We scheduled a trip last year to Puglia that had to be canceled. Italy is open to us this year as we are vaccinated and we decided to brave it. Italy is in the white zone and wherever we went, Italians were very mindful about wearing masks. We flew into Bari and did a one way car rental, swooping down to the heel of the boot, then up to Rome. We found service to be exceptional wherever we went with none of the shortfalls found in the US due to staffing restrictions and cost cutting. It was a pleasure to travel where luxury really was luxurious. We chose small hotels, both because that is always my preference and because I felt safer during Covid to have few people around me. I scoured this forum for information and want to credit those who influenced my choices.

Our itinerary was as follows:

1. San Michele Suite, Polignano e Mare - 40 minute drive south of Bari Airport - suggested by wanderlustFL
2. Palazzo Daniele, Salento
3. La Fiermontina, Lecce - [MENTION=6221]normcpa[/MENTION], [MENTION=3309]lalala[/MENTION] and [MENTION=8873]Tax Dude[/MENTION] have stayed here
4. Palazzo Viceconte, Matera - [MENTION=8873]Tax Dude[/MENTION] recommendation
5. Hotel in Sperlonga area, not worthy of review - had a real struggle finding something yet persevered both due to sights in area and Michelin restaurant where I wanted to eat
6. La Posta Vechhia, Ladispoli, outside Rome near Rome Airport, suggested by offerendum