Written onboard: This isn’t exactly a “fast train” – it’s making several stops between Bari (in Puglia) and Rome but it’s 4.5 hours, faster than other trains we spotted that took 6 or 7 hours. And the price is right — 16 euro (about $20). The train left about 10 minutes late. It’s a good thing we booked ahead. The seats are comfortable but train is full and there’s not a ton of leg room. I am trying to avoid footsie with the long legged young man across the table from us, who occasionally nuzzles his female companion.
There is supposed to be Wi-Fi but it’s spotty. Initially the train was moving in the direction of our seats, north along the Adriatic coast but after a few stops we’ve now moving backwards, northwest through mountains.
I am glad we finally made it to Puglia. Matera was the highlight, which is technically in Basilicata, not Puglia. It’s unlike any place I’ve ever been and, better yet, we felt like we got to know people there (our guides, Airbnb host) who offered insights about life there. Our little trulli house worked well. It was interesting to be the only tourists in a little Puglian backwater. We didn’t see the Adriatic coastal resort towns like Polignano properly or get north to the gargano pennusula or south to Otranto or other Salento region spots in Italy’s heel. Next trip.
Next trip, we also will have an international drivers license, the lack of which almost messed up our trip because our original rental car agency wouldn’t give us the car we’d reserved. Puglia is hard to explore without a car, especially val d’itrea’s pretty backroads (where our trulli was located). Train service is limited. Fortunately we found another rental agency nearby that would rent us a car. We also got an international license online but word has it a physical copy, beyond a digital copy, is required. Apparently the license rules changed recently because we have never had this issue. (And the car rental company did not properly warn us.) We rented in France last year and in Italy two years ago with US licenses and passports.
This was the first trip that I used my new global entry and it did little good. I know this because dirck has yet to receive even an interview for his global entry (while mine took only a few weeks). So I used TSA preselect to depart and global entry to return. In both cases, Dirck was only a few minutes later using regular check-in, which also no longer requires that shoes be removed. So I see little benefit to global entry so far. Maybe during busier holiday travel when lines are longer it will pay off.
One of our guides in Matera, Silvio, offers his services and rental property to others. Below is contact info:
Least but not last: in case you or your friends are coming here in Basilicata and you want to explore not only Matera but also the surrounding areas of the Basilicata Region, please contact me because I have a Penthouse in Bernalda (between Matera and Metaponto Beach for 6 people: https://www.guidearoundmatera.it/index.php/en/b-b-2)
Silvio SCOCUZZA
Professional Tour Guide Italian, English & German for Basilicata & Puglia
Technical Director of Travel Agency – Travel Advisor
Tel. +39 3924725785 – PIVA/VAT 01281750776
Information for tours and activities
Email: info@guidearoundmatera.it – Website: www.guidearoundmatera.it
Information for Bernaldabella Penthouse Holiday Home
Email: bernaldabella@guidearoundmatera.it Website:https://www.guidearoundmatera.it/index.php/it/b-b
TakeBetsywithyou 