I'm interested is in Lecce. Then 4 nights at Borgo Egnazia where we will do a day trip to Alberobello in the morning, and we want to do a boat trip to Otranto, and the rest of the time we just want to enjoy the hotel, is there enough at Borgo to keep us busy? . After your review I am tempted to add 2 nights at Rocco Forte property. I am guessing the resort has enough to keep us occupied for 2 nights? We will be landing in rome and flying out of rome. We might also end up adding two nights in Lecce.
Originally Posted by
wanderlustFL
Hi, we spent 12 days in Puglia in 2019. We started in Lecce (Fiermontina Urban Resort) for 4 nights, then 5 nights at the Borgo and then 2 nights at the newly branded Rocco Forte property (Masseria Torre Maizza). We flew in/out of Brindisi. We rented a car for the entire trip. Our observations:
1. the hotels we chose were terrific. Borgo is amazing and easily our favorite resort hotel in Europe. They have a wonderful beach club even though the property is not directly on the water.. Fiermontina in Lecce is an excellent property located in the city center, highly recommended. We also loved the Roco Forte property which has a much more small scale boutique feel and the original masseria remains the center piece of the resort. Not nearly as grand as Borgo but an excellent alternative if you are seeking a more intimate experience. Absolutely worth dining at the charming restaurant too.
2. We were very glad we rented a car as that is really the only easy way to cover a lot of ground. From Lecce we traced the coast line of the heel down on the western shore from Otrano to Santa Maria de Leuca. Stunning vistas that reminded us of the Pacific Coast Highway in California, only with a more tropical flair reflective of the warmer climate. Beautiful grottos to stop along the way too. Another highlight was a day trip to Gallipoli. It is not big a town but very picturesque.
3. Lecce itself is quite charming and an excellent base from which to explore the southern regions of Puglia
3. From Lecce we stopped in Ostuni on the way to Borgo. A shimmering white village highly recommended
4, From Borgo Egnazia we drove to the most famous Truli town, Alberobello. It was quit charming but really loaded with tourists.
5. Also from Borgo, we took a day trip to Matera, not technically in Puglia but adjacent in the region called Basilicata. That town was spectacular. In the center is the ancient village which appears to be carved out of steep cliffs and you descend by foot into this area. Extremely unique and very photogenic (as if Italy does not already have enough beautiful towns and vistas)
6. Directly on the coast near Savelletri where Borgo is located sits the village of Polignano a Mare. For us, except for the spectacular cave dwellings in Matera, this was easily the prettiest village we visited. It is ringed by steep cliffs which add a lot of drama to the setting. And you can stay here too (we checked out San Michele Suites and would choose this as our base if staying locally).
7. We briefly encountered Bari on the way to Matera. In our view, while I am sure, like many Italian towns, the historic center has its charms, it appears to be a large congested modern Italian city. Too busy for our tastes.
Hope this helps!