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Started By
Message
Southern Italy Travel Planner ?
Posted on 1/15/26 at 1:20 pm
Posted on 1/15/26 at 1:20 pm
Been doing a lot of AI research on tour operators and options for smaller groups. We're interested in areas around the Amalfi coast and Puglia.
Want to sample the food and wine in some not so touristy places.
Any travel agents in Baton Rouge that might specialize in this area?
Or would we be okay with options like Firebird, Rick Steve's or a smaller boutique operator?
Want to sample the food and wine in some not so touristy places.
Any travel agents in Baton Rouge that might specialize in this area?
Or would we be okay with options like Firebird, Rick Steve's or a smaller boutique operator?
5
Posted on 1/15/26 at 2:32 pm to JoieDeVivre
You don't need a travel agent.
We did the Amalfi Coast a few years ago.
We flew in to Naples and got www.transferelax.com to drive us to Positano. We stayed at Villa Gabrisa, a family run B&B type of place. They have 3 rooms on the second floor with large private terraces overlooking the Mediterranean. Incredible views. And there are several excellent restaurants nearby. It is not cheap, but it is not super expensive either because it is a little hike up the hill from the beach.
From Positano you can take day trips to the other towns along the coast fy ferry. We went to Capri, Ravello and the Town of Amalfi.
Fantastic trip.
We did the Amalfi Coast a few years ago.
We flew in to Naples and got www.transferelax.com to drive us to Positano. We stayed at Villa Gabrisa, a family run B&B type of place. They have 3 rooms on the second floor with large private terraces overlooking the Mediterranean. Incredible views. And there are several excellent restaurants nearby. It is not cheap, but it is not super expensive either because it is a little hike up the hill from the beach.
From Positano you can take day trips to the other towns along the coast fy ferry. We went to Capri, Ravello and the Town of Amalfi.
Fantastic trip.
Posted on 1/16/26 at 5:38 am to JoieDeVivre
I have a house in Southern Italy (right below Bari).
You don't need a travel agent. I recommend renting a car and picking one city as a base. You can make day trips to a bunch of cities with a car. Some great cities to visit:
Monopoli
Martina Franca
Ostuni
Brindisi
Lecce
Alberobello
Polignano a Mare
You don't need a travel agent. I recommend renting a car and picking one city as a base. You can make day trips to a bunch of cities with a car. Some great cities to visit:
Monopoli
Martina Franca
Ostuni
Brindisi
Lecce
Alberobello
Polignano a Mare
Posted on 1/16/26 at 7:47 am to geauxpurple
I'll second transferrelax. We stayed on the other side at Capo La Gala. It was a great hotel although it's a little bit far away. Transferrelax made it a nonissue
Posted on 1/16/26 at 7:49 am to TheOcean
Wow that sounds very interesting.
I'm having a hard time deciding between something like you're saying or doing a Rome, Florence, Amalfi Coast tour.
It's our first trip abroad.
I'm having a hard time deciding between something like you're saying or doing a Rome, Florence, Amalfi Coast tour.
It's our first trip abroad.
Posted on 1/16/26 at 7:56 am to JoieDeVivre
Probably stick with the standard italy trip -- rome, Florence, etc. Once you go to Italy more than once it is fun to explore some of the other areas of the country.
Posted on 1/16/26 at 8:07 am to TheOcean
quote:Upvote for Lecce.
Some great cities to visit:
Monopoli
Martina Franca
Ostuni
Brindisi
Lecce
Alberobello
Polignano a Mare
Posted on 1/16/26 at 11:19 am to Pepperoni
Damn, I want to see it all!
I'm 70 years old and this will most likely be our one and only trip there.
I'm budgeting $5000 pp excluding air.
Trying to prioritize where to go and what to see.
Will travel in May of 2027.
Want to avoid large tour groups.
I'm 70 years old and this will most likely be our one and only trip there.
I'm budgeting $5000 pp excluding air.
Trying to prioritize where to go and what to see.
Will travel in May of 2027.
Want to avoid large tour groups.
Posted on 1/16/26 at 2:28 pm to TheOcean
quote:
I have a house in Southern Italy (right below Bari).
I know someone that bought an apt for like $40,000 outside of Rome. I'm curious what the costs to maintain a home in Italy would be? Real estate is generally very affordable.
Costs like Taxes, minimal utilities when not in use, etc. I'm not that serious, but could be. I don't need to derail the thread though. I'd be curious to read your experience on the Moneyboard or another thread here.
Posted on 1/16/26 at 2:33 pm to JoieDeVivre
quote:
I'm 70 years old and this will most likely be our one and only trip there.
I'm budgeting $5000 pp excluding air.
How long are you going?
Where are you flying out of?
Are you retired? As in very flexible with dates? Like fly on Tuesdays sort of thing?
$5000 is a ton in Italy. Outside of lodging in big cities during peak times, fancy americanized things like tours, etc. you can visit there for very cheap.
Set some flight trackers. 2 people could easily do Italy for 2 weeks on $8000 including airfare.
Now you can easily spend $8000 each a week too. But it doesn't have to be expensive.
Posted on 1/16/26 at 4:30 pm to baldona
We'd be flying from New Orleans (MSY).
We can travel on any day and considering a stay of 9 or 10 nights.
We can travel on any day and considering a stay of 9 or 10 nights.
Posted on 1/16/26 at 5:55 pm to baldona
My buddy who travels a ton found an awesome historic house in Monopoli. It's four stories, right in the historic center, and overlooks the ocean. I think we paid 430k for it? Maybe put another 20k into it.
Getting a loan was surprisingly easy in Italy, too.
Costs are pretty cheap. Property taxes are i think $500/year. Water is cheap. Electricity is the only thing that is expensive. We rent it out during the high season and they pays for everything
Getting a loan was surprisingly easy in Italy, too.
Costs are pretty cheap. Property taxes are i think $500/year. Water is cheap. Electricity is the only thing that is expensive. We rent it out during the high season and they pays for everything
Posted on 1/16/26 at 10:38 pm to JoieDeVivre
I’ve been to Europe several times but never on a tour. For a first trip abroad, though, a tour can be appealing— traveling with like minded individuals and help with language barriers. A tour also eliminates car rentals in Italy.
You mentioned Rick Steves tours—they’re very well regarded per reviews and tend to fill quickly:
LINK https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/italy
Here is a general cost overview via AI.
LINK https://www.budgetyourtrip.com/italy/tours-cost-t_seniors
You mentioned Rick Steves tours—they’re very well regarded per reviews and tend to fill quickly:
LINK https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/italy
Here is a general cost overview via AI.
LINK https://www.budgetyourtrip.com/italy/tours-cost-t_seniors
Posted on 1/18/26 at 9:52 pm to JoieDeVivre
Following for upcoming trip.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 11:27 am to JoieDeVivre
You mentioned wanting something away from Touristy areas. We stayed in a house almost to the tip of the Sorrentine Peninsula in Marciano. There’s a point that sticks out called Punta Massa Lubrense. We were right above that. Was very quiet and had an amazing house overlooking the gulf of Naples and Capri. You’re close to Sorrento but not too close. You can easily take a day trip to Pompeii or spend a day on a boat and visit Amalfi, Positano, etc by water.
It’s already been said but get a driver. Those roads are a nightmare for anyone not used to them.
It’s already been said but get a driver. Those roads are a nightmare for anyone not used to them.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 11:56 am to JoieDeVivre
Went to puglia last September with the fiancee and I would highly recommend. Polignano A Mare is a stunning town and I could not speak anymore highly about staying there for 3-4 nights. They have some stunning airbnb/booking.com places for reasonable prices. Bari is a smaller airport so will likely need connecting flights to get too but that region of Italy we absolutely loved.
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